Posted on October 15, 2025 by A Grateful Mom
I'm the type of person who loves a good plan. I live for lists, spreadsheets, and data. So, when I found out I was pregnant, I went all in. I read every book, listened to every podcast, and downloaded every app. But none of it could have prepared me for the wave of anxiety that hit me in the third trimester. Every time my baby had a quiet spell, my mind would just take off. *Is she okay? Is she just sleeping? Is this normal? Should I call the doctor?* It was exhausting.
My doctor suggested I start counting kicks. I tried doing it in my head at first, but I’d immediately forget when I started or lose count halfway through. It was a mess and honestly, it just made me more stressed. Then, I downloaded a fetal movement counter app, and I'm not exaggerating when I say it changed everything.
"It was like a switch flipped. My anxiety finally had a positive outlet. I had a real, concrete tool to help me figure out what was going on in there."
It became our little ritual. Every night after dinner, my husband and I would get comfy on the couch for what we called "kick-counting time." He'd put his hand on my belly, I'd open the app, and we'd start the session together. It was a part of the day we both genuinely started to look forward to.
The app quickly painted a clear picture of my baby's routine. She was a total night owl, and it almost always took her between 12 and 15 minutes to rack up 10 movements. Seeing that consistent data, day after day, was like a magic balm for my anxiety. The app's little bar graph was my new best friend, showing me a steady, reassuring pattern.
Then came "the Tuesday." It was her usual prime time, but things just felt... quiet. I started a session on the app. 15 minutes passed. Nothing. 30 minutes. Still nothing. 45 minutes. My heart started to do a frantic drum solo in my chest, but this time, I didn't spiral. I had a plan. I chugged a glass of ice-cold juice, laid on my left side (just like the internet told me to), and started a new session. After another 30 minutes, I had only felt a few pathetic little wiggles.
This is where the app became my superhero. Because I had weeks of data, I didn't have to guess. I *knew* this was a major change from her normal. I called my doctor's office without a second of hesitation. I didn't have to say, "Um, I think maybe she's moving less?" I could say, with confidence, "It's been 90 minutes and I've only felt three movements, and her normal is 10 movements in less than 20 minutes."
They told me to come in right away. And while everything turned out to be perfectly fine (she was, in fact, just in a very deep sleep), the nurses and my doctor couldn't praise me enough for being so vigilant. The relief that washed over me when I heard her strong, steady heartbeat on the monitor is a feeling I will never forget.
From that day on, kick counting was never a chore. It was my lifeline. It was my secret conversation with my daughter, and it was the single best tool I had for keeping my anxiety in check. It made me feel empowered and in control of my own pregnancy journey, and for that, I will be forever grateful.
Disclaimer: This is a personal story and not medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional for any health concerns.
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