Freaky Friday and Baby Hiccups! Why They Happen is Pretty Freaky!
It’s FRIIIIDAY and you know what that means! Our Freaky Friday fun fact of the week time!
Wait… Babies Get Hiccups in the Womb?!
You know that little rhythmic bump… bump… bump… bump you sometimes feel coming from the same spot in your belly? Baby may not be throwing a dance party in there after all….even though, with some of these guys, I would NOT put that past them either :)
But…..they probably just have the hiccups!
Why Do Babies Get Hiccups in the Womb? Here’s where it gets really cool!
Your baby isn’t breathing air yet, but they DO make practice breathing movements while developing in the womb.
The diaphragm is the muscle underneath the lungs that will eventually help baby breathe after birth. As baby’s nervous system, diaphragm, and respiratory muscles develop, the diaphragm can sometimes contract involuntarily.
And voilà…
HIC. HIC. HIC.
You’ve got fetal hiccups!
What Do Fetal Hiccups Feel Like?
If you’ve never experienced them before, you might wonder whether you’re feeling hiccups or regular baby movements.
Regular kicks tend to be more random:
Kick. Roll. Stretch. Punch Mom directly in the bladder.
Hiccups are usually much more rhythmic.
Think:
boop… boop… boop… boop…
They may happen every few seconds and continue for several minutes.
Once you recognize them, you’ll probably know exactly what baby is doing the next time your belly starts bouncing!
And Yes… Baby Is Surrounded by Fluid While Doing This!
Here’s your bonus Freaky Friday fact
Your baby swallows amniotic fluid and also makes breathing-like movements involving amniotic fluid while developing.
So while you’re going about your day, your tiny human is busy swallowing, stretching, kicking, practicing breathing movements…and occasionally getting a case of the hiccups.
Can You See Baby Hiccups on Ultrasound?
Sometimes—YES!
If baby happens to get the hiccups during an ultrasound, you may actually see those adorable little rhythmic movements happening on the screen.
And that’s one of the things we love most about ultrasound at Seaside Imaging of Florida.
Sometimes we get to catch those completely unexpected moments—baby yawning, stretching, sucking a thumb, playing with tiny toes, making faces…and occasionally hiccuping through the whole show!
Are Baby Hiccups Normal During Pregnancy?
In general, fetal hiccups are a normal occurrence during pregnancy and are related to the developing diaphragm and nervous system.
As always, if you notice a significant change in your baby’s usual movements or something just doesn’t feel right, contact your OB/GYN, midwife, or maternal-fetal medicine provider. An elective ultrasound should never replace medical evaluation when you have a concern about your pregnancy.
The human body is pretty incredible—and pregnancy gives us some of the coolest examples!
Happy Freaky Friday from Seaside Imaging of Florida!
Until next week, stay curious!
Elective 3D, 4D & HD Ultrasound Studio Serving Yulee, Fernandina Beach, Amelia Island, Nassau County, and surrounding Northeast Florida communities. 3D ultrasound Yulee FL, 4D ultrasound Fernandina Beach, HD ultrasound near me, elective ultrasound Nassau County, baby ultrasound package Florida, pregnancy ultrasound experience, heartbeat snuggle buddy, 3D baby ultrasound, 3D 4D baby ultrasound Yulee Fl, 3D 4D baby ultrasound Fernandina beach Fl, 3D 4D baby ultrasound Callahan Fl, 3D 4D baby ultrasound Hilliard Fl, 3D 4D baby ultrasound Bryceville Fl, 3D 4D baby ultrasound St. Mary’s Ga, 3D 4D baby ultrasound Maccleny FL, 3D 4D baby ultrasound Kingsland Ga, 3D 4D baby ultrasound Brunswick Ga, 3D 4D baby ultrasound Amelia Island Fl, 3D 4D baby ultrasound Jacksonville Fl, 3D 4D baby ultrasound North Jacksonville Fl.
