High-Risk Pregnancy · Patient Education

Counting Your
Baby's Kicks

A daily connection to your baby's well-being

ACOG SMFM Count the Kicks

What Is It?

Your Baby Talks to You Every Day

Fetal kick counting is a free, daily way to monitor your baby's health — right from home. Recommended by OB doctors since the 1970s.

ACOG Cardiff Method

Why It Matters

Movement = A Window Into Your Baby's Health

Your baby's movements reflect how well the placenta is working. A change in movement can be one of the earliest signs that your baby needs attention.

ACOG SMFM

The Evidence

Early Action Can Save Lives

1 in 175

pregnancies affected
by stillbirth in the U.S.

1 in 4

stillbirths may be
preventable

32%

reduction in stillbirth
in Iowa after Count
the Kicks program

Many mothers noticed reduced movement days before stillbirth. Daily counting helps you catch changes early.

CDC 2022 BJOG 2018 Count the Kicks

High-Risk Pregnancy

Some Pregnancies Need Extra Attention

🩸

Diabetes

GDM & Pre-gestational

💉

Hypertension

Chronic HTN & Preeclampsia

👶👶

Multiples

Twins, Triplets

📉

Growth Restriction

FGR / SGA

Your provider may ask you to start counting earlier than the standard 28 weeks.

ACOG CO #828

When to Start

Start at 28 Weeks — or 26 Weeks If High-Risk

20

ViabilityMovements begin

26

High-RiskStart here

28

StandardStart here

32

PeakStrongest kicks

40

TermKeep counting

Fetal movements are strongest between 28 and 34 weeks. Keep counting all the way to delivery.

Count the Kicks ACOG

The Method

The Count-to-Ten Method

1

Position Lie on your left side to maximize blood flow to the uterus

2

Same Time Daily Evenings (9 PM–1 AM) or after a meal work best

3

Count Every Movement Kick, roll, flutter, swish, poke — all count

4

Goal: 10 in 2 Hours Record the time it takes to reach 10 movements

ACOG Cardiff Method

What to Count

Any Movement Counts — Except Hiccups

✓ Count These

🦵 Kicks
🔄 Rolls
🌊 Swishes
🪶 Flutters
👆 Pokes & Jabs

✗ Do Not Count

🔁 Hiccups
Hiccups are involuntary and do not reflect active baby movement

You will feel your baby's unique style of moving. Learn their pattern — that is your baseline.

Timing

Evenings Are Your Baby's Most Active Time

🌙

Best Window

9 PM – 1 AM

🍽️

Also Good

After a meal or snack

📅

Key Rule

Same time every day

Consistency helps you build a reliable baseline for your baby's unique movement pattern.

Know Your Baby

Know Your Baby's Normal Pattern

After a few days of counting, you will see how long it usually takes your baby to reach 10 movements. A change from that baseline is the most important signal — not any single number.

📱

Track With

Count the Kicks App
Free · 20+ languages

📋

Or Use

Paper Kick Chart
Share with your provider

ACOG

Do's

✓ Your Daily Kick Count Checklist

🕘 Count at the same time every day to build a reliable baseline
🛏️ Lie on your left side to maximize blood flow to your baby
📱 Use an app or paper chart to log every session
🍽️ Count after a meal or snack — blood sugar rises can trigger movement
👩‍⚕️ Share your kick count history with your provider at every visit

Don'ts

✗ Common Mistakes to Avoid

🚫 Don't start counting before 26–28 weeks — too early to be reliable
🚫 Don't count hiccups — they are involuntary and don't reflect active movement
🚫 Don't count right after waking up — baby may be in a normal sleep cycle
🚫 Don't panic over one quiet session — have a snack, rest, and try again
🚫 Don't wait if you're worried — always call your provider when in doubt

When to Call

Call Your Provider Right Away If…

⚠️ Fewer than 10 movements in 2 hours of focused counting
⚠️ Movements feel weaker than usual or less forceful
⚠️ A sudden change from your baby's normal pattern over several days

🚨 Emergency — Go to Labor & Delivery NOW

If your baby has stopped moving completely, do not wait. Go to the nearest Labor & Delivery unit immediately or call 911.

Your Care Team's Response

Your Team Has Tools to Check on Your Baby

1

Non-Stress Test (NST) Monitors baby's heart rate for 20–40 minutes

2

Biophysical Profile (BPP) Ultrasound assessing movement, breathing, tone, and fluid

3

Amniotic Fluid Check Low fluid can indicate placental stress

4

Growth Ultrasound If reduced movement recurs, checks for growth restriction

ACOG SMFM

The Bonding Benefit

Kick Counting Also Builds Your Bond

84%

of women reported
improved bonding
with their baby

77%

said kick counting
reduced their anxiety
about baby's well-being

A few quiet minutes each evening — focused on your baby — is good for you both.

PMC 2024

Partnership

You Are Your Baby's
First Advocate

Kick counting costs nothing and takes minutes. It keeps you connected, informed, and empowered. Your care team is always here — never hesitate to call.

countthekicks.org · Free app available in 20+ languages