How do you count kicks overnight?

[DaleyBump]

So I'm just starting to count my little boy's kicks at 27 weeks and I'm wondering how to count them overnight? He's quite active overnight and I feel like my kick count isn't accurate because I just sleep through him kicking

Erm, I haven't?

You can't stay awake 24/7 surely?

I usually notice whether he's kicking when I get up for the loo.

I never did! Come to think of it, i didn't ever keep a record during the day, although I used to drink cold water to make them wiggle if i'd not felt anything for a while.

You don't.

It's that simple.

In your waking hours you keep a rough mental note of what's been going in. When you're asleep you can't do that.

You do need to sleep.

So you can establish if the kicks lessen?

I just get used to a pattern, I know that baby wakes in the evenings and moves most from about 9 until I sleep, then normally awake in the morning and a few movements in the daytime.

No need to count actual kicks. You'll notice a change.

I don't actively count kicks in the day, let alone at night! I'm aware that I regularly feel movements, and would have a cold drink or give my bump a prod if I hadn't felt anything for a whole, but with two children and a job I don't have time to be counting kicks too!

I find it comforting to count them. He's quite slow usually and I've had to go up to hospital to get monitored twice already because he stops moving for hours and hours at a time. I use a kick counter bracelet - it's not difficult.

Thanks for the replies.

I don't tend to count them at all. But I notice if there is a big dip in the amount of movements and then I'll have something sugary to make her move again x

Daley - it's normal to have hours and hours of quiet bump, especially during the day when your moving around. Baby has sleep cycles, and can sleep a lot during the day due to your movements.

I'm 34 weeks and yesterday was the only time I've felt baby move pretty much all day. I though he/she was trying to fight his/her way out!

I went in to the day unit at the hospital for a couple of hours at 27-8 weeks as I hadn't felt baby kick, and baby had just turned around and was facing my back. I could hear movements on the monitor but couldn't feel anything!

The kicks get much stronger as they run out of room.

You sound like you might have high levels of anxiety (if you don't mind me saying). I think you can trust yourself to know when baby has been unnaturally quiet. You don't need proof if you feel you're experiencing reduced movements - the midwives will believe you.

I understand that, and I am incredibly anxious but if I feel that he's not moving as much as he usually would then I'm going to go and get checked. Better safe than sorry, tbh.

You don't, because you're asleep.

Honestly? Do you actually think someone is going to tell you how to do this?

There isn't a way. Unless you and your DP sleep in shifts, so someone's keeping an eye on things at all times.

I think you might be better off speaking to someone about your anxiety than trying to work out a solution to this.

Wow, I was only asking a question. I'm not obsessing over counting his kicks, I was going off a comment on the Count The Kicks website that said you should count them at night time as "you'll be up anyway." I don't wake up in the middle of the night panicking or anything. I was only wondering

So then if you're "up anyway", you count them as normal.

And if you're not, you don't. I'm not sure what else you could do

You really do sound quite anxious, though. Keep an eye on that.

I am anxious. I am keeping an eye on it. I fail to see what that has to do with asking a simple question. I didn't expect a bashing

Ok.

I actually found the Count the Kicks website hugely intimidating, like I would somehow be missing something vital if I wasn't constantly focused on little Boo's wriggles (currently 27+6). I had a visit to my Mat Assessment Unit in an upset too and was told that because of of my anterior placenta I wouldn't feel so much. My midwife said I should have an idea of my baby's regular movements (Little Boo like to kick around 6am, 11am and 8-9pm) and make an effort to check that they're moving then. But actually counting individually (especially with the "helpful" guidance around no hiccups, 3 moves in quick succession only counts as one etc etc) isn't needed. Hope this helps - before I got told that I really felt like I was letting my baby down.

I have never even heard of counting the kicks to this extent and find it rather unnerving.

I think for a naturally anxious person that is wholly inadvisable and would strongly recommend you do speak to your GP or midwife about your unusual levels of anxiety and seek help because anxiety can be crushing and quickly escalate.

Good luck

DaleyBump. I'm also anxious about a lot of things being a first time mum. I think the last poster makes sense and i only check at certain times during the day that i can feel baby move. I've just checked now and he kicked my hand. I think some of the other posts have been very personal so just ignore them x

Hi Daley

I'm at a similar stage to you (27+5) and understand that you feel anxious about monitoring movements as it's quite difficult to get your head around!

I don't 'count' kicks as such but you can if you wish and record them using your bracelet. The reason I don't count is because my baby is very active and I would find it hard to keep track during the day when working etc so my counting wouldn't be accurate. I'm always aware when baby is moving (posterior placenta) so I just make a rough mental note.

I feel baby at night if I'm awake e.g. getting up for the loo, or a drink or something and either way baby usually starts having a party at about 5am so that wakes me. I get up for work at 6.15am so would know if I hadn't felt it move and would then know there was a change. I do think it would be difficult to count over night as you would be less aware due to sleeping.

I'm totally rambling here but I think the important thing is to get used to the pattern as well as counting. Does your baby move at particular times e.g. after breakfast or evening meal, when you are sat at your desk etc. Being aware of this will help you spot changes. You do right to ring for advice if you get worried.

Also remember that as well as kicks you might feel other movements e.g. I feel pokes, rolls, swishes as well which count as movements.

Do you have a 28 week mw app soon? Maybe ask your mw to explain more about monitoring movements?

Good luck x