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Why is it important to count my baby's kicks?

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Pregnant woman on her side counting kicks
You likely will first feel your baby start moving between Week 18 and Week 25. That initial sensation is known as quickening. You should feel movement especially when you are relaxed at night or after you have had a meal or something sweet to eat.

Once you reach your third trimester (Week 28), doctors recommend you start “counting kicks”—regularly monitoring your baby’s movement. Getting to know your baby’s movement patterns could help prevent stillbirth and identify potential problems.

Here’s how you do it:

• Set aside time in the morning and time in the evening.
• Find a comfortable position. Some moms-to-be sit with their feet up while others lie on their left side for better circulation (and potentially a more active baby).
• Start counting movements. See how long it takes to count 10 movements.
• Usually, it will take less than 30 minutes to get to 10. It can sometimes be up to two hours, though.
• If you have not felt 10 movements in two hours, wait a few hours and try again, according to the American Pregnancy Association. If during the second attempt, you still do not feel 10 movements in two hours, contact your doctor.
• Kick count charts are available online. You also could download smartphone apps that help keep track. One such free app is Count the Kicks, which can be found at the Apple App Store and Google Play Store.
• Remember that all babies move differently. If you notice a significant change in how much your baby is moving, contact your doctor immediately.

SOURCE: 
American Pregnancy Association

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