Are Baby Hiccups in the Womb Normal?
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Baby hiccups in the womb
Baby hiccups in pregnancy is very common and a question and is often asked by expectant mothers however as with most things during pregnancy there are things to be aware of to ensure that the baby hiccups in the womb aren’t a sign of a bigger problem.
Hiccup in the Womb
Fetal movements can be felt from as early at 13 weeks.Hiccups are very similar to kicks however they are more rhythmic and jerky like more of a muscle spasm. A good way to tell the difference between kicking and hiccups is to move around, if you change position your baby may move to a more comfortable position and they may stop kicking or kick in a different way. If it is hiccups the movement won’t change the rhythm of the hiccups and they will continue.
Every Pregnancy is Different
Some expectant mothers feel hiccups during pregnancy several times a day and some mothers don’t at all.
When do babies get hiccups in pregnancy
Hiccups tend to start around month 6 and it is a totally normal reflex and it is very rare that they are cause for concern however in later pregnancy it can be a sign that something is wrong. Later on in pregnancy hiccups can be sign that there could be a cord issue restricting blood and oxygen to your baby. Cord complications and issues can include;
Stillbirth
CO2 build up
Changes to baby’s blood pressure
Brain damage
Changes to heart rate
If you experience your baby is getting hiccups 4 or more times a day, or your babies normal hiccups have changed for example they feel different it is worth getting checked out just to make sure that everything is ok with your health care provider.
It isn’t just the baby that hiccups
It is not only your little one that will be hiccupping. It is very common for expectant mothers to also develop more hiccups during pregnancy. During pregnancy your lungs inhale more than usual (30 – 40% more to be exact) The change in this means that you are more likely to suffer with hiccups during pregnancy.
Will my baby hiccup after birth?
Your babies’ hiccups do not stop after birth, for some babies they get hiccups a lot in their first few months of life. Hiccups will not bother your baby however you may find it uncomfortable to watch the first few times but you soon get used to it. It helps if you burp your baby during and after each feed.
Here are what other MyBump2Baby parents are saying about fetal hiccups
Amy said “my experience of baby hiccups in the uterus was a nightmare, I suffered from the third trimester so to wasn’t all the way through pregnancy thank goodness. I was worried at first because they were so frequent so I thought it was best I went to my GP to get checked, I had another scan and they put my mind at rest. Hiccups during pregnancy can be a bot of a nightmare especially if they occur at night but it is also nice to feel your baby often. I would advice any one with regular fetal hiccups to get everything checked, sometimes it can be a sign of something else so definately best to get it checked”
Sarah said “I did get concerned at how much my little one was hicccuping in the uterus but after getting health information from a friend I decided to go to my midwife and mention it, she didn’t seem concerned but I got another scan in the third trimester, the hiccups continued right the way to my due date and after my baby was born. I did find the hiccups quite soothing as I liked feeling my baby moving round. The doctor said hiccups during pregnancy is quote common.”
Jason “Our baby hiccups in the womb all the time, when we looked in to it it looked like it can be quite common but we decided to get it checked out as it can mean a problem with the umbilical cord. When they checked the umbilical cord, it was fine but it did feel like a relief after as we were very worried. Sometimes you may notice the mum hiccups during pregnancy too, my wife is forever hiccuping at night, so much so I have had to sleep in the spare room.”
Carla is the founder of MyBump2Baby. Carla has a huge passion for linking together small businesses and growing families. Carla’s humorous, non-filtered honesty has won the hearts of thousands of parents throughout the UK.
She has previously written for the Metro and made appearances on BBC News, BBC 5 live, LBC etc. Carla is a finalist for Blogger of the Year award with Simply Ladies inc. Carla is also the host of the popular Fifty Shades of Motherhood podcast and The MyBump2Baby Expert podcast.