Fetal movement durning pregnancy is an important indicator of the health of the baby, especially during the third trimester. Use these tips to help you track the baby’s kicks, especially if you think fetal movement may have slowed.
I don’t know about you, but whenever I’m pregnant one of my biggest concerns, and biggest comforts, is fetal movement. I want to know when I will feel the baby move/kick for the first time and how often he should be moving around. Especially as a mother who has struggled with pregnancy loss, I understand the potential anxiety surrounding fetal movement.
When I look back now I laugh at how naive I was with my first. He would move and kick and I would just get annoyed! I couldn’t believe how uncomfortable he could make me by curling up under my ribs or by using my bladder for kicking practice.
But with my second, every kick and movement felt special and brought comfort. I lost two babies between my first and second sons, it was devastating. And during my second pregnancy there was nothing that brought me greater peace than feeling my son kick!
Of course, there were days when I would worry. Was he kicking enough? I can’t remember if I felt him move yet today! And I would start to panic.
Luckily, my doctor told me about a way that I could track fetal movement at home. And once I hit my third trimester I followed these guidelines about once a day. (Not because I really needed to, mostly because I was a nervous wreck!)
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***Disclaimer: I am NOT a medical professional, my suggestions are anecdotal based on my experience with three successful pregnancies and what my doctors advised along the way. This post should not be taken in place of medical advice and is not intended to be medical advice. If you are ever worried about your baby please call your doctor or head to an emergency room.***
Call Your Doctor
Don’t be afraid to call your doctor. Even if it seems silly, even if you’ve already called three times that day. Call again! Let the doctors and nurses do their job and provide medical assistance. Remember, they are the experts, it’s ok to ask questions and raise concerns.
I remember once when I was pregnant with my first baby I called the doctor in the middle of my work day in a total panic because I couldn’t remember the last time I felt the baby move.
The nurse asked me a bunch of questions and once she realized I was almost full-term she said it can be normal for fetal movement to slow at that point because the baby is so big he’s running out of room! Phew!!! What a relief!
If for some reason you can't do the whole process just set a timer on your phone and start counting. Again, a lot of times the baby is moving you just don't always realize it.
Once you've hit 10 kicks...
.....within an hour you can stop (even if the kicks come within the first 20 minutes). Hopefully that gives you peace of mind that baby is moving just fine.
If you're still worried or you didn't count 10 movements within an hour call your doctor!
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It's not uncommon to worry that fetal movement has slowed, but often times there's nothing to worry about. Remember to always be in contact with your doctor, especially if you're concerned. You can try using a kick count at home to help put your mind at ease!
