Baby hiccups

Baby hiccups can feel like small, repetitive jerks or rhythmic pulses in your bump. They can be surprisingly regular, which may make them feel different from the kicks, rolls and stretches you notice at other times.

Hiccups are one of the sensations some people notice as their baby’s movements become easier to recognise. NHS pregnancy guidance notes that you may become aware of your baby kicking, moving and hiccupping as pregnancy progresses. If you are unsure whether a sensation is hiccups or another type of movement, you do not need to identify it perfectly. What matters most is becoming familiar with your baby’s usual pattern of movements and contacting your maternity team if that pattern reduces or changes.

What do baby hiccups feel like?

Baby hiccups are often described as a series of small, rhythmic movements. Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust describes them as rhythmic jerking movements.

That regular rhythm can make hiccups feel different from other fetal movements. Kicks, rolls and stretches may change in strength, position or timing, while hiccups can feel more repetitive for a period of time.

You may notice the sensation in one area of your abdomen, although exactly where you feel movements can depend on factors such as your baby’s position and the position of your placenta.

Not everyone will clearly recognise baby hiccups, and you do not need to monitor them as a separate type of movement.

When might you notice baby hiccups?

There is no single point at which everyone begins to recognise fetal hiccups.

The NHS says people usually begin to feel their baby move between 16 and 24 weeks of pregnancy. If it is your first pregnancy, you might not notice movements until after 20 weeks. NHS week-by-week guidance also notes that, as movements become noticeable, you may eventually recognise kicks, punches, hiccups and other movements.

Early movements can be subtle and may feel like fluttering, bubbling or rolling. As pregnancy progresses and you become more familiar with the sensations, it may become easier to distinguish a rhythmic bout of hiccups from other movements.

Why do babies hiccup in the womb?

Hiccups are involuntary contractions involving the diaphragm. Babies can hiccup before birth, and those contractions can produce the repetitive movements you feel through your abdomen.

For most readers, knowing the exact mechanism is less useful than knowing how hiccups fit into the wider picture of fetal movement. A bout of rhythmic movements can be one of several sensations you notice, alongside kicks, rolls, swishes and jerks.

You do not need to try to stop your baby’s hiccups or change what you are doing because you notice them.

Are baby hiccups the same as baby kicks?

They can feel different.

A kick may feel like a single jab or a series of movements that vary in strength and timing. Hiccups are more likely to feel repetitive and rhythmic.

It is also useful to distinguish recognising hiccups from monitoring your baby’s normal movements. Older maternity guidance has sometimes treated hiccups separately from movements used to assess a baby’s usual activity pattern. Current NHS advice focuses on knowing your baby’s individual pattern of movements rather than reaching a set daily number.

There is no set number of movements that every baby should make each day. The NHS advises getting to know what is normal for your baby.

Do baby hiccups count when monitoring movements?

The safest approach is not to use hiccups as a substitute for paying attention to your baby’s usual pattern of movements.

Your maternity team may talk to you about the movements you normally recognise, such as kicks, rolls or other activity. If you notice plenty of hiccups but your baby’s usual movements have become less frequent, weaker or otherwise different, contact your midwife or maternity unit.

Do not assume that feeling hiccups means a change in the rest of your baby’s movements can be ignored.

The NHS advises contacting your maternity unit immediately if your baby is moving less than usual, you cannot feel your baby moving anymore or their usual pattern has changed.

Should you track how often your baby hiccups?

Routine tracking of fetal hiccups is not part of NHS guidance on monitoring your baby’s movements.

You also do not need to count a particular number of kicks each day. There is no universal number that is considered normal for every baby.

Instead, pay attention to your baby’s individual movement pattern as it develops. Some babies have recognisable active and quiet periods, and the type of movement can change as pregnancy progresses.

If you have been given personalised advice about monitoring your baby’s movements because of your pregnancy or medical history, follow the instructions from your maternity team.

What if baby hiccups suddenly feel different?

A change in hiccups alone can be difficult to interpret, so avoid trying to diagnose what it means from the sensation.

The more important question is whether your baby’s overall movements have changed.

If your baby is moving less than usual, movements have stopped or their normal pattern has changed, contact your maternity unit immediately. Do not wait until the next day to see whether things return to normal.

You should also avoid using a home Doppler to reassure yourself. The NHS states that hearing a heartbeat with a home Doppler does not show that your baby is necessarily well.

When to get professional advice

Contact your midwife or maternity unit immediately if your baby is moving less than usual, you cannot feel your baby moving anymore or there has been a change in your baby’s usual pattern of movements.

Do not wait until the next day, even if you notice the change during the night.

If you have not felt your baby move at all by 24 weeks, tell your midwife. NHS guidance says they can check your baby’s heartbeat and movements.

If you are concerned about a new or unusual sensation and cannot tell whether you are feeling hiccups or another type of movement, your maternity team can advise you. You do not need to diagnose the sensation yourself before asking for help.

Do not rely on a home Doppler or phone app to assess your baby’s wellbeing if movements have changed. Contact your maternity team instead. NHS 111 can provide urgent medical advice where appropriate, and 999 should be used for a life-threatening emergency.