Are You Sick?
Pregnancy - Baby Moving Less
Is this your symptom?
- Concerns that the baby is moving less
- Questions about how to do a kick count
- Pregnant and patient is not in labor and does not have vaginal bleeding
Key Points
- Quickening is when a woman first feels her baby move. This usually occurs between the 18th and 20th week of pregnancy.
- Thin women feel the baby move sooner than overweight women.
Women use many different words to describe their babies' movements:
- Early in pregnancy women may describe a "fluttering," a "nudge," a "butterfly," or a slight "twitch."
- Later in pregnancy the baby's movements are more forceful. Women may then describe "hard kicking," "punching," or "rolling."
Baby Movement and Pregnancy Dates:
- 1-15 Weeks: baby is too small for mother to feel the baby move.
- 16-18 Weeks: some women begin to feel the baby move, especially if they had a baby before.
- 18-20 Weeks: many women begin to feel the baby move around this time.
- 20-23 Weeks: most women begin to feel the baby move around this time.
- 24 Weeks: all women should feel the baby move by this time.
- Over 28 Weeks: some doctors advise that women check kick counts each day.
Performing Daily Kick Counts:
- Doing a daily "kick count" or using a "kick chart" is one way to track your baby's movement.
- Some doctors recommend kick counts and some doctors do not.
- In some cases (such as a high-risk pregnancy), it may be more important to check daily kick counts.
Kick Count Instructions
- Pick the time of the day that your baby is most active.
- Sit back in a comfortable chair or lie down on your left side in bed.
- Do this in a quiet room (no TV, cell phone, computer, or children).
- Count any baby movement (kicks, rolls, flutters). Count up to 10.
- Normal Kick Count: 5 or more in one hour, or 10 or more in 2 hours.
- Low Kick Count: Less than 5 in one hour, or less than 10 in 2 hours.
When to Call for Pregnancy - Baby Moving Less
Call 911 Now
Call Doctor or Seek Care Now
|
Contact Doctor Within 24 Hours
Contact Doctor During Office Hours
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Self Care at Home
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Call 911 Now
- You think you have a life-threatening emergency
Call Doctor or Seek Care Now
- Baby is moving less or seem different than usual
- You have not felt your baby move in the past 2 hours
- Trouble breathing, but not severe
- New swelling of hands or face
- Blood pressure is greater than 140/90
- Vaginal bleeding, but not severe
- Abdominal pain, but not severe
- Sudden onset of itching all over
- Fever or chills; feeling hot or shivery
- Repeated vomiting and can't keep fluids down
- You feel weak or very sick
- You think you need to be seen, and the problem is urgent
Contact Doctor Within 24 Hours
- Pain or burning when passing urine
- You think you need to be seen, but the problem is not urgent
Contact Doctor During Office Hours
- You are 20 or more weeks pregnant and have not felt the baby move yet
- You have other questions or concerns
Self Care at Home
- Baby moving normally OR normal kick count
Care Advice for Baby Moving Less
What You Should Know:
- Quickening is when a woman first feels her baby move. This usually occurs between the 18th and 20th week of pregnancy.
- Thin women feel the baby move sooner than overweight women.
- Early in pregnancy women may describe a "fluttering," a "nudge," a "butterfly," or a slight "twitch."
- Later in pregnancy the baby's movements are more forceful. Women may then describe "hard kicking," "punching," or "rolling."
Baby Movement and Pregnancy Dates:
- 1-15 Weeks: baby is too small for mother to feel the baby move.
- 16-18 Weeks: some women begin to feel the baby move, especially if they had a baby before.
- 18-20 Weeks: many women begin to feel the baby move around this time.
- 20-23 Weeks: most women begin to feel the baby move around this time.
- 24 Weeks: all women should feel the baby move by this time.
- Over 28 Weeks: some doctors advise that women check kick counts each day.
Checking Daily Kick Counts:
- Doing a daily "kick count" or using a "kick chart" is one way to track your baby's movement.
- Some doctors advise kick counts and some doctors do not.
- In some cases (such as a high-risk pregnancy), it may be more important to check daily kick counts.
How to Do a Kick Count:
- Pick the time of the day that your baby is most active.
- Sit back in a comfortable chair or lie down on your left side in bed.
- Do this in a quiet room (no TV, cell phone, computer, or children).
- Count any baby movement (kicks, rolls, flutters). Count up to 10.
- Normal Kick Count: 5 or more in one hour, or 10 or more in 2 hours.
- Low Kick Count: less than 5 in one hour, or less than 10 in 2 hours.
Call Your Doctor If:
- Low kick count (less than 5 in 1 hour, or less than 10 in 2 hours)
- Kick count is normal, but you still are worried that something is wrong
- You have other questions
- You think you need to be seen
- You get worse
Remember! Contact your doctor if you or your child develop any "Contact Your Doctor" symptoms.
Disclaimer: this health information is for educational purposes only. You, the reader, assume full responsibility for how you choose to use it.
Copyright 2025 Schmitt Decision Logic LLC.
