As expectant mothers approach their due date, they often hear the advice to monitor their baby’s kicks. However, in the hustle of daily life, it can be easy to forget. Whether it’s juggling work, battling “pregnancy brain,” or managing other children, tracking those precious movements can slip your mind. Thankfully, technology has come to the rescue with a remarkable app called “Count the Kicks,” which has become a vital tool for many pregnant women—one of whom believes it saved her baby’s life.
Sarah Thompson, a mother from Iowa, recently experienced a frightening moment that no parent should ever have to face. “I can’t even imagine what could have happened,” she recalled in an interview with local news outlet WHOTV.
At 33 weeks pregnant, Sarah noticed a significant decrease in her baby girl’s movements. “We started to feel uneasy about the situation,” she said. Fortunately, she had been utilizing the Count the Kicks app to track her baby’s daily activity. The app’s historical data indicated a concerning drop in movement, which is often a warning sign of fetal distress. Recognizing the potential danger, Sarah and her husband rushed to the hospital. “We’re incredibly grateful we acted when we did,” Sarah expressed.
Upon arrival, doctors discovered that the umbilical cord was wrapped tightly around the baby’s neck three times—a situation that can quickly become life-threatening. Medical staff performed an emergency C-section, successfully delivering Sarah’s daughter, Mia. Though Mia spent 20 days in the NICU to gain strength, she is now home and thriving. “I truly believe we were guided to seek help in time, and having the right tools made all the difference,” Sarah shared.
The Count the Kicks initiative was founded by five Iowa women who experienced stillbirths. They encourage expectant mothers in their third trimester to keep track of how long it takes to feel ten kicks. “When we’re unwell, we tend to move less. Babies do the same,” said Emily Parker, the organization’s executive director. “Kick counting can serve as a crucial early warning sign that something may be wrong.”
I personally tried the app and found its user-friendly interface quite helpful. Besides facilitating kick counting, it records your baby’s movement history, ensuring you can spot any changes in patterns. Plus, it allows for text or calendar reminders to help you stay on track. And the best part? It’s completely free!
But can counting kicks really reduce stillbirth rates? Some evidence suggests it might. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about 24,000 babies are stillborn in the U.S. each year, representing nearly one percent of all pregnancies. The Count the Kicks program has gained popularity in Iowa, and there’s been a notable 26 percent decline in stillbirth rates in the state over the past five years. “If we could replicate this success nationwide, we could save over 6,000 babies every year,” Emily noted.
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In summary, the “Count the Kicks” app not only helps expectant mothers monitor their babies’ health but can also be a lifesaving tool in critical situations.