Various different opinions on kick counting. One way is to pick the same time each day when you know little one will be active, usually when you are trying to go to sleep, and timing how long it takes to feel ten kicks, punches, swishes etc. it should take less than 2 hours.
Another way of doing it is to check when you feel something may be wrong, eg if usually your LO is so very active they are punching you all the time, then you notice the pattern changing, but not necessarily consciously. You can repeat the counting a few hours later, or call triage when you first notice a difference. I would always say call sooner. From around 28 weeks is recommended.
Most days I know full well baby is fine and dandy, but the other day he was quiet, it seemed, so I went and laid down in bed, on my left hand side, and had been walloped 10 times in a couple of minutes, if that.
Always rely on your gut instinct, and monitor movements. The days are gone when you can be reassured by the Doppler only. If a baby is struggling, movements will decrease, but heart beat may be fine for some time. If movements change or decrease, get it checked by a professional.