Pregnancy is full of milestones: first heartbeat, first ultrasound, and that unforgettable first kick. But did you know those tiny movements can tell you a lot about your baby’s health? The Count the Kicks app is a simple, proven way to monitor your baby’s well-being in the third trimester. It’s something every expectant parent can do from home or even on the go! It’s also something every healthcare provider should educate patients about. Here’s how paying attention to your baby’s movement can make a big difference.
“My advice is to use the app. It’s not going to hurt. It doesn’t cost you anything. It’s not something that you have to worry about. You just use it, and you can use it at any time, at any moment. Whether you feel like things are going great or whether you feel like things are going wrong, use the app.
A lot of the time there are resources that people only think that a certain demographic uses, whether you are low-income, or a minority, whatever it is. This is a resource for everyone, despite your socioeconomic status, your race, whatever. Count the Kicks is something that anybody and everybody can use.” -Lydia H., Gianna’s mom
What is Count the Kicks?
Count the Kicks is a program that teaches expectant parents a simple and easy method to get to know their baby’s normal movement patterns in the third trimester of pregnancy. Count the Kicks has a FREE pregnancy app (available in 20+ languages) that makes it easy to time how long it takes your baby to move 10 times and to rate the strength of your baby’s movements.
How do I Count the Kicks?
Starting at 28 weeks (or 26 weeks if you’re high-risk or pregnant with multiples), download the free Count the Kicks app, print out a paper chart, or use the web counter from a desktop or laptop computer. Pick a time of day when your baby is usually active and sit with your feet up or lie on your side.
Open your app and start counting, then tap the footprint on the app every time your baby moves (kicks, pokes, jabs, and rolls all count!). The only movements that don’t count are hiccups, as those are involuntary.
The app will time how long it takes your baby to reach 10 movements, and then ask you to rate the strength of your baby’s movements on a scale of 1 to 5. You can also take notes in the app after each session, such as what you ate that day or questions you want to ask your provider. After a few days of tracking around the same time each day, you will start to see an average length of time it takes for your baby to reach 10 movements.
The Count the Kicks app also includes an easy-to-use contraction timer, digital badges to encourage DAILY counting, and Ask Ana – an AI assistant that can assist with any baby movement or app questions that arise while monitoring your baby’s movement. All responses are curated from research papers and additional vetted sources on fetal movement monitoring.
What is considered normal?
Every baby and every pregnancy are different. Research has moved away from the idea that you should expect a certain number of movements in a specific period of time. Instead, the key is getting to know what’s normal for YOUR baby.
Your baby’s normal is the average amount of time it takes your baby to move 10 times each session. Remember to count your baby’s movements around the same time every day and pick a time when your baby is normally active (like after dinner, for example).
Why should I Count the Kicks?
Babies are a lot like us! Research shows that a change in a baby’s movements is sometimes the earliest or only sign that there might be an issue with a pregnancy. Just like when you’re not feeling well, you may want to sit on the couch or lie in bed. If a baby is not feeling well or is in distress, their movement changes. This is why it’s important to monitor your baby’s movement every day in the third trimester and get yourself and your baby checked right away if you notice any changes.
“When Saleha was born I was told she had a knot in her cord and that it was a good thing I came in because she wouldn’t have made it much longer. They said that sometimes those types of knots result in stillborn births.
I encourage people to use this app and to advocate for themselves and their babies, because I don’t know what would have happened if we didn’t use it.” -Valerie, W., Saleha’s mom
What are the benefits of kick counting?
Counting your baby’s kicks, jabs, pokes, and rolls is a free, easy, and reliable way to check on your baby’s well-being in the third trimester. Most Count the Kicks app users (77%) report that using the app daily helps reduce their anxiety about their baby’s well-being.
Counting your baby’s movements is also a great way to bond with your baby and get to know their personality before they arrive. You can even invite your partner or your older children to help you count your baby’s movements! It can be a fun bonding experience for the entire family.
What should I do if I notice a change?
Don’t delay! Trust your instincts and go to the hospital right away if you notice a change in the strength of your baby’s movements or how long it takes your baby to get to 10 movements. Hospitals are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and are ready to help.
Your baby’s movements matter!
If your provider doesn’t talk to you about kick-counting, it doesn’t mean it’s not important. It’s OK to bring up Count the Kicks with your provider and ask to show them your baby’s data in the app. You can even text or email your data directly from your app to your provider!
Remember to ask your provider how to contact them if you have concerns, and ask when they recommend you go directly to the hospital.
Spread the word!
Count the Kicks has been proven to improve birth outcomes for mothers and babies. You can join us in helping more babies have a safe arrival by sharing Count the Kicks with your friends and family! Congrats, and remember: Every kick (jab, poke, and roll) counts!