Written by Nneka Hall (12/2017; Edited by Dr. Ashley Barksdale (03/2025)

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WARNING: Infant loss is mentioned in this blog post.

I am a mother of four—three here with me and one who rests in paradise. My third child, Annaya, was stillborn at 39 weeks due to missed preeclampsia.

There were so many missed warning signs, signs that—had I known then what I know now—could have saved her life. One of the biggest red flags was a change in her movement patterns.

I did everything I could to increase her kicks:
✔ Extra cups of orange juice
✔ Extra bowls of her favorite cereal, Alphabits (and even Frosted Flakes)
✔ Extra trips to my OB’s office for reassurance

Each time, I was told, “You’re nearing 40 weeks—everything is normal.” But I had never heard of kick counting or how important it is to track a baby’s movements.

Now, I share my story because I want every expectant parent to know—kick counting saves lives.

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Why Is Counting Kicks So Important?

The question “Is your baby moving?” is not enough to determine your baby’s well-being.

✔ Any movement—even fluid shifts—can be mistaken for a kick.
✔ Every baby has a unique movement pattern, and understanding that pattern can help you know when something is not right.
✔ Studies show that reduced fetal movement is a warning sign of potential complications, including stillbirth (Saastad et al., 2011).

The best way to track your baby’s health? Count the kicks.

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When to Start Counting Kicks

You should begin tracking fetal movement when you can clearly feel your baby’s kicks or movements—typically around 25-26 weeks gestation.

Kick counting is a simple and effective way to bond with your baby while also monitoring their well-being.

📌 Research shows that mothers who track fetal movements and report changes to their providers have better birth outcomes (Tveit et al., 2009).

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How to Count Kicks: A Step-by-Step Guide

1️⃣ Pick a time when your baby is normally active.
✔ Try to do this at the same time every day for consistency.
✔ Babies tend to be more active after meals, cold drinks, or sweet foods.

2️⃣ Get comfortable.
✔ Sit on the couch with your feet up or lie on your left side (this increases blood flow to the baby).
✔ Stay hydrated—grab a glass of water before you begin.

3️⃣ Count every movement as one kick.
✔ A kick, roll, flutter, or jab all count.
✔ Time how long it takes to feel 10 movements.

4️⃣ Expect the session to last between 30 minutes and 2 hours.
✔ Every baby is different—some reach 10 movements in under 30 minutes, while others may take longer.
✔ The key is understanding your baby’s normal pattern.

5️⃣ Keep a journal or use an app.
✔ Write down the time it takes to feel 10 movements each day.
✔ If you notice a significant change, IMMEDIATELY contact your doctor or midwife.

📌 TIP: You can use a kick-counting app to track movements easily! One great resource is Count the Kicks.

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When to Call Your Doctor

🚨 Call your provider IMMEDIATELY if:
✔ You notice a significant decrease in movement.
✔ It takes longer than normal to count 10 kicks.
✔ You feel something is off, even if you’re unsure.

💡 You know your baby best. If something doesn’t feel right, speak up! Many mothers who have experienced stillbirth recall feeling that “something was wrong”—but were reassured everything was “fine” (Heazell et al., 2018).

DO NOT WAIT UNTIL THE NEXT APPOINTMENT. Go to labor and delivery or call your provider right away.

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Kick Counting Saves Lives

Stillbirth affects 1 in 160 pregnancies in the U.S. (CDC, 2023). But many stillbirths are preventable, and monitoring fetal movements is a powerful way to reduce the risk.

💛 I wish I had known about kick counting when I was pregnant with Annaya.
💛 I share this knowledge in her memory—to help prevent another mother from experiencing this devastating loss.

Now that you know, share this information with another expectant parent. Together, we can save lives.

🔗 Want more info? Visit www.countthekicks.org

💬 Have you used kick counting? Share your experience in the comments!

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Final Thoughts

✅ Kick counting is simple.
✅ It helps you bond with your baby.
✅ Most importantly, it can SAVE your baby’s life.

Annaya’s story fuels my passion for raising awareness. If even one baby is saved because a parent read this, then sharing my story is worth it.

If you found this post helpful, please share it! You never know who may need this information.

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References

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (2023). Stillbirth data and prevention strategies. Retrieved from www.cdc.gov
• Heazell, A. E. P., Warland, J., Varcoe, C., et al. (2018). Stillbirth: Still A Silent Epidemic. BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth, 18(1), 391.
• Saastad, E., Ahlborg, T., Froen, J. F. (2011). Low maternal awareness of fetal movement is associated with negative birth outcomes. American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology, 204(5), 403.e1-403.e8.
• Tveit, J. V. H., Saastad, E., Stray-Pedersen, B., et al. (2009). Reduction of late stillbirth with improved management of decreased fetal movements: A randomized controlled trial. BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, 116(13), 1685-1691.

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