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you count if you are concerned that there is a problem with the baby. Basically you do it to make sure baby's movement is "normal". But..every Dr. has a different number.

ok thanks!

I have gestational diabetes, and my doctor started me counting to make sure baby is doing okay. So as Tanna says, it's basically to make sure baby is doing okay.

My doctor said she requested all her patients to start counting kicks at 32wks. Basically twice a day (once morning and once in the evening) you sit down and relax with view of a clock (I usually did my morning session while at work filing reports.) You count how long it takes you to get to ten kicks. If you haven't gotten ten kicks in an hour, you should go drink some juice, lay down for 20 minutes on your left side, then start counting again. Usually the baby will be more active in the evening and get ten kicks in much faster than in the morning. If you try again after laying down and drinking juice and still don't have 10 kicks in an hour, call you doctor. Its probably nothing to be alarmed about, but it could indicate a problem with the cord or placenta. I usually got my 10 kicks in under 20 minutes, but the important thing is to figure out what is normal for your baby,

My doctor wants me to start at 28 weeks (I"m 26 weeks tomorrow) and I'm supposed to do them in the evening. If I don't get 10 movements in 2 hours, then go to the hospital. He's very active, so I haven't bothered to really keep track of them yet, other than when his normal active periods are.

kicks or movements?

Any type of baby movement counts as a "kick" too. Whether it is rolling movement, pokes, or kicks...it is all the same when counting...Good Luck!!