Stillbirth is a topic many expectant parents are afraid to talk about, but understanding your baby’s movement patterns can be an empowering tool during pregnancy.
In this episode of Trying with Dr. Sasha Hakman, Dr. Sasha sits down with Karina Bennett, ambassador for Count the Kicks, a stillbirth prevention program created by Healthy Birth Day, Inc. Karina shares the story of losing her son to stillbirth and how that experience led her to advocacy, education, and a mission to help other families recognize changes in fetal movement before it is too late.
Together, Sasha and Karina break down what kick counting actually looks like, when to start, what counts as movement, and why knowing your baby’s individual pattern matters more than comparing your pregnancy to someone else’s. They also discuss anterior placentas, decreased fetal movement, advocating for yourself when something feels wrong, the limitations of at-home Dopplers, and why seeking evaluation is never an overreaction.
This conversation is not about creating fear. It is about giving pregnant women information they can use to feel more connected to their baby, more confident in what is normal, and more empowered to speak up when something changes.
In this episode, we cover:
→ Karina’s personal experience with stillbirth and how losing her son led her to Count the Kicks and stillbirth prevention advocacy
→ Why talking about stillbirth does not have to be fear-based and how education can help expectant parents feel more empowered during pregnancy
→ What fetal movement can tell you about your baby’s well-being and why changes in your baby’s normal pattern deserve attention
→ When to begin tracking fetal movement in the third trimester and how recommendations may differ for higher-risk pregnancies
→ What actually counts as a “kick,” including jabs, rolls, swishes, and other movements
→ Why the goal is not simply reaching a universal number of kicks, but learning how long it typically takes your individual baby to reach 10 movements
→ How the free Count the Kicks app tracks movement patterns, timing, and movement strength over time
→ How tracking fetal movement may reduce anxiety, create reassurance, and help parents bond with their baby during pregnancy
→ What an anterior placenta can mean for your perception of fetal movement and why knowing your own baby’s pattern is still important
→ Why hearing a heartbeat with an at-home Doppler does not replace evaluation for decreased fetal movement or testing like a nonstress test
→ What to do when your baby’s movement pattern changes and why you should never worry about being a burden for asking to be evaluated
→ How to advocate for yourself if you feel dismissed by a provider, including seeking another provider or going to labor and delivery when something does not feel right
→ The ripple effect of pregnancy loss on mothers, fathers, siblings, grandparents, and entire families, and why partners need space and support to grieve too
→ Finding support after stillbirth through therapy, community, advocacy, creative outlets, and giving yourself space to process an unimaginable loss
Learn more about Karina + Count the Kicks
Count the Kicks is a free fetal movement tracking resource designed to help expectant parents learn their baby’s normal movement patterns during the third trimester.
Instagram: @countthekicksusDownload the free Count the Kicks app on iOS or Android.
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