Kick Count Question

Updated on August 20, 2007
A.G. asks from Womelsdorf, PA
15 answers

I was wondering if I should call my OB. This Monday I started the "Kick Count." For those who do not know what that is, a Kick Count is when you pick a start time and count out 10 fetal movements. They say if you feel fewer than 10 kicks in ten hours, you are to call your doctor. Well, when I do my kick count, I get 10 kicks in 2 hours. Is that normal, cause the example he gave me was like 3 to 4 hours. Now, I don't feel the baby kick all the time, but when I sit on the couch and focus on fetal movement, the baby seems to be a lot more active. Should I be concerned? I would appreciate any advice. Thank you!

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So What Happened?

Thank You so much for all your wonderful advice! It really puts my mind at ease to hear this!

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M.L.

answers from Johnstown on

The reason you feel so much movement when you are sitting still is cause the baby wakes up. When you are walking around and moving they say it's kinda like a swing and it soothes them off to sleep. Then when you stop they wake up and play. Just be glad you have a nice active baby and try to get some sleep at night anyway :P

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B.R.

answers from Pittsburgh on

If you're stopping activity to do the 'kick count', your baby is most likely more active because you've stopped moving. I remember trying to go to sleep at night and all 4 of my babies were most active then. I was told that was because when you're active, your body pretty much rocks your baby to sleep and when you stop the baby wakes up and becomes more active. I don't think there's anything wrong with the baby, but you can ask your dr just to be sure and to put your mind at ease.

Best wishes!

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C.C.

answers from Philadelphia on

It's perfectly normal. With my daughter she was active the same way, I would get more than 10 in two hours. My midwife said it was fine and good that she was that active. My pregnancy now is the same way. He is very active he will move all day long. If you don't feel comfortable than ask your doctor. That is what they are there for. Nothing matters more than the safety of your child.

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K.A.

answers from Pittsburgh on

A., I think that 10 kick counts in 2 hours is normal. This is what I got from the America Pregnancy Association Website.

There are numerous ways to count your baby’s movements and numerous opinions on how many movements you are looking for within a certain amount of time. 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. Ideally, you want to feel at least 10 movements within 2 hours. You will likely feel 10 movements in much less time.

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H.

answers from Pittsburgh on

I just had my third child in May. I paid attention to kicks but doing formal kick counts seemed silly sometimes because I'd have some periods of such activity (even when I was postdue - all of mine were induced 10-15 days late!) that it was difficult to count fast enough. It would be difficult to separate the different kicks, but I often counted 10 kicks in less than 5 minutes. This was especially true when I'd lay down on my side on the couch at the end of the day. I would notice movement, but not nearly as much during the days when I was chasing my 2 toddlers during my last pregnancy.

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A.R.

answers from Sharon on

I would say if you feel unsure definitely contact the doctor for your own peace of mind. None of my children and I have four, towards the end were as active. And I had a couple of big babies. There is no use worrying though it is not good for you or the baby. Us moms tend to worry about everything especially being pregnant. Call your doctor, I am sure everything is fine but you would feel better once you do.
Best of Luck with your new baby. I have 2 little ones who are 10 months apart. They are now 1 and 2 and also 2 older ones 9 and 11.

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A.M.

answers from Reading on

When I was pregnant with my son he did the same thing. As long as he is moving more then ten times in ten hours that is a good sign. I wouldn't worry about it but if youare still concerned then call your dr. Better to be safe then sorry.

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L.T.

answers from Pittsburgh on

My doctors didn't have me do kick counts, but did ask about frequency and patterns - did I feel the baby move/kick at least once every two hours, when did I feel him the most or the least. My kids were very active at night, when I was driving to and from work and other times that I was inactive. I could have easily counted 10 kicks during these short time intervals, so I think it is not unusual to have a "high" kick count. If you are concerned you should call your doctor, but my feeling is that if you don't feel your baby move over a long period of time (say 2 or 3 hours) and you don't notice certain times of the day where he is more active, that would be a bigger concern.

BTW, I didn't experience any painful kicks so I really enjoyed this part of pregnancy. My husband and I used to like to roll up my shirt and watch my abdomen move as the baby moved. I hope it is an enjoyable time for you.

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K.T.

answers from Pittsburgh on

I agree with everyone else. 10 kicks in 2 hours is fine. When I was pregnant, sometimes my son would kick 10 times in 5 minutes and sometimes it would be 10 kicks in 5 hours and he came out totally healthy and perfect so I wouldn't worry. It all depends on the baby. Some are more active and some are less, plus it depends on how active you are and what you eat and if they're asleep or not. Enjoy this time with your little one! I loved it and I miss it now. lol. Good luck!

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D.S.

answers from State College on

Dont worry, my son was like this too. There were times the doctor would have a hard time checking his heartbeat because he'd be kicking so much. I went to a group practice, so I'd see different doctors all the time, and I heard from more than one "looks like you're going to have your hands full with this one" :)

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A.P.

answers from Pittsburgh on

I've never heard of the kick count because babies in the womb sleep ALOT just like babies out of the womb. During the day babies sleep while you are moving around "rocking" them to sleep. Sometimes they awake at night when you are holding still. My babies kicked a lot if I ate high sugar foods. I think doctors tell you to count or just be aware of kicking so that you don't go too long without feeling any kicking which is much worse.

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J.M.

answers from Pittsburgh on

Hi A.,

Congratulations on your pregnancy! I think feeling more than 10 kicks during active times is pretty normal. I wouldn't worry about it - as long as it isn't happening all of the time. But to be safe and help you to feel better - it definately doesn't hurt to give your DR a ring just to be sure.

J.

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S.G.

answers from Erie on

I am also pregnant with baby #2. I am due October 16th. I have times when the baby is so active that I can't focus on anything else; then there are other times that if I don't think about it, I have to stop and concentrate on it. With my first pregnancy I got very worried because the movement slowed towards the end of my 8th month. She assured me that as they get bigger, they run out of room to be super active. Having said all this; we are still kinda early and I would probably check with your OB just to be sure. They could have you monitored or do an US just to be sure. That is what they did for me last time and hearing that heart beat was the reassurance that I needed. Good Luck!

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J.M.

answers from Pittsburgh on

Feeling 10 kicks in 2 hours is fine. Are you worried that baby is too active or not active enouch? There is really no such thing as too active. I am a labor doula, so I work with moms through late pregnancy all the time. What I have learned and tell my clients, at least as far as late pregnancy (like the last month) is that pay attention for an hour, if you get 10 movements, everything is great. If not, drink a glass of juice (orange preferably- the sugar wakes the baby up), relax, and focus on baby. continue counting from the last hour, and you should get the 10 by the end of the hour. The term kick count is really not a good term, because you are looking for any movement, even the slightest wiggle. Alot of moms tend to think that it has to be a definite kick. And like a lot of other people have already said, baby is usually sleeping when you are up and about, but wakes up as soons as you sit down for a little while or go to bed. I have never heard 10 kicks in 10 hours though.
From what you have said here, I would not be concerned.

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B.W.

answers from Allentown on

Hi A.,

Wow, your doctor is a lot different than mine, I was told that if I didn't get 10 movements in 2 hours to call them immediately...I wouldn't worry about your little ones activity level, seems perfectly normal to me....when I did kick counts I sometimes got 10 in 5 or 6 minutes, other times it took more like 2 or 2 1/2 hours, just depends on the munchkins mood I think, I wouldn't worry unless you sit down to do them and feel nothing at all for a while...just my opinion

PS My little guy is only 16 weeks old so I went through it all pretty recently...feel free to email me anytime

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B.

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