The fetal movement test is a simple record you can make of your baby's movements to help determine its well being and health. It can be done at home and all that is needed is a pencil and a piece of paper.
Download chart in Microsoft Excel format
Download chart in Adobe PDF format (requires Acrobat Reader)
A baby is generally considered healthy if the mother records three movements in a one hour period, or ten movements in a twelve hour period. BabyPartner's fetal kick chart uses the count-to-ten method because we believe it is less stressful for the mother who may spend most of the day worrying if she doesn't feel three movements during any given hour.
Most mothers probably notice more activity in their baby while they are sleeping. But that is because there are fewer distractions at night. In fact babies develop their own sleep-wake cycle, often sleeping for twenty minutes followed by activity for thirty minutes. Your meals will not increase or decrease the number of movements made by the baby, but alcohol, cigarettes, sedatives and narcotics will.
You may notice many different kinds of movements: kicks, turns, flips or swishes. Starting at nine in the morning record each movement you feel into your fetal kick chart at the time that you feel it. After noting the tenth movement you can stop counting for the day and start again the following morning. Remember than your baby may move ten times in thirty minutes or in twelve hours.
If by nine in the evening you have counted fewer than ten movements, note the total number of kicks you have felt in the space provided below. After a few days you will begin to notice a pattern of movements that you can share with your doctor, and that will alert you if something is wrong.
Your doctor will want to know about any changes which could be a sign of fetal distress and should be contacted if you notice any of the following:
If over the course of twelve hours you have felt no movements you should contact your doctor immediately to find out what is wrong. Usually the baby is sleeping, but your doctor will be able to determine your baby's health quickly using ultrasound or electronic fetal monitoring and make a decision about the need for intervention.
Download chart in Microsoft Excel format
Download chart in Adobe PDF format (requires Acrobat Reader)
No results found. Click here for amazon.com
