Hiccups of the baby inside the womb, why does it happen?

One of the many curiosities of babies when they are in the womb is having hiccups, sometimes the mother can feel, and many others, no. But why does it happen?

hiccup in the womb

The hiccup in the womb may already occur in the first trimester of pregnancy, although usually comes in the second or third trimester. When the developing baby has hiccups, the mother may feel little spasms in the abdomen, different from other movements of pregnancy. Hiccups can last from minutes to hours, without harming the health or well-being of the baby in formation.

Why does it happen?
For a baby can have hiccups, they should already have their entire central nervous system, through which they can breathe in amniotic fluid. Hiccups, precisely, occurs when the fluid enters and leaves the lungs of the fetus, causing the diaphragm to contract rapidly.

It is a very common and completely normal reflex action, which prepares the developing baby’s lungs to breathe correctly after the birth. It also helps regulate the heart rate of the baby during the third trimester.

On the other hand, the hiccups of the fetus can occur when it does not receive sufficient air: in case of perceiving a sudden reduction in the frequency, intensity or duration of the hiccup of your baby, consult your doctor immediately as it may be due to a comprehension of the umbilical cord.

It may happen that umbilical cord wrap around the neck of the fetus, resulting in an understanding of the bone marrow, cutting off the air supply. However, these cases are very rare.

Another reason why the baby has hiccups in the womb is that this reflex action also helps him learn to suck chest, once outside the body of his mother. After birth, the sucking reflex will prevent milk between in their lungs.

Then, you know: not only is the hiccups in unborn babies something completely normal, but even can be considered as a sign of vitality and fetal well-being.