More than a
fun and meditative bonding time, counting kicks helps you monitor your baby's
well-being.
Paying
attention to a fetus’s movements in utero has been linked with a decrease in
stillbirth.
Rather than
causing anxiety, reassurance is the most likely result. “Most women who notice
a decrease in movement will still have a healthy outcome,” says OB-GYN Ruth
Fretts, M.D., an assistant professor at Harvard Medical School in Boston who
researches stillbirth prevention. “The biggest concern is when it happens
repeatedly.”
How to Do a
Kick Count
Pick a time
of day when your baby is most active, usually after you’ve had a snack or light
meal.
Once you’re sure she’s awake, sit with your
feet up or lie on your side and start counting movements. Twists, turns,
swishes, rolls and jabs also count as “kicks.” Hiccups do not. Log the number
of minutes it takes to count 10 movements.
Doing a kick
count generally takes 10 to 15 minutes, but it might take as long as two hours.
Overweight women may have a harder time perceiving kicks. Also remember that
the sensations won’t be as sharp and noticeable as your pregnancy progresses
and the baby has less room to move around.
What to Do
if You're Worried
Call your
doctor or midwife if it takes longer than two hours to count 10 kicks; a
nonstress test should be performed to check the baby’s heart rate.
An
ultrasound could offer further explanation, If the nonstress test is normal,
continue charting the kicks daily. You should be evaluated each time you
perceive a problem.
Also be
aware that if the idea of charting kicks makes you anxious, studies have shown
that simply paying attention to your baby’s movements in utero and reporting
potential problems to your doctor or midwife can also reduce the possibility of
stillbirth.
By: Kim
Schworm Acosta
Photo
Credit: Google Images
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