Pickaway Health Services

Pickaway Health Services & Berger Maternity Center
Prenatal Information -- Kick Counts

Fetal Movement Count

What Does Fetal Movement Count Mean?
Fetal movement count is the number of times the baby moves during a given period. Babies do not move constantly. They may sleep for about 20 minutes and then wake up and move around. One way to check on your baby's health before birth is to count the number of times he or she moves during a certain period each day.

You can feel movement as the baby pushes against the wall of your uterus (womb). You can also feel the baby move by placing your hands on your abdomen. Sometimes you can see a ripple or little bump on your abdomen when the baby changes position. Some women describe the movements as "rolling", "stretching", or "pushing". Each feeling of movement counts as one movement. Write down the number of movements.

How Should I record The Movements?
Choose a time twice a day to count your baby's movements. Try to plan your fetal movement counts at the same time each day. Follow these directions for this simple, but very important test of your baby's health.

Get into a comfortable position. Lie on your left side to move the weight of the uterus off the large blood vessels. Oxygen is carried through these blood vessels to your uterus and to your baby.
Use the Fetal Movement Counts record sheet that is part of this handout to record the movements.
Look at a clock and write down the time you start counting.
Each time the baby moves, make a mark on the paper.
When the baby has moved 10 times, stop counting.
Write down the time of the last (10th) movement on the paper.
Write down the length of time it took for your baby to move 10 times.
Tell your nurse.

What If The Baby Does Not Move Or Moves Only A Little?
If your baby does not move at least 10 times in 1 hour, call your nurse. There are other ways to check the baby. For example, the nurse will listen to the baby's heart rate. She may ask you to move around, either in bed or out of bed if you are allowed to get up. If the baby still does not move, she will call your doctor. These tests will probably be ordered. Ask your nurse or doctor if you have any further questions.

Fetal Movement Counts
Write down each time your baby moves while lying on your left side for a period of 30 minutes or 1 hour. Please do movement counts two times a day, preferable after meals. If you notice the movements are less than 10 in a one hour period come to labor and delivery.

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