Fetal Movement Awareness

Between 20-24 weeks of pregnancy, most women begin feeling fetal movements regularly. By counting your baby's kicks and keeping track of these movements, you can monitor your baby's well-being and reduce the risk of stillbirth. Some babies are more active than others and all babies have periods of sleep during which they are not as active. You will get to know your baby's pattern of movements and when your baby is most active. Your doctor, midwife or nurse may ask you to count your baby's movements once every day. This is often called a "kick count." A common way to do a kick count is to see how much time it takes to feel 6 movements. Six movements (such as kicks, flutters, or rolls) in 2 hours or less are considered normal. If you do not feel 6 movements during the 2-hour period, call your health professional right away. For information on how to count your baby's movements and when to contact your maternity care provider, see the links below.

There's also an app for kick counting - we've put the link here, too.

• The MotHERS Program - General info on fetal movements and a chart to keep track
• The MotHERS Program - Fetal Movements
• The Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada - Facts about fetal movements
• HealthyFamiliesBC - Tips about fetal movement counting
• Government of Alberta - Kick count guidelines
• Hospital for Sick Children - Kick counts: when & how to do them, and when to call your provider
• National Health Service - Fetal Movement awareness
• UK Movements Matter - Raising awareness of fetal movements