Questions & Answers

Talking from experience... I would say when you lay down for the night, have a small glass of cold juice. Lay there... if you feel movements you are good. If no movements after drinking cold juice, that is a time to make a call to the Doc. Don't wait like I did and think it was because it was a busy day...

I second what the others have said. If you're up and moving around, it is unlikely you will feel baby move around much. Your movements will lull them to sleep. Also, when you do your kick counts, make sure you do it at a time you know your baby is usually active. My ob says 6 movements within an hour is acceptable, but some prefer 10 movements in an hour. And honestly, only you know your baby's routine, so always go with your gut instinct. If something doesn't feel right, don't hesitate to call your doctor or speak up about it.

Thanks ladies! My mind is at ease....and that's saying something.

We went to our Hospital's info session on Monday, the chief Midwife said that if you notice less than 10 sessions of movement in 24 hours, then you should call (she also told us to wobble our bellies to wake baby up if we were worried :-)). I've been doing the housework this morning and haven't felt baby movement for about 2 hours, but I know as soon as I sit down to eat, he'll turn into the Karate Kid!
I've seen a lot of differences in information between different books and websites, it can be very confusing. Don't worry too much, if your Doctor tells you baby is fine, then he's fine :-)

Hi Malpal, well I defo do not feel this baby move ever hour, he likes his sleep! And being on baby number 4 I can say they have all had different routines, and none have been the same.

Do you have some sort of idea of routine for baby? for example, if I get up for the bathroom in the night baby is asleep, but within about 5mins of laying back down he is awake. Or if he's asleep and I eat an ice cream he will soon wake up. He likes to move lots just before meal times, but is usually quiet when I am eating. Baby doesn't seem to wiggle around if I am out walking (or possibly it's harder to feel the movements because I am walking). If I am sitting badly and 'squish' the bump abit he will get fussy and stretch out and I know I need to move. Are there any foods you eat that usually wake baby up? could you try that if you were worried about not feeling something for a while? The amount of amniotic fluid and position of baby will make a difference in what you feel too.
xx

The way it says it is misleading. The baby doesn't move every hour. Basically you want to pick an time that the baby is awake and moving and then lay back, relax, and start your kick counts. If the baby doesn't move 10 times over that hour that's when you may have to be concerned. You want to do the count when you are relaxed. Eating or drinking something cold and sugary can help. (I like to eat a popsicle)

My baby has never been extremely active, but I would normally get 10 movements in about 2 min up until around 32 weeks. Now it's taking about 30 min to hit 10 movements because baby is just out of room! The movements changed and became much more subtle, I don't feel kicks anymore, it's more rolls and elbows and knees. But a movement is a movement according to my ob.

Don't be afraid to talk to your ob about kick counts, I brought it up to my ob last week that it was taking longer to hit 10 movements and she or my mind at ease.

I use an app called "Kick Me" on my phone that lets me do kick counting sessions. When I was sitting in my baby classes, I would do it especially and I'd make it to 10 kicks in well under 20 minutes although there are 4 legs and arms moving about. It's a fun little app. Remember too that any movement counts, big or small!

Back away from the computer.......slowly....

Don't worry I DO NOT feel movement every hour. I go hours without discernible movement. Also, don't read too much from online sites. Forums though are good places to find info from other women. It's also hard to tell sometimes if you are feeling it, especially when you're active. From everything I've read, which is basically from women consulting with their doctors, if you are concerned, lay down or be still for a while and count the kicks. Some places say look for 10 kicks in an hour some say 10 kicks or some type of movement in 2 hours. I have to do this almost each weekend because mine are so quiet then. I think if you didn't feel anything for 24 hrs, I'd call my doctor but definitely not each hour!