What should I do if the fetus frequently hiccups?

Fetal hiccups are common and generally normal. Gentle maternal abdominal massage and maintaining adequate warmth in the abdominal area may help alleviate them. Fetal hiccups are primarily caused by immature diaphragmatic development rather than digestive issues—unlike in newborns or older infants, fetal “digestion” is not involved. As hiccups represent a normal physiological phenomenon, expectant mothers should simply monitor their baby’s activity patterns routinely.