Counting helps determine the movements of the fetus in utero. He must move regularly every day. Once we start to identify its rhythm, we can perceive possible alterations.

The hits are not necessarily hits as such, it can be a move, a turn or a push.

At the beginning of pregnancy, the movements are not felt clearly. Babies can move in the first few weeks of pregnancy, but they are so small that the mother cannot feel the movements. Indeed, it is possible that they are confused with gas, because it is not even the size of a butterfly. Still, it’s a precious feeling.

Thus, it is at the 26th week that the movements become more noticeable. However, the mother may not feel it until the 28th week. In addition, some women start counting strokes as early as the 20th week of pregnancy.

Why do you have to count the hits?

Daily movements are part of its development and the evolution of this process. Therefore, keeping a record of baby shots offers important information about the health of the fetus.

The baby in utero should not stop moving for no apparent reason. If there is a problem, it can be determined by the frequency of his movements.

Information that may not seem important can alert the doctor to significant changes. For example, it could be a sign that the baby is not getting enough oxygen or that there is not enough room in the womb.

Therefore, if you notice a difference in the frequency of movements, talk to your doctor.

Experts believe that the sooner these problems happen, the more likely you are to be able to deal with them. Thus, it is desirable to start counting the hits as soon as they occur.

How many hits did you feel today?

If you are at an advanced stage of pregnancy and you still don’t know where you are with the punches, fear not, you still have time. Most likely, your pregnancy is going normally and your baby is fine and there is no problem.

Nevertheless, we advise you to start counting the movements that you perceive. How and when to start Here are some tips you can follow:

• Give yourself a schedule to count hits. Make sure it is the same time every day.
• To choose the right time, take a look at the times when your baby seems awake and active. If he is not awake, you can gently touch his abdomen to wake him up, drink something cold, and walk for a bit.
• It is better to count when you have just eaten or tasted, as food can increase its activity. However, if you’ve consumed caffeine, it’s best to wait an hour or two before you start counting. The baby’s activity may be affected by caffeine consumption, so your count may not be completely reliable.
• There are several ways you can count strokes, and your doctor may recommend one. However, the methodology remains more or less constant:

1. Record the start of the count on a graph or watch to determine the time it takes to count.
2. Sit or lie on your right side. Place your hand on the largest part of the abdomen.
3. Start counting the moves until you count 10.
4. Keep a record of the time it took to count these 10 strokes. Write it down in a fixed place.
5. If in a period of two hours you have not counted all 10 strokes, we recommend that you wait an hour and start over. The baby may be asleep while you are expecting, but this is not necessarily a problem.

The waiting period for the 10 shots can vary from 30 minutes to two hours. However, under normal conditions it shouldn’t take more than two hours for you to feel all 10 hits. It is estimated that the baby can sleep up to 40 minutes during this exercise.

When to consult a doctor ?

Counting the shots helps to identify some irregularities, in this case you need to consult a doctor immediately. For example, if you notice that you no longer feel your baby so often throughout the day.

It is also advisable to go to a specialist if you do not feel your baby all day. Here are other reasons for consultation:

• You have noticed a change in the number of strokes you feel daily.
• After counting twice in the space of two hours, you failed to count 10 counts.
• You have doubts about other data on your baby’s movement.