kick counts - curious

holley79 wrote: I was reading in my book and on my calender said that it was time to keep up with kick counts. I understand the description of kick counts and what not. My question is this, is it really important?

I work weird hours. I will feel her move around in there at different times when I am at work/ home. She doesn't really have a set time that she is the most active that I have noticed. As long as you feel "strong" fetal movement is that close enough? I really don't have anyway to go find a "quiet place" and lay down to do kick counts.

Just wondering if anyone had any suggestions as to how they handled kick counts.

Thank you bunches for always letting me "talk".

luvbug00 replied: sadly I never heard of this until about 10 min. ago researching pregnancy,
I found this

http://www.americanpregnancy.org/duringpre.../kickcounts.htm

punkeemunkee'smom replied: I was a nervous mommy when I was pg and so I was always at the doctor if I didn't feel "enough" movement-he always said that as long as I was feeling good strong movement and was able to excite her to move when she was quite all was well! I think it is more about the fact that she is moving every few hours~ Tay was a LAZY baby until the end of my pregnancy.

MyBlueEyedBabies replied: My guess is as long as you feel lots of movements your probably fine. I had to do the Orange Juice laying on my left side and then still ended up in the dr. or hospital many many times due to not feeling movement.

TeagansMom609 replied: My Dr. just mentioned this to me the other day at my visit. I didnt do it with my last pregnancy, and im not going to do it with this one. I feel the baby move all the time, and thats enough for me. If I didnt feel the baby move for a few hours I might start to worry but its very rare that I dont feel movement for a long period of time. I wouldnt sweat doing the kick counts as long as you feel the baby moving enough.

A&A'smommy replied: yeah I was just typing this out and then I read this

If you have followed the above recommendations and have not felt 10 kicks by the end of the second hour, wait a few hours and try again. If after trying a second time, you do not feel 10 movements within 2 hours you should contact your health care provider.
If you notice a significant deviation from the pattern over the course of 3-4 days.

anyway as long as you feel LOTS of strong movements thats good too

~Roo'sMama~ replied: I tried to remember to do kick counts but I hardly ever did. I think my doctor (or maybe it was a book I don't remember) said that if you feel less than 10 movements in a whole day then you should drink some oj or ice water and lie down on your side for a half hour or an hour and count how many times you feel movement. But if you are feeling her move throughout the day I wouldn't worry about actually counting them.

holley79 replied:
Thank you for the link. I was just wondering about the kick counts. All the women I work with are older and never heard of it either. I have a habit of switching from water to sweet tea while I'm at work. Every now and again drink a Mountain Dew. She is quiet active so I really don't worry about it too much but was just wondering what everyone else had to say about it.

As of right now I am sitting at my desk and she is kicking hard enough to bounce my badge. I think she is good. LOL

MyBrownEyedBoy replied: I worked a 10 hour night shift for 7 days in a row while I was prego. And my midwife was perfectly happy as long as I consistently felt movement. She never suggested I find a quiet place and lay down and count them. Go with your gut, pun intended.

CantWait replied: I never did these until I got a little scare one day and didn't feel the baby at all. Usually though I was able to feel him on a regular basis, and therefore didn't do the kick counts.

mysweetpeasWil&Wes replied: I would hate to tell you not to do them and then something happen, so I always advise to do what your doctor recommends. I didn't necessarily count each time, but I was very aware of movement, as I'm sure you are. The cold drink method does work.

MomToJade&Jordan replied: Because of my pre-eclampsia I am always asked how long it takes me to get my fetal kick counts. It's a very easy way to determine a decrease in fetal movement. For me there is a possibility that the placenta will stop working correctly which causes the amount of fluid in the uterus to decrease. If there is a lack of fluid the baby might not move as much. So far everything has been fine and my baby is very active. I have an AFI twice a week which actually is an u/s that checks the babies fluid. The kick counts are just a precaution. I wouldn't worry if you are feeling the baby move on and off during the day. If by some chance you have one of those busy days and you don't remember if you have felt the baby move it's a way to put your mind at ease.

holley79 replied: I have a doctor appointment Thursday so I will see what she has to say. I appreciate the feedback from everyone. This site has been the most helpful. I hope that at some point I can give back what I got from you guys.

MyBrownEyedBoy replied:
You are so sweet. You're welcome and I am sure you will be able to give back as well.

kimberley replied: i don't count kicks but am constantly aware of any decrease in movement in a span of a day. my midwife said the decrease i have noticed recently is just cuz baby is getting bigger and has less room but wants me to tell her everytime i do notice a decrease just to be safe.