Can you feel your baby moving in the womb? Let's find out exactly what these Kick Counts are!

Isn't it wonderful to have a little guest in your womb? As your belly grows, the joy you feel when you feel the little movements, that is, the baby's movements, is indescribable. At first, it feels like a butterfly fluttering or a bubble popping, but with time, you can understand it. This is the first conversation between you and your baby. So, the best way to know about the well-being of this little one is to pay attention to the number of these movements. Today, we will talk about 'Kick Counts' or fetal movement counting.

Simply put, what are these 'Kick Counts'?

'Kick Counts' are very simple. We call this the process of counting and recording how many times your baby moves inside the womb, i.e. kicks, twists and rolls over a period of time. This is like asking your baby, "Are you okay?" If there is a change in the baby's movement pattern, it can sometimes be an early sign that the baby is in some discomfort, i.e. under some stress. So if you know your baby's normal movement pattern, you can recognize it as soon as something changes.

How does it feel like the baby is struggling?

When you first feel your baby move, it can be hard to figure out exactly what it is, especially if this is your first pregnancy. The baby is very small, so his movements aren't very strong. Some moms describe it this way:

• Like a butterfly flutters
• Like putting bubbles in water.
• It's like being tickled from the inside.
• It seems to roll back and forth.
• Like giving a little push (jabs)

Don't worry if you can't figure out what you're feeling. Over time, you'll get a better sense of your baby's movement patterns and when he's most awake. These movements become stronger during the third trimester (weeks 28 to 40) .

Why do we need to count the number of times we struggle?

A baby moving in the womb is a good sign that he is healthy and growing well. So by keeping an eye on the frequency of these movements, you can get some idea of ​​your baby's well-being.

Imagine, your baby usually fidgets a lot during the day, but suddenly, for a day or two, those fidgets decrease a lot, you can let your doctor know about it as soon as possible. Then, if necessary, he can get a checkup done to make sure everything is okay. This will put you one step ahead in terms of your baby's safety.

When should we start counting like this?

It's a good idea to keep an eye on your baby's movements throughout your pregnancy. However, the best time to start systematically doing 'kick counts' is in the third trimester, which is after 28 weeks . By this time, the baby has developed a pattern of kicking that is quite strong.

It's best to talk to your doctor about this and get advice on when and how to count based on your stage of pregnancy. Not all babies are the same, so you and your doctor need to decide together what is normal for your baby.

Okay, so how exactly do you do this?

There are several ways to do this. You can use an app on your phone, or you can take notes with a watch and a notebook. There are two main methods:

1. Counting how many times the baby moves in an hour .

2. Measuring how long it takes for the baby to move 10 times .

You can do this very easily if you follow the steps below.

After a few days of doing this, you will be able to get a good idea of ​​your baby's pattern. Remember, every baby is different. You are looking for what is normal for your baby .

How much do you have to struggle in a day?

As recommended by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), the goal to aim for is:

If you don't feel 10 movements within two hours, don't worry. It doesn't always mean there's a problem. The baby may be asleep. You can wake the baby up a little and try again.

If the baby is sleeping, how do you wake him up?

Sometimes your baby may be fast asleep while you're trying to count. In such cases, you can try these things to wake your baby up a little:

• Take a walk or shake your body a little.
• Drink something sweet, like a glass of fruit juice (as the blood sugar level increases, the baby may start to struggle).
• Have a meal.
• Lie on your left side (this increases blood flow to the baby).
• Play a song a little louder and listen.

When should you be afraid? When should you talk to the doctor?

This is the most important part. It's normal to feel worried when you feel your baby's movements slowing down. But don't panic right away. Just like you, your baby has times to sleep and rest.

However, in this case, be sure to talk to your doctor:

1. If two hours have passed and you have tried to wake the baby as mentioned above, but you still feel less than 10 movements.

2. If there is a sudden big change in the baby's normal fussing pattern. (For example: if a normally very fussy baby suddenly becomes very quiet).

3. If it feels like the baby's movements have stopped completely .

Remember, it's always better to talk to a doctor than to remain in doubt.Most of the time, there may be no problems, but the doctor can check the baby's heartbeat and do an ultrasound scan to make sure everything is fine.

Does the baby's movement decrease as delivery approaches?

This is a misconception among many people. No, the baby's movements do not decrease as labor approaches.

Here's what's happening: As your baby grows, there's less room in your uterus. So instead of the sharp kicks you used to get, you may start to get more "rolls" and "swishes." This means that the type of movement will change, but the number of movements shouldn't decrease. The total number of movements you feel per day should remain normal. Only you know your baby's normal pattern, so if you notice any changes, let your doctor know right away.