Pregnancy is a magical time, especially when you start feeling the baby’s movements. Usually, this begins around the 18th to 20th week of pregnancy and with the movements, moms experience some very distinct sensations, like little jumps out of nowhere!
It’s common to wonder : what could that be? Well, those tiny jumps are your little baby’s HICCUPS! But is it normal to feel your baby hiccuping in the womb during pregnancy? Why does it happen? Is there a way to stop the hiccups? Can you prevent them? Let’s uncover the answers…
Is it normal for a baby to hiccup?
Yes, it’s normal for your baby to hiccup in the womb and, in fact, it’s a very healthy sign1. During pregnancy, every organ develops in stages, and hiccups begin when the stomach and diaphragm start functioning.
Hiccups are basically involuntary movements of the diaphragm, a muscle connected to the lungs and linked to the baby’s breathing. This area is what we see move up and down as we inhale and exhale air from the lungs. A hiccup results from the contraction of this muscle.
Should I be concerned?
These spasms are completely expected and healthy. It’s as if the body is training itself for when the baby is born and needs to breathe on its own. Hiccups also indicate the stomach is at work. In other words, when the baby swallows amniotic fluid from the sac2, at some point hiccups will happen due to the immaturity of the developing organ.
Video of a Baby Hiccuping
How to Identify Baby Hiccups While Still Pregnant
You can notice hiccups by their rhythmic movements. They feel like little jumps in your belly and may be noticed early in the pregnancy.
When lying down it’s even easier to notice, and depending on the stage of pregnancy, the baby’s hiccups can even become uncomfortable, especially at bedtime. Imagine waking up to a tiny earthquake from the inside out!
Can I stop my baby’s hiccups?
Unfortunately, you can’t stop them while the baby is in the womb. Moms need to wait for them to pass on their own. In the meantime, it’s nice to have something warm, like warm milk or tea … But avoid coffee, as it can increase the baby’s movements and keep you up for the rest of the night. Also, there’s no way to prevent hiccups from happening, but remember they are not harmful in any way, neither to the mom nor to the baby.
How often do hiccups happen?
Is there a time when they happen more often? Yes, right after the mom eats and also when the baby is moving a lot or the mom is emotionally agitated.
Your baby may have several hiccup episodes a day, or sometimes go a long while without any. Hiccuping, in fact, can be a surprise for moms. Your baby hiccups during pregnancy and might hiccup even more after birth… But that’s another story and you can check it out here.