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

When to Call for Pregnancy - Baby Moving Less
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

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.

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