Question
What is the definitive guide to fetal kick counts by Hilary Erickson?
1 answer · 0 votes
fetal kick countsHilary Ericksonpregnancy tips
Answer
From Hilary Erickson0 votes
Fetal kick counts are a way to monitor your baby's well-being during pregnancy. Here's a summary of my advice:
- Start daily kick counts at the beginning of the third trimester (around 26–28 weeks). This is when babies typically establish a recognizable movement pattern.
- Use the Count the Kicks app to track your baby's movements. It's free and available in over 20 languages.
- Count any fetal movement (kicks, rolls, pokes, jabs, swishes) except hiccups. Focus on pattern consistency over time rather than comparing to a fixed standard like “10 kicks in 2 hours.”
- The app allows for note-taking, monitoring movement strength, and creating a graph for clear visualization of your baby’s movement history—helpful for discussing with healthcare providers.
- Changes in a baby’s movement pattern (either slower or faster) should always be reported to a healthcare provider, as they can indicate potential problems with either baby or mom’s health.
Remember, every baby—and pregnancy—is different; the key is to learn what’s normal for your individual baby instead of comparing to others or strict timeframes.
Do you have any specific questions about kick counts?
