You expect the swollen ankles, the cravings, and the fatigue, but constant hiccups? That is a curveball most of us don’t see coming. If you find yourself hiccuping your way through your trimesters, you are not alone.
While usually harmless, pregnancy hiccups can range from a mild annoyance to a disruption of your sleep and eating habits.
We will break down exactly why your body is reacting this way and what it might mean for your pregnancy. We also have some expert-approved tips and natural remedies to help you calm the spasms and find some relief.
Key Takeaways
- Hiccups are caused by involuntary spasms of the diaphragm muscle.
- Pregnancy hormones like progesterone relax muscles, increasing acid reflux and triggering hiccups.
- While annoying, maternal hiccups are harmless to both you and your baby.
- Small lifestyle changes, such as eating smaller meals and staying hydrated, often provide relief.
What Causes Hiccups?
Hiccups happen when your diaphragm contracts involuntarily. The diaphragm is the large muscular membrane that separates your chest from your abdomen and helps you breathe.
Essentially, a hiccup is a muscle spasm. Following the spasm, your vocal cords snap shut, producing that distinct “hic” sound (1). While they usually resolve on their own within minutes, pregnancy can make them linger longer than usual.
Are Hiccups an Early Sign of Pregnancy?
Hiccups are not a definitive sign of pregnancy on their own, but they are often a side effect of other early pregnancy symptoms.
Your body goes through massive changes in the first trimester, and several of these shifts can trigger your diaphragm:
- Digestive changes: Nausea and indigestion are common triggers.
- Stress levels: Anxiety or excitement can induce spasms.
- Dietary shifts: Eating strange cravings or spicy foods can irritate your system.
- Breathing changes: Feeling short of breath impacts the diaphragm.
You likely won’t suspect you are pregnant just because you hiccup. You are more likely to notice a missed period or breast tenderness first. However, if you are experiencing early pregnancy symptoms like reflux or morning sickness, hiccups often tag along for the ride.
Why Can’t I Stop Hiccuping?
Hiccups stop being a funny quirk when they happen all day. Some pregnant women experience random episodes daily or wake up hiccuping.
The primary culprit is often progesterone. This hormone relaxes your muscles to accommodate the baby, but it also relaxes the valve between your stomach and esophagus. This allows acid to travel upward (acid reflux), which irritates the diaphragm and causes hiccups.
In A Nutshell
Additionally, as your baby grows, your uterus pushes upward against your stomach and diaphragm. This physical pressure makes spasms more likely.
If you suffer from persistent nausea throughout pregnancy, you might find hiccups are just part of the package. The good news is that once your baby arrives and your hormones regulate, these symptoms typically vanish.
Can Hiccuping Too Much Hurt My Baby?
It is natural to worry that the jerking motion of a hiccup might disturb your little one.
Fortunately, maternal hiccups do not harm the baby. Your baby is well-cushioned by amniotic fluid. They might feel the rhythmic movement, but it won’t hurt them. If you are worried about persistent hiccups or new symptoms, always speak to your care provider for peace of mind.
Managing Eating and Hiccups
Struggling to eat is common during pregnancy due to morning sickness or worsened allergies. When you add hiccups to the mix, mealtime becomes a challenge.
Eating large meals can trigger indigestion, which leads to more hiccups. To break this cycle, try grazing on small amounts of food throughout the day rather than sitting down for three heavy meals.
Keep these stomach-friendly snacks nearby:
- Low-salt crackers.
- Dry toast or breadsticks.
- Rice cakes.
- Plain popcorn.
- Dry cereal.
Bland, dry foods are less likely to cause the reflux that triggers diaphragm spasms. Even if you feel starving once the hiccups stop, pace yourself. wolfing down food introduces air into the stomach, which can restart the hiccups immediately.
How to Sleep with Hiccups
If hiccups are ruining your sleep, take a look at your nighttime routine. Laying flat immediately after eating is a recipe for reflux-induced hiccups.
Try these adjustments to settle your stomach before bed:
- Eat earlier: Finish your last meal at least two to three hours before bedtime.
- Watch your triggers: Avoid spicy, acidic, or fried foods at dinner. These increase acid production.
- Prop yourself up: Sleep with an extra pillow to keep your head elevated above your stomach.
If your diet is clean but hiccups persist, check your stress levels. Anxiety can manifest physically as hiccups.
Consider using relaxation tools before bed. Apps like Expectful or Headspace offer meditations specifically for pregnancy that can help calm your nervous system.
How Can I Get Relief?
Prevention is ideal, but sometimes you need an immediate fix. While old wives’ tales abound, some remedies have physiological merit by resetting the vagus nerve or increasing carbon dioxide levels in the blood.
Try these tips to stop a hiccup bout:
- Stimulate your swallowing reflex: Sip ice-cold water slowly or suck on a lemon wedge. The strong sensory input can distract the vagus nerve.
- Change your posture: Sit down and bring your knees to your chest. This compresses the chest slightly and may relieve diaphragm pressure.
- Controlled breathing: Breathe into a paper bag (not plastic) for a minute. The increase in carbon dioxide can help relax the diaphragm.
There is no magic cure that works for everyone, so you may need to experiment to find what works for your body.
When to See a Doctor
It is never silly to consult your doctor about health changes. While usually benign, hiccups that persist for more than 48 hours without relief warrant medical attention.
Long-term hiccups can signal underlying issues that may need treatment.
Rare conditions associated with persistent hiccups include:
- Gastrointestinal issues like GERD or IBD.
- Respiratory conditions (asthma or pneumonia).
- Metabolic issues (diabetes).
- Adverse reactions to medication.
Keep In Mind
FAQs
Is It Me Hiccuping or the Baby?
It can be tricky to tell the difference! If your whole upper body moves and you make a noise, it is you. If you feel a rhythmic, jerking spasm inside your belly that feels like a heartbeat or a muscle twitch (but you are not making sound), it is likely your baby hiccuping. Fetal hiccups are very common in the second and third trimesters.
Does Drinking Water Upside Down Work?
Many people swear by this trick. Bending over at the waist while drinking from the opposite side of the cup forces your abdominal muscles to contract and requires focus on swallowing. This distraction and muscle change can sometimes reset the diaphragm spasm.
Can I Take Medicine for Hiccups?
Generally, you should avoid taking medication specifically for hiccups unless prescribed. However, if your hiccups are caused by severe acid reflux, your doctor may approve pregnancy-safe antacids. Always consult your OB-GYN before taking any new medication.
Wrap Up
Hiccups during pregnancy are usually just another quirky side effect of your changing body. Between the hormones, the stress, and the indigestion, your diaphragm is under a lot of pressure.
Rest assured that while they are annoying for you, they are not hurting your baby. Try to eat smaller meals, stay calm, and ride it out. If they last longer than two days, give your doctor a call to rule out other issues.
