Fetal Hiccups During Pregnancy: What Do They Mean for the Expectant Mother?
Recently, I have felt the baby hiccuping in my belly. May I ask, what does it mean when a baby hiccups during pregnancy?
Doctor's answer (1)
Fetal hiccups in the womb during pregnancy are a normal sign of healthy fetal development and typically begin to occur between weeks 16 and 20 of pregnancy. When a pregnant woman feels a rhythmic, subtle pulsing sensation in her abdomen, it may indicate that the baby is hiccuping. This happens because the diaphragm—the muscle separating the chest cavity from the abdominal cavity—occasionally spasms during development, causing a phenomenon similar to hiccups in adults.
During fetal hiccups, expectant mothers may feel periodic trembling or slight vibrations in their abdomen. This sensation usually lasts for several minutes and is sometimes described as feeling similar to a heartbeat or muscle twitching. These movements differ from regular fetal movements, being more rhythmic and occurring every few seconds, often stopping on their own within a few minutes.
When a pregnant woman experiences this characteristic abdominal tremor, it can be considered a sign of fetal hiccups, and there is generally no need for excessive concern. At the same time, the mother can gently stroke her abdomen to comfort the fetus or try changing positions to help alleviate the fetal hiccups.
