Generality
The hiccup of the fetus is a phenomenon that occurs when the unborn child is still in the womb. This particular movement is characterized by "taps" or jerks, rhythms and jerks, which can last a minute or more.
From a physiological point of view, the hiccup in the fetus indicates that the child is preparing for extra-uterine life. The intermittent tremors depend on the movement of the muscles of the thoracic cage and manifest themselves in relation to the normal process of development of the respiratory system and the nervous system. More specifically, the hiccup of the fetus is related to the maturation and improvement of the various physiological mechanisms characterized by the coordination of reflexes .
The future mother can perceive these movements at the level of the belly, starting from the sixteenth week of pregnancy. Rarely, the alteration of the frequency or intensity of the hiccup in the fetus could signal a problem with the placenta or the compression of the umbilical cord.
What is fetal hiccups?
Inside the womb, the hiccup of the fetus is a sign of development, which is manifested by a series of rhythmic movements or small clicks .
During gestation, the expectant mother may feel some start already towards the end of the first quarter or the beginning of the second quarter. However, the hiccup of the fetus is perceived more intensely about 27 weeks after conception.
This phenomenon is very common and usually resolves spontaneously within a few minutes, without affecting the health of the child. During pregnancy, fetal hiccups can occur a certain number of times a day or only once, from time to time.
Causes
The hiccups of the fetus in the uterus can be cause for concern for some pregnant women. In reality, this particular movement is entirely physiological: the reasons for which it manifests are practically the same as the hiccups of children and adults.
Technically, the sobbing of the fetus is related to development. Precisely through this mechanism, the baby in the belly begins to mature the respiratory system, nervous and digestive, coordinating and perfecting their functions.
Contraction of the diaphragm
The hiccup of the fetus is a sign that the respiratory system is developing well.
Inside the uterus, the baby actually moves the muscles of the rib cage, as if to inhale and exhale the amniotic fluid.
In practice, it is as if you were training to breathe with your lungs, although there is no air in the amniotic sac: while inhaling, the fetus inhales the liquid that falls inadvertently into the trachea and is then expelled from the mouth by hiccups. This activity starts early, around the tenth week, but you will be able to perceive better in the third month of pregnancy.
Maturation of the nervous system
The hiccup of the fetus may indicate that the central nervous system is adequately developed to allow this to happen: when the amniotic fluid enters and leaves the lungs, the diaphragm suddenly contracts, causing the jerky movement.
In other words, fetal hiccups mean that the child's neurological development is progressing: the brain and spinal cord are able to control the contractions of the diaphragm and respond correctly to stimulations with different reflexes, including hiccups and suction.
Development of reflexes
The stomach starts functioning in the 18th week of pregnancy: the fetus begins to swallow amniotic fluid, to practice life outside the maternal uterus. Also in this case the diaphragm that is contracted is stimulated causing the reflux of the swallowed fluid, from which the hiccup results.
A mature fetus may have hiccups while it is developing the reflex that will allow it to suck from the mother's breast after giving birth, without the milk entering the lungs. Therefore, when he swallows an excess of amniotic fluid, the child could sob to expel him from his mouth.
Symptoms and Complications
In the first and second trimester, the hiccup of the fetus can be similar to a flicker or a vibration, better perceptible when the woman is resting. As gestational age advances, this movement becomes more complex and signals that the child is growing. The hiccup turns into a series of rhythmic and regular strokes and jerks . From time to time, these movements may manifest themselves in a different way : lighter and intermittent, sometimes so prolonged, even up to half an hour.
Sometimes, the hiccup in the fetus occurs in conjunction with particular actions that the future mother takes, during the day (for example: after a big meal, when she lies down to rest or when she gets up).
How do you recognize it?
The hiccup of the fetus actually has all the characteristics of what occurs after birth, in children and adults. Therefore, during this event, the future mother can perceive a series of jerks or slight jerks at a rhythmic pace: just place your hand on your stomach to feel them better.
The fetus can sob a number of times a day or only once in a while. The episodes can last up to 30 minutes. On some occasions, there may also be an increase in fetal movements, as hiccups tend to make the child restless.
When can the hiccup of the fetus be perceived?
In the belly, the child is able to sob from the first trimester of pregnancy, but it is still too small to be heard. The pregnant woman can clearly feel the tremors towards the end of the second quarter, but the strongest rhythmic "strokes" are perceived in the third quarter . The hiccup of the fetus presents a rhythm very similar to that which occurs after birth. Some children can sob every day, others even more frequently.
What to expect
Hiccups in the fetus can be unpredictable, so it is not possible to assess the child's health based on this phenomenon. Your doctor may advise you to note the duration of the movements and the number of episodes, over a specific period of time.
In the third trimester, fetal hiccups may occur more frequently. The respiratory system is in the final stages of development and can be particularly "active". However, this is not the rule: hiccups could also be reduced in the weeks or days preceding the presumed date of birth.
Signals to watch out for
In the last weeks of gestation, if the hiccup in the fetus decreases, but starts again and often occurs during the same day, it is advisable to inform your doctor.
In some cases, an increase in this manifestation could indicate the presence of a placenta problem or the compression of the umbilical cord .
Umbilical cord compression
Although it is a rather rare occurrence, the hiccup of the fetus could signal a problem in the umbilical cord, especially when it occurs at late pregnancy .
Starting from the 32nd week of gestation, if this phenomenon occurs again every day, with three or more episodes lasting over 15 minutes, it is important to contact your doctor.
The gynecologist should be contacted immediately even when there is a sudden decrease in the usual frequency, since the umbilical cord could be compressed or twisted around the child's neck, interrupting the supply of air.
Diagnosis
To "monitor" the frequency, intensity or duration of fetal hiccups, the doctor could tell the pregnant woman to count the episodes that follow one another in a day. The important thing is that the child maintains more or less the same in time as his movement modes.
When you feel very strong and too prolonged fetal sobs, for safety it would be better to call the gynecologist and do an ultrasound as soon as possible.
These abnormal signals could indicate that the child is not getting enough air for a compression of the umbilical cord: this complication requires an emergency cesarean delivery.
Hiccups can be a sign of fetal hyperactivity caused by umbilical compression. This condition can lead to various complications, including brain damage and death .
When it is appropriate to contact the doctor
If you notice a sudden change in the child's hiccup (for example: if it is stronger or longer than the norm), it is advisable to contact the doctor for the appropriate checks (fetal doppler, ultrasound, etc.) and to reveal a possible problem. If all goes well, these tests can eliminate the doubts of the case and reassure the expectant mother.
Treatment and Remedies
The hiccup of the fetus is usually a normal reflex, which tends to disappear spontaneously after a few minutes.
Some advice to alleviate fetal hiccups
As a rule, fetal hiccups do not cause any discomfort to the child. However, there are some tricks or remedies to help alleviate this event.
- Walking around . When the fetus starts to sob, it can be useful to walk around the room. This could help to shift the baby's position in the womb and help relax the diaphragm.
- Drink . The hiccups in the fetus could be influenced by the reduced hydration of the future mother. In that case, you can try to alleviate the child's movements by drinking a glass of water or sipping a cup of chamomile.
- Have a snack . To try to alleviate the hiccups in the fetus, it can be useful to consume a snack (eg crackers, apples, etc.) or to have a light meal.
- Don't hold your breath . One thing that people traditionally try to get rid of hiccups is to hold their breath. During pregnancy, this habit can be dangerous for the child, so it should be avoided.
- Relieve lumbar tension . To move the child and try to make him relax, you can place yourself on your hands and knees and swing your pelvis up and down. This also helps relieve tension in the lower back.
