Kick counts: useful or no?

[smeisnotapirate]

I'm just curious, as I've never ever been asked to do them, and I have a friend who is obsessing over them.

Are kick counts actually useful? Or are they yet another thing that we've come up with to plague mothers with worry late in pregnancy? Is there any standard? Is there any benefit to doing them as opposed to just making sure baby's moving?

[katelove]

There is no evidence that they're of any benefit. We don't ask women to do them routinely in Australia. If a woman rings Birth Suite etc because she is concerned about reduced movement then we would ask her to do one as a one off. Other than that we just ask at antenatal appointments if they are getting plenty of movements.

[SeattleRain]

aren't they only 10 movements in 10 hours? That doesn't seem too unreasonable to keep track of everyday.

[Bokonon]

Originally Posted by SeattleRain

aren't they only 10 movements in 10 hours? That doesn't seem too unreasonable to keep track of everyday.

10 movements in 1 hour.

It seems like it would be valuable when a mom notices a decrease in movement, does kick counts and discovers that baby isn't moving as much, then goes to get checked out. I'm coming from a high-risk history though, where kick counts are a good way to make sure that baby is tolerating preeclampsia at home.

[MaerynPearl]

I have only done them twice, both with DS (but I had placental abruption at 17 weeks so I was very worried about him) and both times only because I hadnt noticed movement in a while. Its not something I do daily... since usually my children are so active I have no need to worry about the amount of movement I feel.

[staceychev]

Originally Posted by Bokonon

10 movements in 1 hour.

See, this is why it's screwy. I've read the 10 movements in 10 hours rule, I've read the 10 movements in one hour rule, and my maternal fetal medicine doc told me 10 movements in 2 hours. Really? If the medical establishment is that far off, how can it be a valid measurement?

I think that, for me, the only benefit is to slow me down to pay attention. Sometimes it seems like the baby is moving less just because I'm not really paying too much attention.

[NullSet]

I'm coming from a high risk history as well and they have been useful to me. It helps me get a baseline for what is normal movement. But then I also don't have a super-active baby that likes to reassure me all day. If I was feeling constant all day movement I doubt I would ever do a kick count.

[smeisnotapirate]

Originally Posted by staceychev

See, this is why it's screwy. I've read the 10 movements in 10 hours rule, I've read the 10 movements in one hour rule, and my maternal fetal medicine doc told me 10 movements in 2 hours. Really? If the medical establishment is that far off, how can it be a valid measurement?

That's kinda what I was getting at. I've heard totally different parameters depending on who I've talked to. One friend has to write down and submit times for how long it takes her to feel 10 kicks, another just checks whether she's feeling 10 in a given hour, another was told 10/day.

Also, doesn't baby's position and placental position make a difference, as well as how many weeks you are? Now that I'm 32w, I'm definitely feeling less fetal movement.

[dmpmercury]

I pay attention to a general pattern of movements. Kick counts always made me nervous. I do think it is important to keep track of movement though. A decrease in movements can be a sign of something.

You should not have a decrease in movement past 28 weeks but the type you feel can be different. You might feel less strong movements as the baby becomes cramped but not less. I had an anterior placenta with both mine and it muffled movement but my ds never had a decrease in movements. My dd did and it was related to her position in utero but I did get it checked out when it happenend if I went a while before feeling movements and the orange juice trick didn't work.

I think either 10 in an hour or counting how long it takes to get 10 a little after eating are both ways you can do them. You should be feeling more than 10 a day.

[Lauren31]

I would not count kicks when I was pregnant. I would just pay attention to the general kicking/movement. If it has been half a day and no movement I would probably be concerned. But I think it would drive me nuts to actually keep track of them.

[Litcrit]

Sounds silly to me. Don't babies in utero have the same sleeping patterns as newborns late in pregnancy? Doesn't that mean sleeping for 2-3 hour stretches? How would they kick 10 times in one hour then if they're likely sleeping so much?

Meh, if I feel activity in there several times a day I don't worry.

[Peony]

Originally Posted by Litcrit

Meh, if I feel activity in there several times a day I don't worry.

My thought as well. I've never done kick counts, I can see how high risk pgs are different, but mine aren't.

[2sweetboysmom]

High risk pregnancy and pregnancy after a loss or multiple losses is very different.
When the chance of loosing your little one is higher and/or the necessity or likelihood of delivering preterm is higher, mom is naturally stressed more.

Doing kick counts helps you to truly know what is normal for your babe, and it is reassuring as well. It is really easy to be too busy with life to always notice changes in a pattern. Intentionally tuning in daily helps you to see any possible changes. If your child's average drops off, you will know sooner.

[angelpie545]

Originally Posted by Lauren31

I would not count kicks when I was pregnant. I would just pay attention to the general kicking/movement. If it has been half a day and no movement I would probably be concerned. But I think it would drive me nuts to actually keep track of them.

This is what I do. I think for normal, low-risk pregnancies or for women who haven't experienced fetal demise or distress it's fine. However, for women who are at a high risk of complications regarding the fetus it's probably best to keep some record of kick counts or at least pay good attention to them so you notice if there is a decrease. I guess it's your own comfort level.

[Jules09]

A slow down in the fetal movement was the first sign that something was wrong for my son. Later that day he stopped moving altogether, and that's when I went to the hospital. It was too late, and he didn't make it. This time I'll be doing kick counts every day. I can't help wondering if perhaps his movement had slowed down over the days leading up to his birth, and could have perhaps been noticed with kick counts. From what I've heard, all you have to do is note the amount of time it takes to feel ten kicks, done at the same time each day. I figure that it can't hurt, and it might help, so I may as well do it.

[Honey693]

I didn't so them with my last pregnancy. my doctor just told me to make sure I feel the baby move every day.

[RedOakMomma]

Originally Posted by Jules09

A slow down in the fetal movement was the first sign that something was wrong for my son. Later that day he stopped moving altogether, and that's when I went to the hospital. It was too late, and he didn't make it. This time I'll be doing kick counts every day. I can't help wondering if perhaps his movement had slowed down over the days leading up to his birth, and could have perhaps been noticed with kick counts..

[Shellie]

http://www.blairblanks.com/james/

[MyZymurgy]

Decreased fetal movement is a valid and important indicator of fetal distress. I know it is sort of the culture around here to question most medical advice and to assume that all is well... but a decrease in fetal movement should never be ignored. As far as fetal monitoring goes, it is completely natural - requires nothing other than a little quiet time. Lots of mamas enjoy doing kick counts because it's a chance to focus on their baby, and they feel it is a bonding time. Kick counts are a way to quantify fetal movement. It gives you specific data to look at rather than just a general "maybe he's moving less" feeling. It's especially useful in high risk pregnancies.

If you are feeling your baby moving throughout the day, don't sweat it. But if you notice there *may* be a decrease in movement, then a kick count is a good idea. Some mamas do them regularly because they have a high risk pregnancy or because they find it reassuring.

Decreased fetal movement is often the first, and only, sign the baby is in trouble. If you are in tune with your baby and you can catch this early, you may be able to save your baby's life.

I'm not saying this is something to obsess about or fret over. But being aware of fetal movement is important. Kick counts, for many women, is the best way to monitor fetal movement.

http://www.countthekicks.me/

[sostinkinhappy]

Originally Posted by Shellie

http://www.blairblanks.com/james/

Excellent link where there are some good resources listed as well. Thanks for sharing it.