What You Need To Know About Your Unborn Baby Who Has The Hiccups

In this article we will tell you everything about a baby who hiccups in the belly.

The bond between mother and her unborn child strengthens when she feels him move.

But when our baby has the hiccups, we can sometimes worry.

You may be wondering: how are these hiccups produced? Is it normal for an unborn baby to have the hiccups?

An unborn baby with hiccups, is that normal?

You don’t have to worry if your baby has the hiccups during pregnancy. It is a situation that occurs often and it is part of your little one’s development.

So yes, it’s a very normal thing. These hiccups can last between a few minutes and half an hour.

The most important thing to remember is that this is not uncomfortable for your baby. Many specialists see these hiccups as a sign that the baby is healthy.

Because our baby is still growing and developing, his diaphragm sometimes suddenly contracts. This causes the hiccups.

In other words, the hiccups are caused by a spasm. The diaphragm is a muscle that aids in breathing by contracting and relaxing. It separates the chest cavity from the abdomen.

Hiccups train the diaphragm. It is a means of preparing the diaphragm for breathing when the baby is born.

Remember that your baby’s lungs don’t fully function until birth; they breathe amniotic fluid as long as they are in the womb.

This amniotic fluid moves in and out of your baby’s lungs, causing the diaphragm to contract and preparing your baby’s lungs for life outside the womb.

When can you feel your baby’s hiccups?

You will feel your baby’s hiccups more clearly when you are in the third trimester of your pregnancy. It is not known whether these hiccups also occur earlier in pregnancy.

If your little one has the hiccups, you will feel it by rhythmic knocking in your womb. This way you will be able to feel the difference between your baby’s hiccups and the kicking.

The function of your baby’s hiccups

These spasms of your baby are part of his development. According to specialists, hiccups do the following:

• It prepares your baby to be able to breathe independently outside the womb. As mentioned before, the diaphragm aids in breathing and hiccups are caused when the diaphragm contracts.
• Hiccups are also linked to the development of your baby’s nervous system.

• It has to do with the development of motor skills. This mainly concerns actions such as swallowing and suckling. The ability to suck is important when your baby is born, as it prevents the milk from running into his lungs.
• The contractions of the diaphragm help the heartbeat to become regular.

How to avoid the hiccups

While some physical discomforts can be prevented or reduced, hiccups cannot.  In other words, you can’t help it if your baby has the hiccups.

Remember, it’s perfectly normal—healthy, in fact—and it’s not dangerous for your baby.

Many babies also have hiccups after they are born. This is because their airways are still adapting to the outside world.

Do I have to worry?

Your baby’s hiccups may feel strange or even annoying. However, under normal conditions there is no need to worry and there is no need to see a doctor.

If it lasts for several hours or days, we do recommend that you see your obstetrician or gynaecologist. This way you can be sure that everything is okay and that your baby is healthy and developing normally.

Enjoy when you feel your baby has the hiccups. Sit down, put your hands on your stomach and bond with your child.

This is also a good time for the baby’s father, older siblings or other family members to feel your little one.

Now that you know the reason behind the hiccups, you can relax and enjoy the moment.