Do Kick Counts Really Matter? What the Evidence Says
Reviewed by Safi Allah Khan
Medically reviewed by: Safi Allah Khan · Written by the Momi team · Last updated 20 October 2026
Quick answer: Do kick counts really matter? Research hasn't proven that formal daily counting alone prevents stillbirth. But a change in your baby's movements can be an early warning sign, and every major guideline says to get checked straight away if movements slow down, weaken or change. Counting is one way to learn your baby's normal pattern.
This page looks at the evidence fairly, explains why UK and US advice differ, and sets out what everyone agrees on. To learn the method, see kick counts: how and when; to count now, open the kick counter.
Why baby movements matter
Your baby's movements are one of the few signs you can notice yourself between appointments. RCOG has a dedicated guideline, now in its second edition, on how midwives and doctors should care for people who report reduced fetal movements. The NHS says you should feel your baby move right up to and during labor, and that a reduction or change must be checked immediately.
So the question isn't whether movements matter. They do. The question is whether counting a set number each day improves outcomes compared with simply knowing your baby's pattern.
What the research says
The AFFIRM trial (2018)
AFFIRM, published in The Lancet, is the largest study. It took place in 33 hospitals in the UK and Ireland and included 409,175 pregnancies. Hospitals introduced a care package that raised awareness of reduced movements and standardised how staff responded.
| Result | Before the package | After the package |
|---|---|---|
| Stillbirth rate | 4.40 per 1,000 births | 4.06 per 1,000 births |
| Statistical result | aOR 0.90, 95% CI 0.75 to 1.07; not significant |
The authors concluded the package did not reduce the risk of stillbirth, and that the benefit of promoting awareness "remains unproven". The trial also found more inductions and caesarean births after the package, so acting on movement concerns isn't without trade-offs.
Note that AFFIRM tested awareness plus a hospital care package, not daily count-to-10 counting.
The Cochrane review (2015)
A Cochrane review of fetal movement counting found the trials did not provide enough evidence to influence practice. In particular, no trial compared counting with no counting. The reviewers said better research was urgently needed.
What this means
- There's no strong evidence that formal counting alone saves lives.
- There's also no evidence that it's harmful in general, though some people find it stressful.
- Not finding a clear benefit in a trial isn't the same as proving there's none. It may mean the effect is small or that studies weren't designed to show it.
Why UK and US advice differ
| UK (NHS, RCOG, Tommy's) | US (Count the Kicks, many providers) | |
|---|---|---|
| Daily counting | Not required; NHS says you don't need to count | Often recommended from the third trimester |
| Set number | No set number | Commonly time to 10 movements |
| Main message | Know your baby's pattern; call immediately about any change | Count daily at the same time and compare with your usual |
| ACOG position | — | Kick counts are done as instructed by your provider |
Both approaches share the same goal: helping you notice a change early. Count the Kicks suggests counting daily from the start of the third trimester, at a time when your baby is usually active, and going to the hospital if you notice a change. The NHS focuses on awareness instead of a number.
What everyone agrees on
- Get to know your baby's movements. From about 16 to 24 weeks you'll start to feel them; Tommy's says they increase until around 32 weeks and then stay roughly the same.
- A change is what matters. Slower, weaker, fewer or a different pattern.
- Act immediately. Call your midwife or maternity unit straight away, even at night. Don't wait until tomorrow.
- Don't try to make your baby move first, and don't rely on a home doppler.
- Babies don't move less near the end of pregnancy. Reduced movements in late pregnancy still need checking.
So should you count kicks?
If your provider has asked you to, yes: follow their method. If not, you can still use counting as a tool to learn your baby's pattern, and many people find it reassuring. If counting makes you anxious, tell your midwife and focus on general awareness instead. Either way, the rule is the same: if you're worried, call.
Want the practical side? Read how to get baby to move for kick counts and how to track fetal movement.
How Momi helps
Momi's kick counter is designed for awareness: tap once per movement, aim for 10, and every session is saved so you can compare with your baby's usual time. It doesn't diagnose anything and isn't a substitute for a check. If movements change, call your maternity unit first.
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Related: third trimester · kick counts with an anterior placenta · 32 weeks pregnant
Sources
- Norman JE et al., AFFIRM: a stepped wedge, cluster-randomised trial, The Lancet, 2018
- Mangesi L et al., Fetal movement counting for assessment of fetal wellbeing, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2015
- RCOG, Reduced Fetal Movements (Green-top Guideline No. 57)
- NHS, Your baby's movements
- ACOG, Special Tests for Monitoring Fetal Well-Being
- Count the Kicks, How to count kicks
- Tommy's, Baby's movements in pregnancy
Medical disclaimer: Momi and this website provide general information, not medical advice. Always talk to your doctor or midwife; in an emergency call your local emergency number.
FAQ
Are kick counts necessary?
Not everyone is told to count. The NHS says you don't need to count kicks and there's no set number, but you should know your baby's pattern and call straight away if it changes. In the US, many providers and Count the Kicks recommend a daily count from the third trimester. Follow your own provider's advice.
Do kick counts prevent stillbirth?
Research hasn't proven that formal counting on its own prevents stillbirth. The large AFFIRM trial found a small, non-significant difference. But reduced movements can be a warning sign, and experts agree that noticing a change and getting checked quickly is important.
Why do some doctors recommend kick counts?
A daily count gives you a simple, regular way to learn your baby's normal pattern, which makes a change easier to notice. Some providers also use kick counts in higher-risk pregnancies. ACOG says kick counts are done as instructed by your provider.
Can kick counts cause anxiety?
For some people, yes. If counting makes you anxious, tell your midwife or doctor. You can focus on being aware of your baby's pattern rather than a number. Never let worry about 'bothering' staff stop you calling if movements change.
What should I do if movements are reduced?
Call your midwife or maternity unit immediately, even at night. Don't wait until the next day, don't try to make your baby move first and don't rely on a home doppler. You'll usually have your baby's heartbeat checked and may be monitored.
Related guides
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