Can hiccups be a sign of pregnancy?
Charlotte Thomas
Social EditorFind out if your hiccups could be a sign of pregnancy, what the symptoms of early pregnancy are, and what else could be causing hiccups.
While hiccups aren’t listed as a sign or symptom of pregnancy by the NHS, you might hear some women say they knew they were pregnant because they got hiccups.
So are hiccups a sign that you’re pregnant, or is it just an old wives’ tale?
Are hiccups a sign of pregnancy?
While it’s unlikely that hiccups on their own are a sign of pregnancy, there is a small amount of evidence to suggest that some women might hiccup more than usual during pregnancy. The only way to tell for sure is to take a pregnancy test.
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There’s no official research to say that hiccups are a sign of pregnancy, although this study has found that, on average, women hiccup about twice as much during pregnancy as before they became pregnant.
Some mums-to-be have shared their thoughts on hiccuping as a sign of pregnancy in the Netmums forum:
- 'I had random hiccups - like 10 quick hiccups in succession then they stopped. Had nausea but only when I brushed my teeth/tongue, and was VERY emotional!'
- 'Itchy skin, hiccups and heartburn are all my give away symptoms before I get a bfp!'
- 'My due date is Friday and I have had them since before I did my test. It was one of the signs that made me think I was pregnant.'
However, the NHS doesn't list hiccups as an official sign of pregnancy on their own, and you should look for other symptoms if you suspect you might be pregnant. However, it's not completely impossible that there could be a link.
Why would hiccups be more common in pregnancy?
Hiccups are caused by involuntary spasms of the diaphragm – the muscle between your stomach and lungs.
When you’re pregnant, your body produces much higher levels of the hormone progesterone. Progesterone can cause your digestive system to slow down, which is why many women get heartburn and constipation during pregnancy.
During pregnancy, the growing baby pressing on your stomach can also cause acid reflux and digestive issues.
These symptoms can happen at any stage of pregnancy, including in the early days, although they're much more common after 27 weeks.
In theory, progesterone and pressure on your stomach could be linked to an irritation of the diaphragm, which causes hiccups. However, many of us get hiccups occasionally, so it’s probably a coincidence if you get hiccups in early pregnancy.
What else could be causing my hiccups?
Some of the common causes of hiccups include:
- Stress
- Excitement and other strong emotions
- Eating too much
- Eating food too quickly and swallowing air
- Drinking fizzy drinks
- Drinking alcohol
Can I do anything to get rid of hiccups?
Some tips you can try for getting rid of hiccups include:
- Sip ice-cold water
- Hold your breath for a short time
- Breathe in and out of a paper bag
- Pull your knees into your chest and lean forwards
The NHS says if you have hiccups that last more than 48 hours, you should speak to your doctor as they could be related to a health condition or medicine you're taking.
What are the common signs of pregnancy?
If you think you could be pregnant, look out for these signs of early pregnancy. They’re much more common than hiccups.
Early symptoms of pregnancy:
- Missing your period
- Feeling sick or nauseous
- Feeling tired
- Feeling more emotional than usual
- Tender breasts
- Needing to wee more often
- Constipation
- More vaginal discharge
- A metallic taste in your mouth
- Going off or craving foods
- A more sensitive sense of smell
What should I do if I think I'm pregnant?
If you think you could be pregnant, the only way to tell for sure is to take a test.
You can take a pregnancy test from the first day of your missed period. If you’re not sure when your next period’s due, wait at least 21 days from when you last had unprotected sex.
You can also get early detection pregnancy tests. These can be used four to five days before your period is due and some can even detect a pregnancy as early as eight days after conception.
What if I can feel my baby hiccup?
In the second or third trimester, some pregnant women notice their baby starts to hiccup in the womb. These are known as fetal hiccups. Fetal hiccups can feel like a twitch or spasm and some women describe them more rhythmic than their baby’s other movements.
While you should get to know your baby's pattern of movements so you can keep an eye on their health, the NHS says that fetal hiccups do not count as a movement. This is because hiccups are involuntary. Instead, you should focus on your baby's kicks, punches and rolls.
Not all babies will hiccup and not all mums-to-be will feel them hiccuping.
Doctors don’t know why babies get hiccups in the womb, although it could be linked to their lungs developing.
Fetal hiccups are normal and usually nothing to worry about. However, if you notice your baby is hiccuping frequently or you’re at all worried, speak to your midwife or GP.
Discuss pregnancy signs and symptoms with other parents in our forum …
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