Q: How often should baby kick?

Posted Thursday, August 16, 2007 10:21 PM

Q: Some days the baby kicks all the time and other days he's really quiet. Is this normal?

A: When in comes to in utero activity, there’s a wide range of normal. As long as baby’s overall level of movement is consistent, there’s no need to worry. If you’re in your second trimester or the early part of your third, your baby may be more active than you think. On some days, you simply may not feel all of his kicks and jabs. If you’re worried, try counting kicks over the course of a few days; ideally, you should feel at least 10 within 2 hours. Write down the time you feel the first kick, then note the time of every new one you feel until you reach 10. Don’t expect the same pattern every time you count. Remember, you are looking for significant deviations over the course of a couple of days. If you ever experience a sudden decrease in baby’s movements, check with your OB. She may want to take a look.

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