Most mothers-to-be eagerly await that first reassuring baby kick, just to know their baby is growing and developing. Sometime between 18-25 weeks into the pregnancy, moms will begin to feel movement. For first-time moms, it may occur closer to 25 weeks, and for second or third-time moms, it may occur closer to 18 weeks.
For a couple of weeks, it may be difficult to distinguish between gas and the real thing, but very soon, you will notice a pattern. You will gradually learn your baby’s sleeping and waking cycles when he or she is most active, and what seems to trigger activity.
Being attentive to your baby’s movements will help you notice any significant changes. Setting aside time every day when you know your baby is active to count kicks, swishes, rolls, and jabs may help identify potential problems and can help prevent stillbirth. Though strongly recommended for high-risk pregnancies, counting fetal movements beginning at 28 weeks may be beneficial for all pregnancies.
Generally, moms find their babies are most active after eating a meal or something sweet, drinking something very cold, or after physical activity. You may also find your baby to be more active between 9:00 pm and 1:00 am, as your blood sugar level is declining.
Taking time to do your baby kick counts will encourage you to rest and bond with your baby. Start by finding a comfortable position during a time when your baby is usually most active. Some moms prefer sitting in a well-supported position with their arms holding their bellies. Other moms prefer lying on their left sides, which they find most comfortable and most effective for monitoring their babies. Lying on your left side also allows for the best circulation which could lead to a more active baby.
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 Congress 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 less time than that.
You might want to start a notebook or use the various charts below. In a notebook, record the time you feel the first fetal movement, place a checkmark for each movement you feel until you reach 10, then record the time of the tenth movement. This will help you observe patterns and discover how long it normally takes for your baby to move 10 times. Keep in mind you are looking for significant deviations from the pattern.
It can become easy to expect an exact amount of time every time you do your kick counts; however, there can be a wide range of time differences. So remember to look for significant deviations from the pattern over the course of a few days.
If you have followed the above recommendations and have not felt 10 kicks by the end of the second hour, wait two hours and try again. If after trying a second time, you do not feel 10 movements within 2 hours, or If you notice a significant deviation from the pattern over the course of the 3-4 days prior, you should contact your Doctor.