Posted on October 16, 2025
Your due date has officially come and gone. The bags are packed, the nursery is ready, and you're in a perpetual state of "is this it?!" As you play the waiting game, you might wonder if you can finally cross "count kicks" off your daily to-do list. The short, simple, and emphatic answer is: **Nope! Keep counting!**
Think of your due date as an estimate, not an expiration date. As your pregnancy continues past 40 weeks, some risks can begin to increase. The placenta, your baby's amazing life-support system, can sometimes start to work a little less efficiently. That's why continuing to monitor your baby's movements is one of the most important things you can do to keep an eye on their well-being while you wait.
You might hear people say that babies slow down before labor starts. This is a dangerous myth. Your baby should continue to move with the same general frequency right up until the moment labor begins. A significant change from their normal pattern is just as important to report at 41 weeks as it was at 38 weeks. Don't ignore it!
When you go past your due date, your doctor or midwife will likely start seeing you more often for tests like non-stress tests (NSTs). Think of your daily kick counting as your contribution to that monitoring. You are the only one who is with your baby 24/7. You are the world's expert on their normal. The data you collect at home provides a crucial bridge of information between those formal appointments.
Keep using your Fetal Movement Counter app exactly as you have been. The power of your data lies in its consistency. If you do have a concern, you'll be able to show your provider a clear, historical record, which helps them make the best and most informed decisions for both you and your baby.
We know these last few days (or weeks!) can be tough, both physically and emotionally. Continuing to count kicks is a powerful way to stay connected to your baby, get a little peace of mind, and remain an active, empowered member of your own healthcare team, right up to the finish line.
Just a friendly reminder: This article is for informational purposes only and isn't a substitute for professional medical advice. Always follow your healthcare provider's guidance, especially when it comes to a post-term pregnancy.
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