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Pregnancy: Kick Counts

Table of Contents


Overview

Counting your baby's kicks is one way your doctor can tell that your baby is healthy. You will probably feel your baby move for the first time between 16 and 22 weeks. The movement may feel like flutters rather than kicks. Your baby may move more at certain times of the day. When you are active, you may notice less kicking than when you are resting. At your prenatal visits, your doctor will ask whether the baby is active.

In your last trimester, your doctor may ask you to count the number of times you feel your baby move.

How do you count fetal kicks?

Do not use an at-home Doppler heart monitor in place of counting fetal movements.


Credits for Pregnancy: Kick Counts

Current as of: July 10, 2023

Author: Healthwise Staff (https://www.healthwise.org/specialpages/legal/abouthw/en)
Clinical Review Board (https://www.healthwise.org/specialpages/legal/abouthw/en)
All Healthwise education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals.


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