Yes, a baby can have hiccups in the womb, and these steady pulses are usually a normal part of healthy development.
That odd, jumpy feeling low in your bump can make you pause and wonder, can a baby have hiccups in the womb or is something wrong? Those tiny, repeated taps often feel different from kicks or rolls, and many parents feel mixed emotions the first time they show up.
What Baby Hiccups In The Womb Feel Like
Fetal hiccups are usually described as light, rhythmic jerks that repeat in the same spot. They often feel more like a soft internal twitch than a sharp kick. The pattern tends to be steady: tap, pause, tap, pause, often for several minutes in a row.
By comparison, kicks and punches feel stronger and more random. Rolls feel like a slow shift or wave across your belly. Braxton Hicks tighten the whole bump instead of making one little area jump.
| Sensation | What It Feels Like | Typical Pattern |
|---|---|---|
| Fetal Hiccups | Light, repetitive taps in one spot | Even rhythm for a few minutes |
| Strong Kicks | Sharp jabs that make your skin jump | Scattered in time and place |
| Rolls Or Turns | Slow, sweeping movement or big shift | Wave that builds, then settles |
| Swishes Or Flutters | Gentle brushing or bubbling feeling | Short bursts that come and go |
| Braxton Hicks | Whole bump tightens and feels firm | Lasts 30–60 seconds, not a quick tap |
| Gas Or Digestion | Higher in the abdomen, may move with gas | Irregular, often linked with meals |
| Baby Stretching | Strong pressure in one area, sometimes under ribs | Builds, holds, then eases off |
Can A Baby Have Hiccups In The Womb? Normal Patterns And Timing
Medical writers and obstetric teams agree that fetal hiccups are common during pregnancy and usually sit within a normal range. Babies can start hiccuping early, long before you feel anything, and many parents begin to notice the pattern during the second or third trimester.
The NHS pregnancy guide for weeks 25 to 28 explains that babies may get hiccups in the womb and that you might feel the jerk of each hiccup around this time, when movements in general become easier to feel. Other guides describe fetal hiccups as a routine part of how the diaphragm and breathing muscles practice inside the womb.
When Do Fetal Hiccups Usually Start?
Ultrasound studies show that fetal hiccups can begin in the first trimester, around 9 weeks of pregnancy, though at that stage they are too gentle for the parent to feel. Most people first notice baby hiccups in the womb somewhere between 24 and 30 weeks, once the baby is bigger and the uterus sits closer to the surface of the abdomen.
Many parents describe a phase in late second trimester when they feel these pulses most days. Others feel them far less often, or not at all in a way they can notice, while scans still show hiccups. Placenta position, body shape, and baby’s position can all change how strong the movements feel from the outside.
How Often Can Hiccups Happen?
Short bursts of fetal hiccups once or twice a day are common. Some babies seem to have them almost daily for a stretch; others may have them only now and then. Research papers and large pregnancy sites describe this wide range as normal as long as the usual movement pattern stays steady.
If your baby tends to have a brief spell of hiccups around the same time each day and still gives you a healthy number of kicks and rolls, that pattern usually fits within what care teams expect to see.
Why Babies Get Hiccups Before Birth
In adults, hiccups often follow a big meal or a change in breathing pattern. In the womb, the story looks a bit different. Babies do not swallow air, but they do swallow and move amniotic fluid. That motion can trigger the muscles involved in breathing, including the diaphragm, to contract in a rhythmic way that feels like hiccups.
Specialists describe several likely reasons for fetal hiccups:
- Breathing practice: Babies rehearse breathing movements by pulling amniotic fluid in and out of their airways, and this can set off short bouts of hiccups.
- Reflex development: The nerves that control the diaphragm and swallowing reflex are still maturing, and hiccups may reflect that growth.
- Feeding preparation: The body is wiring up the suck–swallow–breathe pattern needed for feeding after birth, and hiccups may be part of that process.
Daily Baby Hiccups In The Womb
Daily baby hiccups in the womb can still fit within a normal pattern, especially in the second trimester and early third trimester. Many parents report a period when those jerks show up once or twice a day, often after the parent eats or lies down to rest.
Clinicians encourage parents to pay more attention to the overall pattern than to the raw number of hiccups. Duration, intensity, and change compared with the usual rhythm matter more than counting every pulse. A short run of gentle hiccups with plenty of kicks and rolls around it is usually reassuring.
Patterns That Feel Reassuring
Some patterns line up well with what doctors expect in an uncomplicated pregnancy:
- Hiccups that last under 15 minutes and then stop.
- Episodes that come once or twice a day during baby’s active times.
- Normal kicks, rolls, and squirms in between, with no clear drop in movement.
- A pattern that stays stable from day to day.
As long as your baby follows their usual rhythm and you are feeling at least 10 movements over a couple of hours when you pay attention, many providers see daily hiccups as part of a healthy pattern.
Patterns That Need A Call To Your Doctor
Hiccups alone rarely point to a problem, but a sudden change can be a useful warning sign. Obstetric groups stress that a clear drop in overall fetal movement should be checked as soon as possible, because it can be linked with lower oxygen levels or issues with the placenta or cord.
Call your doctor, midwife, or local maternity triage line the same day if you notice any of these:
- Hiccups that suddenly feel stronger or more pounding than usual late in the third trimester.
- Several long episodes in a row, each lasting 15 to 20 minutes or more.
- Fewer kicks, rolls, or stretches than usual, especially if you feel fewer than 10 movements in 2 hours during a quiet time.
- A gut feeling that your baby is not moving in the way they normally do.
| Pattern You Notice | Common Meaning | What You Can Do |
|---|---|---|
| Short hiccups once a day | Usual fetal hiccup pattern | Note the time and enjoy the rhythm |
| Hiccups a few times a week | Normal variation in movement | Keep a light mental log |
| No felt hiccups, normal kicks | Placenta or position may blunt sensation | Rely on overall movement pattern |
| Daily hiccups plus strong kicks | Active baby with regular reflex practice | Track kicks if you like, rest when needed |
| Hiccups lasting 20 minutes or more | Needs a quick check, especially late in pregnancy | Call your doctor or maternity unit |
| Fewer than 10 movements in 2 hours | Could signal lower fetal activity | Seek urgent advice the same day |
| Sudden change from baby’s normal pattern | Body may be sending an early warning | Call your provider for monitoring |
Simple Ways To Track Baby Hiccups And Kicks
Many parents feel calmer when they have a basic routine for tuning in to movements, including baby hiccups in the womb. Kick counting is one common tool. Obstetric groups based on American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists advice often suggest choosing a time each day when the baby is usually active, lying on your side, and timing how long it takes to feel 10 movements of any kind.
You can read a clear walkthrough of kick counting in this summary of ACOG fetal movement recommendations, which explains that 10 movements within 1 to 2 hours is generally reassuring. Any movement counts: a hiccup, kick, roll, stretch, or wiggle.
Tips For Getting A Clear Sense Of Movement
- Lie on your left side or sit in a reclined position with your back resting on cushions.
- Turn off the TV and put your phone aside so you can pay attention to the sensations.
- Place both hands gently on your bump to feel movement from inside and outside.
- Give yourself at least an hour of relaxed time before you decide that movement is reduced.
How To Stay Comfortable While Baby Has Hiccups
Most of the time, fetal hiccups are harmless and even a bit amusing. Still, a long stretch of steady jerks can make it hard to fall asleep or sit through a meeting. Small adjustments can make those episodes easier to ride out.
- Shift position: Rolling to the other side or sitting up a little straighter can change how the hiccups feel against your muscles and ribs.
- Stretch gently: Slow stretches for your back and hips can ease tension when baby keeps tapping the same spot.
- Drink water: Sipping water or a warm drink can help you relax even if it does not stop the hiccups themselves.
- Breathe steadily: Slow, even breaths can calm your body while baby finishes that hiccup run.
If an episode feels stronger or longer than usual and it unsettles you, there is no harm in calling your care team for advice, even if everything turns out to be fine.
Baby Hiccups In The Womb As A Normal Milestone
So, can a baby have hiccups in the womb? Yes, and in most pregnancies those tiny, steady jumps are simply a sign that the diaphragm, lungs, and reflexes are getting ready for life on the outside. Some babies hiccup often, some rarely, and both patterns can sit inside a healthy range.
The goal is to learn your own baby’s rhythm. Enjoy the familiar taps when they match the pattern you know well, and reach out for medical help without delay if movement drops off, stops, or suddenly feels noticeably different.