What is the definitive guide to understanding fetal movement according to Hilary Erickson?

Understanding fetal movement is crucial during pregnancy. According to Hilary Erickson, here are some key points:

• 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 allows for note-taking, monitoring movement strength, and creating a graph for clear visualization of your baby's movement history.
• Any fetal movement (kicks, rolls, pokes, jabs, swishes) counts except hiccups.
• Changes in a baby's movement pattern (either slower or faster) should always be reported to a healthcare provider. They can indicate potential problems with either baby or mom's health.
• Kick counts are proven to help reduce stillbirth rates.

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.

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