Most healthcare providers recommend beginning kick counting around 28 weeks of pregnancy, when movements become more regular and easier to detect. If you have a high-risk pregnancy (conditions like hypertension, diabetes, previous pregnancy loss, or growth restriction), your provider might suggest starting earlier, around 24-26 weeks. The key is to establish a baseline for what’s normal for your baby, so you can recognize any significant changes. If you’re unsure when to begin, ask your healthcare provider at your next prenatal appointment—they may have specific recommendations based on your individual pregnancy.

This is a common misconception that can be dangerous. While the quality or type of movements might change as your baby grows and has less room in the uterus, the frequency should not significantly decrease. In late pregnancy, you might notice more rolling or shifting movements rather than sharp kicks, but you should still feel your baby move regularly throughout the day. Research has clearly shown that babies don’t move less before labor. In fact, a notable decrease in movement at any stage, including late pregnancy, should be reported to your healthcare provider immediately. This outdated belief about decreased movement being normal has unfortunately led to delays in seeking care that could have prevented adverse outcomes.

It’s very common for babies to be most active when you’re trying to rest or sleep! This happens for several reasons: when you’re still, you’re more likely to notice movements; the sound of your blood flow and digestive system is more audible to your baby when you’re lying down; and the rocking motion that occurs when you’re moving around may actually lull your baby to sleep. While this might be inconvenient, it’s completely normal. For kick counting purposes, you don’t need to wait until bedtime—choose any time of day when your baby is typically active. If nighttime is when your baby tends to be most active, you could do your kick counting session in the evening before you try to sleep, rather than after you’ve already gone to bed.

Early in pregnancy (before about 24 weeks), it can sometimes be difficult to distinguish between fetal movements and other sensations. Baby movements are often described as feeling like flutters, bubbles, or light taps from the inside. Gas bubbles tend to feel more like pressure that travels along your digestive tract, while muscle twitches are typically brief and localized in your abdominal wall. As your pregnancy progresses, baby movements become more distinct—kicks, jabs, and rolls that are unmistakable. If you’re unsure, try placing your hand on your abdomen when you feel something; often you can feel or even see your baby move from the outside during the third trimester. Ultrasounds can also help confirm what you’re feeling, so don’t hesitate to ask your provider during a prenatal appointment if you’re still uncertain.

Some variation in activity from day to day is normal. Babies, like adults, may have more energetic days followed by periods of greater rest. However, there are important distinctions to understand: While the intensity of movements might vary, you should still feel regular movement every day, even on “quieter” days. If you notice a significant decrease from what’s normal for your baby, especially if it lasts more than a day, it’s best to contact your healthcare provider. The key concern is a pattern change that persists or a sudden drop in movements, rather than subtle variations within a generally active pattern. If you’re ever in doubt, it’s always safest to check with your healthcare provider—monitoring tools like non-stress tests can quickly provide reassurance or identify potential issues.