How to Track Fetal Movement: Methods, Patterns and When to Call
Reviewed by Safi Allah Khan
Medically reviewed by: Safi Allah Khan · Written by the Momi team · Last updated 20 October 2026
Quick answer: How to track fetal movement: from the time you first feel your baby (16 to 24 weeks), learn when they're usually active and how their movements feel. From about 28 weeks, either count daily (time to 10 movements) or simply stay aware of the pattern. If movements slow down, weaken or change, call your maternity unit immediately.
There are two main approaches, and both aim at the same thing: noticing a change early. You can count with the kick counter, and for the debate over whether counting helps, read do kick counts really matter?.
Fetal movement by week
| Weeks | What you may feel | Tracking tips |
|---|---|---|
| 16–20 | Flutters, bubbles, a "fish swimming" feeling (earlier in second pregnancies) | Just notice; it's often hard to be sure |
| 20–24 | Clearer taps and kicks; partners may feel them from outside | Note when movements first become regular |
| 24 | Most people have felt movement | Tell your midwife if you haven't felt any yet |
| 24–28 | Stronger kicks, punches, rolls; a daily pattern emerges | Learn your baby's active times |
| 28–32 | Movements increase and get stronger (Tommy's) | Start daily counting if your provider recommends it |
| 32–40 | Movements stay roughly the same; more rolls and pushes as space gets tight | Keep tracking; babies don't move less near term |
| Labor | You should still feel movements | Tell your midwife if you don't |
Timings come from the NHS and Tommy's. An anterior placenta can make early movements harder to feel.
Method 1: awareness of your baby's pattern (NHS)
The NHS says there's no set number of movements and you don't need to count each day. Instead:
- notice when your baby tends to be active (morning, after meals, evening, at bedtime)
- notice how strong the movements usually are
- notice the kinds of movement (kicks, rolls, hiccups)
- act on any change straight away
This works well if you're in tune with your body and don't want a daily routine.
Method 2: count-to-10 (Count the Kicks and many US providers)
Count the Kicks suggests counting every day from the start of the third trimester:
- Time it: start a timer at a time your baby is usually active, ideally the same time each day.
- Count: count each movement until you reach 10.
- Record: note how long it took.
- Compare: look at today's time against your past sessions.
- Act: go to the hospital if you notice a change in your baby's pattern.
Many US providers add a rule, such as calling if you don't feel 10 movements in 2 hours. ACOG says kick counts are done as instructed by your provider, so ask yours.
What counts as a movement
| Counts | Usually doesn't count |
|---|---|
| Kicks and jabs | Hiccups (small, regular twitches) |
| Rolls and swishes | Your own pulse or tummy rumbles |
| Punches and stretches | Braxton Hicks tightenings |
| Turning over |
If you're unsure, include it. The aim is to see your pattern, not to be perfectly precise.
How to keep a movement log
Whichever method you use, a simple log helps you and your midwife see patterns:
- Date and start time of each session
- How long to 10 (or how many in a set time)
- Where you felt them and how strong they felt
- Anything different today, such as a busy day or illness
Momi saves each kick count session automatically. You can also jot notes in the diary. Bring your log to appointments if it's useful, but never wait for an appointment if you're worried.
When to call
Call your midwife or maternity unit immediately if:
- your baby is moving less than usual
- you can't feel your baby moving
- the usual pattern changes
- it takes much longer than usual to feel 10 movements, or you don't reach your provider's number
The NHS says not to wait until the next day, even if it's the middle of the night. Wirral NHS guidance says you should not try to make your baby move, and not to use home dopplers or phone apps to check the heartbeat. See how to get baby to move for kick counts for why.
Tips that make tracking easier
- Lie on your side with your bump supported, or sit comfortably with feet up.
- Stay still and focus: movements are easy to miss when you're busy.
- Use the same time each day so sessions are comparable.
- Involve your partner: they can often feel kicks from about 20 to 24 weeks.
- Don't compare with other pregnancies. Each baby has their own pattern.
How Momi helps
Momi's kick counter makes tracking simple: tap once per movement, aim for 10, and every session is saved so you can see how long your baby usually takes. Alongside it you'll find your week, baby size, a contraction timer for later, and a diary for notes. Momi helps you notice changes; it never replaces a check.
Download Momi free on the App Store or Google Play. Free with ads; optional Premium.
Related: kick counts: how and when · third trimester · 24 weeks pregnant
Sources
- NHS, Your baby's movements
- Tommy's, Baby's movements in pregnancy
- Count the Kicks, How to count kicks
- ACOG, Special Tests for Monitoring Fetal Well-Being
- Wirral University Teaching Hospital NHS, Your baby's movements
- Tommy's, Anterior placenta
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
When should I start tracking fetal movement?
Start getting to know your baby's movements as soon as you feel them, usually between 16 and 24 weeks. Count the Kicks suggests daily counting from the start of the third trimester at 28 weeks. Follow your provider's advice on whether to count.
What counts as fetal movement?
Any kick, flutter, swish, roll, jab or stretch. Hiccups feel like small, rhythmic twitches and usually aren't counted. If you can't tell whether something was a movement, focus on the overall pattern rather than each one.
How many movements should I feel a day?
There's no set number. The NHS says every baby is different and you don't need to count kicks each day. What matters is knowing what's normal for your baby. If your provider uses a count, such as 10 movements within 2 hours, follow their rule.
Do babies move less at the end of pregnancy?
No. Tommy's says movements should increase until about 32 weeks and then stay roughly the same until you give birth, including during labor. The type of movement may change as space gets tight, but you should still feel your baby as often.
Can an app track my baby's movements for me?
No app can feel your baby move. Apps like Momi help you record movements you feel and compare sessions, but they can't check your baby's wellbeing. Don't use apps or home dopplers to listen for a heartbeat; call your maternity unit if you're worried.
Related guides
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