Being pregnant with twins is seriously hard work. But something that always brought me joy mixed with wonder and awe was feeling (and seeing!) the babies’ movements. Are they wrestling? Are they copying each other? Whose legs are those? Think of the crazy perspective we get to have of wondering about their interactions and seeing so many places on our vast bellies experiencing movement – it’s quite a spectacle. Yes, it feels a little weird. And sometimes it will give me a seasick and woozy feeling. And heaven forbid one of them hits a nerve or a direct kick to the bladder. If you’ve experienced this, you can undoubtedly relate to the inevitable frozen stance pose. You know, the one where you can’t move because you’ll 100% pee your pants or maybe puke or you’re certain a baby is just going to fall out or shatter your pelvis because there’s just so much pressure down there. I’ll say to my husband as I’m deep breathing and refusing to move, “I’m okay. I’m just not okay in this moment,” aka you don’t even want to know what I’m feeling right now. Babies’ movements can be wonderful and miserable, but no matter the case, they are always important, especially as you head into your third trimester.
Kick counts are an easy way to help your OB monitor your babies’ well being as consistent periods of activity are established. Keeping track of their activity is an important, safe, non-invasive and inexpensive way to give your doctor an additional indication of the babies’ overall health. Here’s what you need to know about kick counts (and as always, double check with your doctor as different providers may have different guidelines).
- By the time you are asked to do kick counts, your babies will have established fairly consistent periods of activity. You’ll likely feel babies move closer to 18-25 weeks, but their movements are unpredictable and random. You might have a better sense of movement going into the third trimester and therefore a better sense if something could be off. Active periods may be anytime, but often occur after your meals or when you’re sitting still and able to notice more movement.
- Keep track of kick counts once daily from your third trimester until birth. “Kicks” include all movements like swishes, twists, turns, rolls, kicks, punches, and stretches.
- Determine the times your babies are most active. Then, at that given time, count their movements! Sometimes these movements will occur in the center of the tummy, making it almost impossible to determine what baby is moving. So take note as to their movements during other parts of the day as well. Also note, it’s normal to have one twin more active than the other! But be sure to discuss this with your doctor.
- If possible, lay on your left side during kick counts.
- You should track 10 movements in 2 hours for each baby. You’ll probably get 10 movements in a much shorter timeframe. If you don’t get 10 movements in 2 hours per baby, contact your doctors office, and they will give you instructions as to how to proceed.
- Many pregnant women report feeling less movement toward the end of pregnancy, and this is even more applicable for twin moms! This is likely just a case of close living quarters as babies don’t have as much room to take big kicks, punches and rolls. So take note of more subtle movements and let your doctor know if something doesn’t seem right.
