Obstetrical Care
Fetal Movement Recommendations
Fetal movement counting (“kick counts”) is something that you can do at home or even at work to check the well-being of your baby. It is only accurate in the 3rd trimester of pregnancy as prior to 28 weeks, the size and position of the baby is so variable that your ability to feel movement may be altered. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) recommends that you time how long it takes you to feel 10 kicks, flutters, swishes or rolls. Any movement counts.
- Ideally, you want to feel at least 10 movements within one hour.
- If you are concerned that your baby’s movements are decreased, eat or drink something sweet and/or cold. Lie on your left side in a quiet setting with your hands on your belly. Keep track of the movements. Any little movement counts—it is the quantity of movement that is important not the quality or how strong/big the movement is. Count how long it takes to get 10 movements. If it takes an hour or less, you can be reassured.