An interactive timer for the ACOG "count-to-10" method — start a session, tap for every movement you feel, and get an instant, colour-coded result.
Pick a time when your baby is usually active, note your start time, and count every distinct movement — kicks, flutters, rolls or swishes — until you reach ten. Most babies reach ten movements in under 30 minutes, and ACOG's guidance treats up to 2 hours as a normal window. If you don't feel ten movements within 2 hours, try again after a snack while lying on your side, and contact your midwife or maternity unit if a clear pattern still doesn't emerge.
⚕️ Medical Notice: This is a wellness tracking tool, not a diagnostic device. It simply times how long it takes to feel ten movements — it cannot assess your baby's wellbeing on its own. If you have any concern about reduced or unusual movement, contact your midwife or doctor immediately, regardless of what this timer shows.
Tap Start Session when you're ready, then tap +1 Kick for every movement you feel. The timer stops automatically once you reach ten.
Not started
Prefer not to use the live timer? Log a completed count-to-10 session by hand instead — it will be added to the session history below alongside any timer sessions.
| # | Start Time | Movements | Duration |
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Sessions reset when you leave this page — for ongoing tracking, jot results in your pregnancy app or notes. No session data is saved to this browser or any server.
The count-to-10 method is deliberately simple, but a few habits make your sessions more consistent and more useful to look back on. Try to count around the same time each day, ideally when your baby tends to be active — many people find the evening works well, since babies often have their own activity patterns and a familiar time makes sessions easier to compare. Settling into a quiet position helps too: lying on your left side is commonly suggested, as it can make movements easier to notice than sitting upright or moving around. Having a small snack or a cold drink beforehand is also a widely used trick, since a change in blood sugar can prompt a baby to move.
When you start a session, note your start time (or just tap Start Session in the tool above) and count every distinct movement as one — a kick, a flutter, a roll, or a swish all count individually, as long as you can tell one from the next. Continuous wriggling that doesn't clearly separate into distinct movements is generally treated as a single movement rather than several. Keep counting until you reach ten, then note how long it took. That duration is what tells you whether the session falls within a typical range.
Your baby's movements are one of the more direct signals you have of their wellbeing in the womb, which is why care providers pay attention to changes in pattern rather than a fixed target number. Every baby has their own rhythm — some are almost constantly active, others are quieter and have more defined bursts of movement — and getting to know your own baby's usual pattern is more useful than comparing to anyone else's. The count-to-10 method gives that pattern a simple, repeatable measure: how long it typically takes to feel ten movements. Once you know your own baseline, a session that runs noticeably longer than usual becomes a clear, practical prompt to check in with your care team.
When should I start counting my baby's kicks?
Most guidance suggests waiting until around 28 weeks of pregnancy before starting a formal kick-count routine, since this is roughly when movement patterns settle into something more predictable. Earlier than this, movements can be too light, sporadic, or infrequent to count reliably. Your midwife or doctor may suggest an earlier or later starting point depending on your individual pregnancy, so always follow their personal advice over any general rule.
What actually counts as a "kick" for this method?
Every distinct movement counts — not just a firm kick. Flutters, rolls, swishes, jabs, and stretches are all valid, so long as you can tell one movement apart from the next. Continuous wriggling that doesn't clearly separate into distinct movements is usually counted as one movement rather than several. The goal is simply to notice and tally ten separate episodes of movement, in whatever form they take.
How does the count-to-10 method actually work?
You choose a time of day, note your start time, and then count every movement you feel until you reach ten. Most people find they reach ten movements comfortably within half an hour, but ACOG's guidance treats up to two hours as within the normal target window. This tool automates the process — tap Start Session, tap +1 Kick for each movement you feel, and it stops the clock and shows you the result automatically once you reach ten.
What should I do if I don't feel 10 movements within 2 hours?
If two hours pass without reaching ten movements, try having a snack or a cold drink, lie down on your left side in a quiet spot, and attempt the count again a little later. If you still can't identify a clear pattern of ten movements after trying again, contact your midwife or maternity unit promptly. This isn't something to sit on until your next appointment — it's a genuine reason to call, day or night.
Does reduced movement always mean something is wrong?
No. Movement naturally varies with the time of day, your activity level, your baby's sleep-wake cycles, and even the position of the placenta. A quieter-than-usual session doesn't automatically mean there's a problem. That said, any noticeable change in your baby's usual pattern is always worth checking with your healthcare provider — it's far better to call and be reassured than to wait and wonder.
Can my position or what I've eaten affect how much I feel my baby move?
Yes. Babies are often felt to move more after their mother eats or drinks something, particularly something cold or sugary, and many people notice more movement while lying down — especially on their left side — than while sitting upright or walking around. Because of this, it can help to count kicks at a similar time each day, ideally after a small snack, while resting on your side in a quiet spot.
Is there a "normal" number of kicks a baby should make per day?
There isn't a single universal target number, because movement levels vary considerably between babies and even between days for the same baby. What matters more than an exact count is your baby's own usual pattern — getting to know what's typical for your baby lets you notice if something changes. That's why the count-to-10 method focuses on timing rather than a fixed daily total.
How long should a normal kick-count session take?
Most babies reach ten movements in well under thirty minutes. ACOG's guidance treats up to two hours as the outer edge of a normal timeframe, so anywhere within that window is generally considered reassuring. Sessions that regularly run close to or beyond two hours, or that don't reach ten movements at all, are the ones worth discussing with your midwife or doctor.
Should I count my baby's kicks every day?
Many care providers suggest a daily kick count from around 28 weeks onward, particularly if you've been asked to monitor movement more closely, though routines vary and some providers only recommend counting if you notice a change. Counting at roughly the same time each day makes it easier to compare sessions fairly, since babies tend to have their own active and quiet periods. Follow whatever routine your own midwife or doctor recommends for your pregnancy.
Why doesn't this tool save my sessions after I leave the page?
This tool keeps your session history only in your browser's memory for the current visit, and doesn't use any persistent storage, so the log clears automatically when you close or reload the page. It's designed as a quick, in-the-moment counting aid rather than a long-term record. For ongoing tracking across days, it's best to jot your results down in a pregnancy app, diary, or the notes section of your maternity record.