Baby Kicks

I didn't keep track until I noticed him not moving. Then the dr told me to keep track and to call if he didn't move so many times in a certain time frame. At 5 months unless the dr tell you to I don't think it's necessary unless you notice the lack of movement.

I never actually "kept track." As long as (s)he's moving, I never knew that it mattered how much, or what times of day. It's safe to assume (s)he'll move more when you are lying down or still, though. Think of the movement of your hips when you are walking, as a sort of hammock or swing, for where baby is resting. It's very relaxing, and these are the times baby will be sleeping.

Twenty weeks is halfway there. Technically, pregnancy lasts for 10 months (as measured from the start of your last period: 40 weeks divided by four weeks/month = 10 months). By that measurement, yes, you are at 5 months. If you are measuring weeks from approximate conception, you are technically at 4 1/2 months.

Congratulations!

I never did kick counts regularly. The only time I did kick counts is when I noticed a decline in movements. Then I would lay down in a quiet room and count. The nurse always told me how many movements I should be feeling in any given time frame.

If you're 20 weeks, you are half way, so you are 4 1/2 months.

Congrats to you!! I am 26 weeks and this little boy is all over the place. I have never kept track of anything, Neither of my doc (for my 1st baby and for this one) have asked me too. At 20 weeks he started moving around a bit but more like my 22 he just is nuts!! lol...I think he is trying to dig his way out! I wouldn't worry about it. You got great advice from some of the moms. If you think its been too long since you felt the baby lay on your side and drink something cold. My 1st baby didn't move nearly as much as this kid... they are all different :) Oh and I am in the same boat as you as far as my month...I never know! My 1st baby I kept track per month this one per week and Im lost on how many months I am!! lol

This is what my doctor advised me:

If I noticed (my son was incredibly active, so this never happened) an hour or more period of no movement, drink something cold, lay on my side, and see if movement starts. Ice cold water or orange juice always did it for me. Movement only once a day seems very low (not to offend Laurie's answer) and my doctor told me there should be more movement then there isn't. It's not so much the amount of kicks, but that your baby is active throughout each day. Babies will naturally have resting periods, but you want there to be activity a great part of the day.

Did the doctor tell you to do this? Was there a reason?. Otherwise just be aware that there is some kicks and or movement at least once a day..

I was very active all through my pregnancy, but when I would rest or sit down.. my child was doing flips and high kicks the whole time.. She wanted to be moving..

Later, she would react to loud sudden sounds, it was amazing.. .. She actually still does this.. ..

"Keeping track" just means to make sure he moves daily. Take 20 mins if you can and settle in and see what he does. Mostly it's to make you aware of how often he really moves so if he begins to move less or hasn't moved in a day or so you can go in to your doctor right away. It's a pre-emptive sort of thing. Like a monthly self breast exam.

Ask your doctor what exactly he or she would like you to do about this.

The idea is that, at this stage, the baby ought to be moving around. Some babies move more, and some less. Mine all attempted to break my ribs from the inside (it was no surprise to me that two of them were interested in martial arts later). If there's no movement at all when there should be some, that would be a cause for concern. Just ask your doctor how much to keep track.

You never have to keep track. I found out that that was a recent American trend when I moved back to Europe pregnant. It seemed silly so I never did it any way. Trust your instinct. Either you have an active baby that moves a lot, or one that chills out more. If you were to not feel it for a while, you would go to the doctor anyway to make sure things are alright.

I never kept track. If your doctor or midwife ask you to, they can give you instructions how to do it.

You should follow the advice of your doctor/midwife regarding kick counts. My doctor didn't have me do any kick counting. He argued it worried his patients more than it did good. Some babies move a lot and others don't. Honestly I only felt my son move in utero a handful of times the entire pregnancy. I typically had to resort to lying down after drinking juice to cause the movements. In contrast my friend could barely sleep for all the rocking and rolling her daughter did. Good luck.

I've never heard of keeping track of baby movements unless there is a problem with him not moving. If this worries you, I suggest you talk with your doctor about it.