Kick Counting: Optimizing the Chance of Delivering a Healthy Baby

Kick counting is much more than just knowing that your baby moves. Kick counting can be a bonding time for both you and your partner, as together you can proactively protect your baby. It is best to systematically record daily kick counting to learn about your baby’s baseline movement rather than rely on memory recall. Your familiarity with your baby’s movements helps identify changes that may indicate potential pregnancy problems, which can allow your provider to institute timely intervention.

The goal of kick counting is not to make you anxious, but to have it be part of your daily prenatal care to screen for your baby’s well-being. By being aware of the baby’s movement patterns, you are empowered by working together with your medical team to reduce the risk of pregnancy complications, including preterm birth and stillbirth, and to ensure a safe pregnancy and a healthy baby.

– Diep Nguyen MD

Diep Nguyen MD, a Los Angeles-based obstetrician, is the founder of http://www.babykick.com%20and/ www.babykickalliance.org.

Also read:

What Kick Counting Can Tell You about the Health of Your Baby

Kick Counting: How should I Count the Kicks?