A plain chart for timing ten movements a day, for two weeks. Print it, keep it by the bed with a pen, and bring it to appointments if you'd like to.
How to fill it in
1. Write the date and the time you start — ideally around the same time each day. 2. Count each kick, roll, swish or jab as one movement. Leave out hiccups. 3. When you feel the tenth, write down the time. 4. Work out the minutes from start to tenth, and add a note if you'd like to — how it felt, what you were doing.
Before you print
Charts suit the approach of timing ten movements, which Count the Kicks follows — it offers its own printable charts in more than 20 languages. UK guidance is different: RCOG says there isn't enough evidence to recommend the routine use of a movement chart, and the NHS says you do not need to count. Both put the emphasis on knowing your baby's usual pattern. How to count your baby's kicks sets out both.
Whichever you follow: if movements feel reduced or different, contact your midwife, doctor or maternity unit now. Never wait to finish a count or fill in a row first.
Prefer your phone?
The free web kick counter times each count for you. The Bump Kicks app keeps every count on your phone and exports your history as a PDF — date, time, duration and notes — to show or send.