Understanding Fetal Hiccups: Causes, Frequency & When to Worry

Question
Hi, I am wondering why babies hiccup while they are in utero. My baby gets them several times a day, every day and I wonder if it is OK to have them that much. Sometimes they last 20 minutes. Does the baby feel distress from them? I don't remember them with my first pregnancy.

Answer
Dear Lauren,

Yes - it is perfectly normal for babies to have hiccups while in utero. There is not an abundance of research in the area, but it is thought that it is a response to fetal drinking or fetal breathing which causes the flow of amniotic fluid in and out of the lungs, stimulating the diaphragm to contract and causing hiccups in the fetus - just like we have them once we're born. Only the more mature fetuses do this because of the development of the central nervous system.

Many women have noted feeling their baby hiccup many times through the day. I would not be concerned about this. This actually shows that things are functioning normally.

I hope this has helped you and answered your question. I wish you well.

Brenda