Fetal movement is one important way to know if all is well with your baby. So throughout your third trimester, it's important to do kick counts — keeping track of whether your baby is moving (jabbing, kicking, or rolling) more or less than usual.

Here's what to know about why kick counts are important, how to keep track of baby kicks during pregnancy, and when to call your doctor about changes in fetal movement.

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Key Takeaways
  • Kick counts are an important way to monitor your baby's well-being in the third trimester. Starting around 28 weeks, tracking your baby's movements can help you learn her normal activity patterns and identify changes that may signal a need for medical evaluation.
  • Most babies should move at least 10 times within two hours. Count any kicks, rolls, swishes, or nudges during your baby's active periods. While every baby has unique patterns, consistently reaching 10 movements within your baby's usual timeframe is reassuring.
  • Contact your health care practitioner if movement changes significantly. If you don't feel 10 movements within two hours, notice a sudden decrease or increase in activity, or feel something is different, reach out to your provider or seek medical care promptly for reassurance and assessment.

What are kick counts?

Officially called fetal movement counting, kick counts are a simple method of monitoring your baby's activity in the womb.[1] They're the number of little kicks, taps, pokes, nudges, flutters, rolls, or swishes you feel during a specific period of time.

Kick counts are important because they're an indication of fetal health. Once you have the baseline number that's typical for your baby, you can more easily detect when a change occurs in the pattern or number of kicks. A significant shift could mean your baby is under stress and needs medical attention.

"I went in with both my kids for decreased movement," says What to Expect Community mom jsmama0-. " One was fine and born at 39w. The other was not and born via emergency c-section at 36.5 w. Keep counting — you'll get a feel for their schedule and what's 'normal' quickly!"

When should I start kick counts during pregnancy?

Doctors recommend that you pay attention to your baby's movements beginning around week 28, the start of the third trimester, and continue until the end of pregnancy.

This isn't the first time you'll feel your baby move, though. The first fetal movement, sometimes called quickening, is usually felt between about week 18 and week 22 of pregnancy, though you may start to feel activity earlier or later, generally anytime between 14 weeks and 26 weeks.

Count your baby's kicks with the My Journal tool in our free app.

When and how should I do kick counts?

A good time to do kick counts is when your baby is usually active, which might be after a meal, early in the morning, or at another consistent time of day.

"My babes have always moved waaaay more once I am home from work for the night!" says Community mom mamamollx2.

Follow these steps for counting:

  1. Remove distractions (silence your phone and turn off the TV).
  2. Relax on your side or sit comfortably in a chair, and then note the time.
  3. Put your hands on your belly so you can better feel each movement.
  4. Start to count any movement you feel (kick, swish, roll) until you reach 10, then note the time.
  5. Write down how long it took to reach 10 kicks.

How many kicks should I feel?

During the third trimester, you should usually feel 10 movements within an hour or less, though sometimes it can take longer. Every baby is different. The important thing is to get to know your baby's typical movement patterns and how long it generally takes to reach 10 movements (not including hiccups).

If you don't reach that number during a second hour of counting, call your health care practitioner. It doesn't necessarily mean something is wrong, but your practitioner may want to monitor or evaluate your baby.

It's also a good idea to ask your practitioner at one of your prenatal appointments what to do if you notice a change in fetal movement and can't reach the office right away. If it's after hours, they might want you to speak to an on-call doctor or nurse to assess the situation, or they may have you go to the nearest hospital maternity ward (preferably the one you'll be delivering at if you're having a hospital birth) to be checked.

And if your instincts tell you something is off, let your practitioner know you're going to get checked out at the hospital. It's always okay to seek reassurance.

Are there ways to get my baby to kick?

Want to get your baby moving? While none of these methods is guaranteed, you can try:[2] 

  • Switching sides. Get into a different position, such as lying on your other side.
  • Having a snack or drink. A drink of juice or a small snack can boost your blood sugar and possibly "wake up" your baby, prompting more kicks and movement.
  • Getting active. Take a little walk around the room.
  • Chatting or singing. Talk to your baby-on-board or sing a song. The sound of your voice may encourage your baby to move.
  • Giving a gentle poke. Lightly prod your belly to see if your baby responds.

"I found that I noticed fewer movements when moving around a lot because it lulled baby to sleep," says Community mom Kaleesi86. "Once I sat down or lay down, they would go nuts. They also moved a lot if I drank cold drinks or ate something sweet."

Remember: If you're not feeling as many movements as usual, don't feel 10 movements within two hours, notice a sudden increase in activity, or observe another significant change in movement patterns, call your provider and get checked as soon as possible.

Never rely on apps, at-home fetal Doppler devices, or other DIY monitoring tools. They're not accurate substitutes for the medical equipment used by healthcare professionals.

When should I worry about baby kicks?

If you don't notice 10 movements in two hours once you've started daily kick counts (or 10 movements in your baby's usual timeframe), call your practitioner. You may need a quick evaluation. If you can't reach your practitioner and you're concerned, err on the side of caution and go to your nearest hospital maternity ward.

Remember that your baby's movements will change as they grow, but they shouldn't suddenly slow down, speed up, or stop from day to day. Once you're in the habit of daily kick counts, you'll have a better sense of what's normal for your baby.

"Always trust your gut," says Community mom taliesinsd. "I'd rather go in 100 times and have nothing wrong than not go once and have that be the time something is wrong."

Also keep in mind that babies cycle through periods of sleep and wakefulness in the third trimester, so temporary lulls can be normal. Overall, though, fetal movements shouldn't decrease as pregnancy progresses. That's why it's important to keep counting kicks and report any noticeable changes to your provider.

If you have any questions or concerns about your baby's movements — especially in your last trimester— don't hesitate to reach out to your practitioner for advice, reassurance, and evaluation if needed.