When are you supposed to start counting kicks?

SeminoleJessica

And how many are there supposed to be?

I dont think Im there yet, which is good bc she doesnt kick every hour yet, I hope that's normal!

cluiss1

According to the books and my dr, you should start the kick count at 28 wks.  My dr suggested picking a time in the morning and evening to lay on my left side.  The baby should kick at least 10 times within an hour.  If not, he said to drink so juice and see if it wakes the baby up.

CurlyM-C

Is she ever supposed to every kick every hour?? I think they are supposed to sleep like 12 hours a day, right? I totally ruined my last weekend worrying about kicks (even though I was only 22wks & it's crazy) and today she's dancing up a storm. I think we've got a while before there is supposed to be real consistency.

maramarrie

I asked my doc yesterday when we should really be aware of the kicks. He said that for right now you should just be getting to know your baby's pattern (slow at day, active at night; or slow every other day, etc.) and as the baby grows you won't feel as many kicks as you do now. He said at this point there is the most fluid to the baby's size proportionately so the baby has the most room to stretch and get some big kicks in. Doc said as the baby grows there won't be as much room for such big movements and you'll just feel squirming. Once you know the baby's pattern though, you can tell when the squirming just isn't enough. Most docs don't tell you to count until after 28 weeks, but I think my doc is more of a "you know the pattern, if the pattern changes let us know" rather than "if you don't feel this many kicks call us." Because each baby is different, kick counts could be different for "lazier" babies.