How to kick count?

[Didz]

So I want to start kick counting but I'm a little confused. I know you're supposed to lie on your side to do it, that's not a problem, but do you count each individual kick or are continuous movements classed as a kick? Reason I want to start a kick count is because I've had a lazy baby for a few days. Her kicks are strong and the midwife checked her heart, she's fine but I'm still getting a bit worried when she doesn't. I reckon she sleeps a hell of a lot so I'm not expecting kicks AAAALL day like I did with my first.

 

[Tea Monster]

Excellent question - I was talking about this with my best mate just yesterday, she said she could never work it out either, is it ten separate kicks or ten 'episodes of moving around'??? Sorry, I'm no help to you but am v interested in the answer if someone else can help us!!!

 

[Didz]

I've looked at every site online and all it says is to mark off the kicks and once the 10th kick has happened, write the time down. Bump tends to move continuously for a while then nothing for ages. Kicks, wiggles and shivers but doesn't just kick once at random times so I dunno what to do lol.

 

[lozzy21]

Your not supposed to count the kicks untill 26/27 weeks as before then baby still has room to move with out you being able to feel it.

I think its 10 periods of movment rather than actual kicks.

 

[winegums]

actually most midwives now recommend just writing down patterns of babys movements instead of counting kicks. lots of people used to worry unnessacarily over kicks. my baby i felt movements about 3-4 times a day and going by the old kick count routine i would have probably been induced due to lack of movement felt and up the hospital all the time etc. if you just note down the types of movements you feel and the patterns etc and if it suddenly changes you can phone the midwives

 

[anna matronic]

You should be noticing at least 10 patterns of movement per day from 28 weeks. Don't count individual kicks/pokes/rolls because you can have numerous of these in a small timescale if the baby is having an active moment.

I actually don't bother writing them down as it isn't practical, we do have lives to lead, work to do etc etc. But you do get to notice a pattern and you will notice when baby is more/less active. When baby is less active you'll pay more attention to it.

 

[Pixxie]

You count any movements not just kicks but you're not supposed to do it until 3rd tri xx

 

[Didz]

Well I'm 28 week gone so I'm all good to count. I have noticed a change in pattern so I'll be giving my doc a ring in the morning as they won't be avaliable now. She's still kicking and wiggling but seems to have grown lazy. With my midwife telling me to expect her any day it's a slight worry. I know babys tend to "rest up" just before you go into labor. My first baby rested for a whole damn week!

 

[donna-c-86]

dont forget ur baby will start having less room to move around! as long as u feel some movements i wouldnt worry, i didnt kick count at all with ds and dont intend to this time as i know it would cause unnecassary worry

 

[GossipGirl]

I don't kick count either unless I am feeling worried that he hasn't been very active and I went into hospital for monitoring at around 36 weeks because of this and typical that as soon as I got onto the machine he started going mad! But I've always wondered if it's 10 lots of movement or 10 kicks and in the end I decided it was 10 lots of movement so I tend to count that now if I get worried. But basically if you're worried about movement get onto the hospital if nothing happens after having a cold drink and a rest

 

[minties]

I'm not bothering with a kick count. I did between 19-24 weeks but it became a pain in the ass.

Instead now I note periods of activity. Like usually LO will bounce a bit when I wake up, then again at 10:30am etc etc. if I don't feel the usual pattern, I then try and do things to get him to move (play music, yell or clap loudly and jump up and down haha).

Sometimes he has quiet periods though, where he does move at his regular times but the movements are very soft and gentle and not as many. Then those days are followed by busy days.

I think it's more just making sure that baby is doing what is normal for them.

 

[Didz]

I'm thinking that noting the patterns will be easier and more convinent. We have noticed something cute though. Everytime my first born shouts at me and her dad, her baby sister starts kicking.....a hell of a lot lol. As a result I now have a 13 month old shouting at my bump just to see her sister kick lol.

 

[minkie]

I agree with just taking notes of patterns during the day...mine has quite a few active periods specially around 930pm till I go to bed around 11. If I didn't feel her going nuts at all during that time I would definitely worry! (oh yah and about the baby going nuts when your little one yells, mine does the same when my 3 year old yells near my tummy, it wakes her up!!)

 

[Nessicle]

probably best to ask in third tri if you're 28 weeks hun - they will be doing it on a regular basis and round about your stage (third tri from 27 weeks) so they will be able to tell you what they're doing (though sure the ladies in here who've already had babies are a great help as well )

 

[Didz]

Ah, I got told 3rd tri was from 29 weeks. I'll go and ask them.

 

[Nessicle]

27 weeks onwards honey - just they might be able to answer better with them already kick counting etc x

 

[Didz]

all good. Well we had a scan today and it's the most active she's been in a loooong time lol. Both my kids have wiggled no end just before the scans start and don't stop until it's finished lol. She's all fine and dandy. We've managed to get a picture of her face this time which is adorable. The shadows make her look like a chucky doll though :S
At one point she yawned which made us all melt then cracked me and my OH up by flipping us the bird.

 

[Nessicle]

thank you for letting us know all is well! Can you post piccies of your scan? Would be lovely to see them!

 

[Didz]

I can indeed, once I manage to find our scanner drivers and work out how to get pics up on here lol.