Why not 10 kicks in 2 hours? "10 kicks in 2 hours” is not a reliable or safe way to assess whether a baby is well. Maternal perception of fetal movements varies and depends on many factors including, placental position, amount of amniotic fluid, fetal sleep state, maternal smoking status, number of previous pregnancies and body type. Every Baby Has Their Own Normal Babies do not move in a standardised way. Some babies are very active, others are more subtle. Some have bursts of strong movement, others have frequent gentle rolls and stretches. Counting to 10 movements ignores the most important factor: what is normal for your baby. A baby who usually moves constantly but suddenly only just reaches 10 movements in two hours may still meet the “rule” yet that change could be a warning sign that something is wrong. The key message supported by evidence is this: A change in your baby’s usual pattern of movement can be an early sign that your baby is unwell. Focusing on reaching a target number can delay parents from seeking help when something feels different. A baby in distress may still move, just less strongly, less often, or differently. An Australian study found the “normal” number of fetal movements in 1 hour can vary from 4 to 100. The SLCOG says “By term, the average number of fetal movements per hour is 31, ranging between 16 to 45.” If a baby is very active, even with reduced movement they may still move 10 times in 2 hours, and an opportunity to notice and report the reduced movements would be missed What Should Parents Do Instead? Rather than counting to a number, parents should: Get to know their baby’s usual movement pattern Trust their instincts if movements feel reduced, weaker or slower Seek advice immediately if they are concerned, day or night You are never wasting anyone’s time by getting checked. Manage Cookie Preferences
"10 kicks in 2 hours” is not a reliable or safe way to assess whether a baby is well. Maternal perception of fetal movements varies and depends on many factors including, placental position, amount of amniotic fluid, fetal sleep state, maternal smoking status, number of previous pregnancies and body type. Every Baby Has Their Own Normal Babies do not move in a standardised way. Some babies are very active, others are more subtle. Some have bursts of strong movement, others have frequent gentle rolls and stretches. Counting to 10 movements ignores the most important factor: what is normal for your baby. A baby who usually moves constantly but suddenly only just reaches 10 movements in two hours may still meet the “rule” yet that change could be a warning sign that something is wrong. The key message supported by evidence is this: A change in your baby’s usual pattern of movement can be an early sign that your baby is unwell. Focusing on reaching a target number can delay parents from seeking help when something feels different. A baby in distress may still move, just less strongly, less often, or differently. An Australian study found the “normal” number of fetal movements in 1 hour can vary from 4 to 100. The SLCOG says “By term, the average number of fetal movements per hour is 31, ranging between 16 to 45.” If a baby is very active, even with reduced movement they may still move 10 times in 2 hours, and an opportunity to notice and report the reduced movements would be missed What Should Parents Do Instead? Rather than counting to a number, parents should: Get to know their baby’s usual movement pattern Trust their instincts if movements feel reduced, weaker or slower Seek advice immediately if they are concerned, day or night You are never wasting anyone’s time by getting checked.