What kick counting actually is
Kick counting is a simple habit: you pay attention to fetal movements — rolls, jabs, flutters, whooshes — during a quiet window so you learn what is normal for your baby. It is not a score to impress anyone. It is pattern awareness.
Babies have sleep stretches and active stretches. The goal is noticing a clear change from recent days, not matching a stranger’s timing on the internet.
When people usually start
Many clinicians talk more about intentional movement awareness in the third trimester, often from around week 28, though guidance varies with your history. Follow your midwife or doctor if they ask you to start earlier or use a specific protocol.
Before that, mid-pregnancy flutters are still worth noticing casually — see weeks in our week-by-week guide — but formal counting is often a later habit.
A simple method you can repeat
- Pick a consistent time when baby is usually active (often evening).
- Get comfortable — side-lying or semi-reclined in a quiet place helps many people.
- Start a session in Preglo’s kick counter and tap for each distinct movement.
- Stop at your clinician’s target (commonly around 10 movements) or at the timed window they prefer.
- Save the session so you can compare today’s rhythm with yesterday’s without relying on memory.
What usually counts
Rolls, punches, and clear flutters typically count as movements. Continuous hiccup rhythms may be treated differently depending on your clinician’s advice — ask if you are unsure. Do not chase perfection; chase consistency.
When to get help
If movements feel much weaker or fewer than your baby’s usual pattern, contact your care provider or maternity triage the same day. Do not wait for an app metric to “confirm” worry. Read more in reduced fetal movement and the 10-kick count method.
Why count inside Preglo
Separate kick apps create another silo. Preglo keeps sessions next to your week tracker, water log, and notes — private on your iPhone, with optional iCloud backup.
Educational guidance only. Preglo does not diagnose complications and never replaces urgent clinical care.