(Update) Failed Kick Count

victoria+james · August 2014

Baby boy failed his kick count this morning. I even ate a spoonful of frosting part way through because 1. it looked delicious and 2. to see if it would get him moving.

Should I just try again in a few hours or does a failed kick count mean call the doc immediately? I'm not terribly panicked because my damn anterior placenta has been making feeling his kicks pretty hard to begin with. I just wasn't sure what the protocol was for this.

Side note - I just finally was able to stop calling in about frequent contractions so I didn't want to call prematurely and start being treated like the boy who cried wolf.

Update
Wasn't able to feel baby boy moving pretty much all day so they had me come in to check on him - he's perfectly fine - my anterior placenta is blocking like 99% of his movement though.

So for now they want me to just monitor any movement and if in a week or so I can't feel movement more regularly they'll just have me go in once or twice a week so they can check on him.

Luckily I don't live too far from my doctor so if that's the route we go it shouldn't be much of an inconvenience at all.

Thank you for all of the advice!

Raesofsunshine1 · August 2014

Did you count every movement you felt or just the ones you thought were kicks?

My dr told me to try drinking a little caffeine and laying down on my left side for a little bit.

Maybe give it one more hour and then call if it is the same? Try not to worry about bugging them!

victoria+james · August 2014

@FamousEa‌ - I had some ginger ale with my frosting and OJ with breakfast just a few minutes before... I love all the drinks!

@Raesofsunshine1‌ - I count every movement except hiccups (per my doc), but he didn't have any of those during that time either.

Raesofsunshine1 · August 2014

T & Ps to you! It cant hurt to call and see what they want you to do! I know how worrisome it is.

megaddie · August 2014

My boy doesn't always get to ten kicks...my doctor said to do them during times when he is normally active. If I tried to do it in the middle of the day, he'd probably fail because he gets lulled by me being busy (so the doctor said).

lrobi13 · August 2014

My lo has some lazy days and it is scary but then the next day he won't stop. Maybe Baby is feeling super nappish today and can't be bothered! Hope he passes the next test!

DaniGrace89 · August 2014

My baby girl failed a 2 hour kick count and then the next morning I called my doctor. The nurse told me to eat lots of sugar and try again. She failed again. My doctor had me come right in and sent me straight for an ultrasound. At which point, baby girl decided to start moving like a maniac. The doctor said I had an anterior placenta (which nobody told me before) and he said the baby was probably wedged and got unstuck.

He also told me the following. Disclaimer! This is one doctor's opinion. He said that babies in utero can sleep for up to 4 hours at a time so if there is no movement for 6 hours to call. He also said that kick counts if you aren't high risk actually cause more anxiety than good.

That all being said...call your doctor and check it out.

cozybluebear · August 2014

I wouldn't be too worries because you are at least feeling some kicks. I'd wait until baby starts kicking again and then restart. I know my little pumpkin usually goes nuts at bedtime. Keep in mind, as baby gets bigger and runs out of room, you may feel less activity.

pinkshades05 · August 2014

Is this a time when he's usually active? Maybe try again in an hour or two. I forget the protocol for this, but never hesitate to call your doctor if you are worried.

Glas43 · August 2014

Yeah my doc said to eat something augary and lay on my side and count again. But i also wouldnt hesitate to call your soc if you feel it is out of the norm for your LO.

Saragoeswest · August 2014

Looking forward to an update! Hope all is well. Don't be scared to call in.

MrsSarahRenee · August 2014

Another vote for call. If nothing else, it will put your mind at ease.

Let us know how it goes also!

TinyTRex321 · August 2014

If you are worried then call. My doctors office doesn't have patients do kick counts.

Emerald27 · August 2014

Thinking of you!! Hope LO is moving a lot more now.

Crazy question, but how many of you actually do real kick counts? I confirmed with the MW that I'm only "supposed to" do kick counts when I think I haven't felt LO move in a while. Otherwise, I'm just to try to be conscious of his general movements throughout the day.

ADH0906 · August 2014

Emerald27 said:
Thinking of you!! Hope LO is moving a lot more now.

Crazy question, but how many of you actually do real kick counts? I confirmed with the MW that I'm only "supposed to" do kick counts when I think I haven't felt LO move in a while. Otherwise, I'm just to try to be conscious of his general movements throughout the day.

My midwife has never mentioned them.

pnwlover12 · August 2014

Emerald27 said:
Thinking of you!! Hope LO is moving a lot more now.

Crazy question, but how many of you actually do real kick counts? I confirmed with the MW that I'm only "supposed to" do kick counts when I think I haven't felt LO move in a while. Otherwise, I'm just to try to be conscious of his general movements throughout the day.

Same. We don't do kick counts regularly. I think it's sort of a stressor in general. As long as you feel your baby move throughout the day you don't need to record 10 kicks every hour.

MrsSarahRenee · August 2014

Emerald27 said:
Thinking of you!! Hope LO is moving a lot more now.

Crazy question, but how many of you actually do real kick counts? I confirmed with the MW that I'm only "supposed to" do kick counts when I think I haven't felt LO move in a while. Otherwise, I'm just to try to be conscious of his general movements throughout the day.

They gave me a worksheet that I have to fill out everyday and bring to my appointments with start and end times!

MrsMac613 · August 2014

I'm high risk but my doctors haven't asked me to do kick counts yet. They just ask if I'm feeling regular movement. If you are really worried I would try again around a different time and maybe then call your doctor if you aren't satisfied. That's what they are there for.

DaniGrace89 · August 2014

@Emerald27‌ I don't do them anymore. After my last scare...my doctor told me not to do them. He said that they cause more anxiety than good.

MuffinMom14 · August 2014

I'm another one that really doesn't do kick counts. I think that's just enough to make me bonkers. I will say that one day, I didn't feel her that much, but she was back to being crazy town the next day. I talked to the nurse about it when I went in for my check-up, and she said that babies have lazy days, too.

I second what everyone's saying about calling if you feel anxious, but if you DO still feel movement, it's probably ok. No one is going to be mad if you DO call.

I also always feel the baby when I'm on my side, no matter what, so definitely try that. I'll roll over to my side and there she is. Roll over to the other side an hour later, knock-knock. I've established a pattern by now, and I don't get too freaked if I don't feel her through the day because I'm busy and might not really notice.

golfingdarwinfish · August 2014

Hope it was nothing and that LO is now active!

I'm high risk and was instructed to establish LO's baseline, and to call L&D if there are deviations from his baseline. My MFM said he prefers that approach to regimented kick counts, especially when an anterior placenta is involved.

LaDyBostonRN · August 2014

We don't tell our patients to do kick counts, but we do say to keep an eye on what is normal daily activity for YOUR baby. Any deviation from that, call.

Like PP have said, if your gut tells you something is wrong you should call. Keep us posted!

Liss1481 · August 2014

Glad your little guy is doing well! That sucks about your anterior placenta though

bumpuser10309732 · August 2014

Glad LO's ok! Hopefully you feel better today ;-)

victoria+james · August 2014

Thanks @jalara48‌ @Liss1481‌ & @MrsBabe614‌ - I'm a little sulky that I can't feel him better since that was one of the things I most looked forward to with pregnancy. But I'll take what I can get, and healthy is always more important

lrobi13 · August 2014

Thanks for the update and glad to hear the lo is doing just fine!

Glas43 · August 2014

Glad all is well!!

[Deleted User] · August 2014

Glad to hear everything is fine!

Thewizardofrhythm · August 2014

I was told by my doc that 10 kicks every two hours in an average. Meaning sometimes there is less and sometimes more. Also, I've read several things stating that there is not connection between kick counts and fetal health unless thy are not moving at all for a prolonged period of time. I've decided not to count. My boy is moving around a bunch each day. I think at this time in pregnancy the goal is to be as serene as possible. I don't want another thing to stress me out.