Kick Counts

Pregnant woman holding her hands on her abdomen.

It’s normal to worry about your baby’s health. One way you can know your baby’s doing well is to record the baby’s movements once a day. This is called a kick count. Remember to take your kick count records to all your appointments with your healthcare provider.

How to count kicks

Here are tips for counting kicks:

  • Choose a time when the baby is active, such as after a meal. 

  • Sit comfortably or lie on your side. 

  • The first time the baby moves, write down the time. 

  • Count each movement until the baby has moved 10 times. This can take from 20 minutes to 2 hours. 

  • Try to do it at the same time each day.

When to call your healthcare provider

Call your healthcare provider right away if you notice any of the following:

  • Your baby moves fewer than 10 times in 2 hours while you’re doing kick counts.

  • Your baby moves much less often than on the days before.

  • You have not felt your baby move all day.

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