What is the definitive guide to fetal kick counts by Hilary Erickson?

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?