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Charting Your Kick Counts

by Lisa Rodriguez, R.N. and Marjorie Greenfield, M.D.
reviewed and revised by Marjorie Greenfield, M.D.
We have developed a chart to make it easier for you to keep track of your baby's movements. You can print it and use it as you need to.

When doing kick counts, count the number of times you feel your baby move, including kicks, rolling movements, and flutters. Any fetal movements you feel are significant. You should record the amount of time it takes for the baby to make 10 movements. You may want to make a mark for each movement until ten, and then note the time. If you feel no fetal movements after an hour, eat or drink something. If you still feel no fetal movements after two hours, you should call your practitioner.

It is a good idea to try to have some quiet time so you can concentrate on what you are doing. The best time to do kick counts is after you eat a meal-that's when most women find that their babies move more noticeably.

Some practitioners believe you should do kick counts on your own twice a day in the third trimester to assure fetal well-being, while others recommend doing it only if you have a high risk pregnancy or are concerned that the baby is not moving as much as expected.

 RELATED INFORMATION
*  Induction of Labor
*  The Developing Fetus, Weeks 25-40
*  Fetal Assessment


Created March 16, 2001
Reviewed and revised August 05, 2004
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