Count the Kicks: 5 Things Every Expectant Parent Should Know About Counting Their Baby’s Movements

[Updated on September 26, 2025 to include video of the webinar LABBN hosted with Count the Kicks for Outreach Specialists and other staff of our network’s home visiting organizations and Welcome Baby hospitals. Scroll down or click here to view recording.]

[Thanks to Count the Kicks for collaborating on this blog post!]

As pregnancy progresses, fetal movement becomes more noticeable. The light flutters or “butterflies” of the second trimester often become distinct kicks, jabs, and pokes by the third trimester.

Around the start of the third trimester (26–28 weeks), fetal movement typically settles into a more discernible pattern. This is the ideal time to begin monitoring those movements. Counting daily movements is an easy, free, and reliable method for checking on the baby’s well-being.

The Count the Kicks program helps expectant parents learn how to monitor their baby’s movements, and emphasizes the importance of speaking up if the baby’s movements ever change. Here are five things every expectant parent should know about kick-counting.

1. How to count the kicks

Starting at 28 weeks (or 26 weeks for high-risk pregnancies), download the free Count the Kicks app, use the web counter, or print out a paper chart. While sitting with feet elevated or lying on one side, count each fetal movement as one kick and record it until reaching 10 movements. Try to count around the same time each day. Hiccups are not counted, as they are involuntary movements.

Once 10 movements are recorded, the app prompts a rating of the strength of fetal movements on a scale from 1 to 5, with 1 being “fluttery” and 5 being “fierce.” After a few days of tracking, an average time to reach 10 movements will begin to appear, helping establish a baseline and increasing familiarity with the strength of the movements.

2. Kick-counting is for every baby and every pregnancy

Every baby and pregnancy is different, which is why it’s important to become familiar with the average amount of time it takes to reach 10 movements. Again, it helps to count the kicks at the same time each day, ideally during a period when fetal activity is typically higher.

Research shows a change in a baby’s movements could be the earliest, and sometimes only, sign that there might be an issue with your pregnancy. Just like adults tend to rest or become less active when not feeling well, fetal movement can also decrease when something isn’t right. A change in a baby’s normal movement patterns could be a red flag, and could indicate the need for immediate evaluation by a healthcare provider.

3. Kick-counting helps you bond with a baby (and reduce anxiety)

Counting kicks can help the whole family bond with the baby. You might invite partners or other children to join in the process and connect with the baby during pregnancy.

Count the Kicks app users report that using the app regularly helped them feel less anxious and more bonded with their baby. Available in over 20 languages, the app features easy-to-read graphs that display baby’s normal movement history, a strength rating, and daily reminders to count.

The app allows tracking of movements for both single babies and twins, with the option to download session data for texting or emailing directly to a healthcare provider. Notes can also be added, such as details about meals or questions to discuss at the next appointment.

4. Babies do not slow down or run out of room at the end of pregnancy

As the due date approaches, types of movements may change (more jabs, fewer rolls), but babies should move up to and even during labor. Even active babies can experience distress, sometimes quickly and without other warning signs.

When fetal movements are monitored at the same time each day, it typically takes a similar amount of time to reach 10 movements. Daily tracking makes it easier to recognize changes, and to share data with a healthcare provider if there are any concerns.

5. Contact a health care provider if you notice changes

During prenatal appointments, ask your doctor about kick-counting. Mention Count the Kicks, and offer to share your tracking data with them. Make sure you know how to contact your provider about any concerns, and ask them under what circumstances you should go directly to the hospital.

If you notice a change in fetal movement, be sure to contact your health care provider (or go directly to the hospital). It is also important to monitor the strength of movements and inform your provider if they become weaker.

Share Count the Kicks with every expectant parent you know

Kick-counting should be a common practice for all expectant parents during the third trimester. Visit the app store to download the free Count the Kicks app to start understanding what is normal for the baby. And share with any friends or family members who are expecting.

Watch the recording of Count the Kicks’ webinar held on September 26, 2025 for Outreach Specialists and other staff of our network’s home visiting organizations and Welcome Baby hospitals – and don’t miss the links to related resources below:

Resources for home visitors and other providers to share:

• Presentation slides for this webinar
• The free Count the Kicks app: no ads or pop ups, available in 20+ languages and provides a “Find Help” resource tab to help users find free/low cost resources in their own communities. Recently added the AI “Ask Ana” feature that only pulls from approved research sources.
• Printable Charts: available in multiple languages, these charts make movement monitoring accessible for those who don’t have access to a mobile device or reliable Wi-Fi.
• Free Educational Materials: order free cards, brochures, posters, and wristbands in multiple languages.
• Count the Kicks Digital Education: helps expectant parents get to know their baby’s normal movement patterns during the third trimester of pregnancy. Learn how with our digital How to Count flyers.
• Count the Kicks Champion program: CTK Champions are identified individuals within an organization trained and certified to educate and empower expectant parents on the importance of kick counting in the third trimester of pregnancy.