{"id":530895,"date":"2022-05-19T15:17:47","date_gmt":"2022-05-19T20:17:47","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/countthekicks.org\/?p=530895"},"modified":"2022-05-19T15:46:35","modified_gmt":"2022-05-19T20:46:35","slug":"5-tips-counting-kicks-for-twins","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/countthekicks.org\/2022\/05\/5-tips-counting-kicks-for-twins\/","title":{"rendered":"Counting Kicks for Twins: 5 Tips for Expectant Twin Parents"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

We know that discovering you\u2019re pregnant with twins is an out-of-this-world experience. It\u2019s an incredible gift and a tremendous physical, mental, and emotional challenge to carry two babies into the world. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

While you might be feeling double the excitement and double the love, you\u2019re likely also experiencing double the worry. Twin pregnancies come with significant added risk compared to singleton pregnancies, so it\u2019s critical for you to have information and tools that can help ensure the best outcome possible for your two peas in a pod.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One of the easiest and most effective ways to tune into the well-being of your twins during pregnancy is to monitor their movements, or count kicks. Count the Kicks<\/em> has a free kick counting app<\/a> that allows expectant parents to track movement for single babies or twins. When you have a daily kick counting session, the app will help you track how long it takes each baby to reach 10 movements (kicks, punches, jabs, and rolls).\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5 Tips for Expectant Twin Parents<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

To help you feel confident in your approach to counting kicks, we sat down with respected neonatologist and Count the Kicks<\/em> Medical Advisory Board member, Dr. Ann Anderson Berry<\/a>, to find out what twin parents need to know. Dr. Anderson Berry cares for babies that need extra help after delivery, and her training and expertise focuses on the intersection of pregnancy and the newborn period.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt\u2019s a critical part of a healthy pregnancy to be able to understand what your baby is capable of doing on a day to day basis in utero, noticing when that changes, and alerting your healthcare provider for a higher level of evaluation,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Through Dr. Anderson Berry\u2019s insight, and the experience of twin mom Sandra Marcela R. Monroy, MD, we bring you five essential things to know about counting kicks for twins:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1- Celebrate the gift, while preparing to manage the risks.<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Twin births makeup just 3.1% of births in the U.S. \u2014 so congratulations! You\u2019ve been given a rare, incredible gift! While a twin pregnancy can be an amazing experience, it comes with added risk. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

That\u2019s why Dr. Anderson Berry, who serves as Medical Director for the Nebraska Perinatal Quality Improvement Collaborative (NPQIC)<\/a>, is such an advocate for counting kicks. She expressed, \u201cNPQIC is a proud supporter of Count the Kicks<\/em>, and we really believe we can make an impact in families\u2019 lives if we do some education about what fetal movement is like in the third trimester.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dr. Anderson Berry went on to explain that some twin pregnancy risks are common, while others are more difficult to identify, and that\u2019s why it\u2019s so important to know what\u2019s normal for each baby\u2019s movement patterns \u2014 to help parents and medical providers pick up on the early signs of potential fetal distress.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2- Commit to daily kick counting sessions starting at 26 weeks.<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

While twins do have a higher chance of early delivery, the guidelines for when to start counting kicks in singleton and twin pregnancies are a little different. You should start daily kick counting sessions at 26 weeks, just before the start of the third trimester for a twin pregnancy. There\u2019s nothing wrong with starting earlier, especially if it helps you practice, get into a routine, and bond with your babies. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Marcela, a mom of twin girls, started her daily sessions at 26 weeks. \u201cCounting kicks made me know my babies more,\u201d she shared. \u201cThings like when they were active, and which foods made them move more. Having twins was a surprise for us, so getting to know them gave us peace.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3- Drop the comparisons! Every baby is unique – including movement patterns in utero.<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Speaking of getting to know your babies \u2026 every baby, regardless of whether they\u2019re your solo tenant or rooming up with a twin sibling, has a unique personality and tendencies for movement. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

With a knowing smile, Dr. Anderson Berry explained, \u201cAnother trap we fall into as moms is to always be comparing our kids to each other. And what more direct comparison can you get than having two babies in utero? You\u2019re literally timing them!\u201d She reiterated that the only baby you should be comparing one twin to is themselves \u2014 not their roommate in utero!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You might be worried about how you\u2019ll differentiate movements between one twin and the other. Both Dr. Anderson Berry and Marcela implied that while it can be a bit tricky, it\u2019s also quite an intuitive experience if you work toward tuning into your body. As twins grow into the third trimester, their positions will become clearer, and while they will continue to move, they may not drastically change position as often as a single baby would. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI would always monitor their movements and their position. Based on that, I was able to know who was who. My advice is to take it easy and trust yourself. Trust the process and try every day. It gets easier,\u201d Marcela said. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

She even came to know that her Baby A was more active after breakfast, while her Baby B was more active after dinner. We\u2019ll check back in 10 years to see if one is an early bird and the other is a night owl \u2014 our bets are on yes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While Dr. Anderson Berry hasn\u2019t been pregnant with twins herself, she has talked at length with twin moms that have successfully counted kicks. She explained that one way to avoid mixing up movements between babies is to do one complete kick counting session for one baby, then move on to the next, rather than trying to monitor both babies\u2019 movements in the same session. It will help you establish a true baseline for each baby. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

All that said, it is essential that you talk to your healthcare provider and go over any questions or concerns about counting kicks for your babies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

4- Use direct, assertive language when communicating with your healthcare provider.<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

We love this advice from Dr. Anderson Berry. Many women experience a sense of not wanting to be an alarmist or a burden. While there\u2019s no need to be disrespectful, it\u2019s important to be a strong advocate for your babies and to communicate clearly and directly, especially when you are sharing an observation of a change in your baby\u2019s movements. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you find yourself needing to communicate a concern, tap into your confidence and remember that you have your kick counting data on hand to support you! Instead of saying, \u201cI\u2019m not sure if my babies are moving as much, so I just wanted to check in<\/em>,\u201d go with something more assertive, such as: \u201cI\u2019ve noticed a change in my babies\u2019 movements, and I need to be seen for additional monitoring.<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5- Give yourself grace, and find solace in your kick counting routine.<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
Sandra Marcela R. Monroy and her husband. Credit: Michelle.Lovell.Photography<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Carrying twins is hard \u2014 and that is an understatement. Your body and mind are under tremendous pressure, and you need rest and peace throughout this process. Carving out time in your day to relax, focus on your babies, and bond with them can help you manage the stresses of twin pregnancy.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As parents, we often question ourselves and worry if we\u2019re doing the right things, whether it\u2019s during pregnancy, toddlerhood, the teenage years, and beyond. Know that counting kicks is the right thing. Take it from Marcela, a twin mom who has been in your shoes: \u201cI really felt like I was connecting with my babies, and it gave me peace of mind. I invite you to try this.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dr. Anderson Berry\u2019s closing thoughts underscored that point. \u201cFind solace in the counting and know that it\u2019s one additional way to ensure your babies are healthy, and that can help reduce your stress level.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How to Count the Kicks <\/em>for Twins<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
  1. Visit the app store to download <\/a>the free Count the Kicks<\/em> app.<\/li>
  2. When you open the app, it will ask how many babies you are counting for. You\u2019ll select two.<\/li>
  3. Enter your due date, and add your babies\u2019 names\/nicknames, then hit save.<\/li>
  4. Tap the footprint on the screen when you feel the first movement to track for either baby. The app will track the time it takes each of your babies to get to 10 kicks!\u00a0<\/li>
  5. To switch between babies, swipe left\/right or tap the baby\u2019s name at the top of the screen. The baby you are counting for will be red, and the other baby\u2019s name will be yellow. As you count, you will see the current number of kicks for each baby in the circle next to their name at the top.\u00a0<\/li>
  6. Once each baby reaches 10 kicks, the app will ask you to rate the strength of each baby\u2019s movements on a scale from 1 to 5, with 1 being \u201cfluttery\u201d and 5 being \u201cfierce.\u201d\u00a0<\/li>
  7. Add any notes you want to keep on that day\u2019s kick counting session and hit the finish session button.\u00a0<\/li>
  8. Be sure to create an account so you can save your kick counting history!<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    About the Author<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
    \"Shannon<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

    Shannon Pike is a Count the Kicks <\/em>Ambassador in the state of Texas. She lives in the Austin area with her family, and works in honor of her daughter Marie Evangeline, who was born still in 2018. Read more about Shannon here<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    We know that discovering you\u2019re pregnant with twins is an out-of-this-world experience. It\u2019s an incredible gift and a tremendous physical, mental, and emotional challenge to carry two babies into the world. While you might be feeling double the excitement and double the love, you\u2019re likely also experiencing double the worry. Twin pregnancies come with significant […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1472,"featured_media":530898,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[5,51],"tags":[21,14,146,147],"class_list":["post-530895","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-education","category-empowerment","tag-count-the-kicks","tag-how-to-count-the-kicks","tag-twin-pregnancy","tag-twins"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nCounting Kicks for Twins: 5 Tips for Expectant Twin Parents - Count the Kicks<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"You should start daily kick counting sessions at 26 weeks, just before the start of the third trimester for a twin pregnancy.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/countthekicks.org\/2022\/05\/5-tips-counting-kicks-for-twins\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Counting Kicks for Twins: 5 Tips for Expectant Twin Parents - 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