Do babies hiccup in the womb?

It is normal for a fetus to hiccup in the womb. Typically, pregnant women may begin to feel fetal hiccups after reaching 28 weeks of gestation. These hiccups are usually rhythmic, occurring every 2–3 seconds, and may last for about 2–5 minutes. The sensation feels like a rhythmic pulsing or jumping, which differs from general fetal movements. Fetal hiccups mainly occur when the baby swallows amniotic fluid, stimulating the diaphragm and causing it to spasm. This hiccupping helps exercise the fetal lungs' respiratory function and provides adequate stimulation to the diaphragm, promoting its development.