A woman's body undergoes a lot of changes during pregnancy in order to comfortably bear a baby. Expectant mothers are beginning to be more attentive to their health and such a harmless thing as hiccups can scare them very much.
What is hiccups and its varieties
Hiccups are a short-term nonspecific respiratory disorder. It occurs due to involuntary spasm of the diaphragm and the simultaneous closure of the epiglottis. During such contractions of the diaphragm, the volume of the chest changes dramatically, a sharp breath occurs with the closing of the glottis. Hiccups do not pose a threat to life, but deliver a lot of discomfort.
Hiccups are divided into two types:
- short-term (episodic);
- long.
Attacks of short-term hiccups last no more than 15 minutes. They arise spontaneously and pass by themselves. Episodes of prolonged hiccups usually recur daily and last from several hours to several days.
Causes of hiccups in pregnant women in the early stages
In the early stages of an interesting situation, the body of the expectant mother may react differently to external stimuli. Pregnant women often respond to adverse situations with hiccups. Hormonal changes during this period of life affect the body, including the digestive tract. The synthesis of enzymes decreases and the processes of digestion of food slow down. The nervous system of pregnant women becomes more labile, and the peripheral nerve endings of the abdominal and thoracic cavities become hyperactive. These factors contribute to hiccups during pregnancy.
There are many reasons for hiccups during early pregnancy. These include:
- overeating, especially before bed;
- eating fatty and spicy foods;
- strong laughter, crying;
- hypothermia;
- stress;
- hormonal changes.
Why do women often hiccup in late pregnancy?
The causes of hiccups in late pregnancy remain the same as in early pregnancy. But one more is added to them. Hiccups can appear due to the rapid growth of the baby in the womb.
An enlarged uterus takes up more space in the abdominal cavity, reducing the amount of free volume. Intra-abdominal pressure begins to rise, irritating the nerve receptors of the diaphragm. Her spasms occur, and pregnant women have hiccups.
Ways to get rid of hiccups during pregnancy
Attacks of hiccups do not pose a threat to the body of the mother and baby. But if such episodes are too long, do not go away on their own and cause discomfort, then they need to be dealt with. The most correct decision would be to contact a antenatal clinic to a specialist. There are also simple methods to get rid of hiccups on your own.
You need to understand why hiccups appeared. Pregnant women with frequent bouts of hiccups after meals should reduce portions of food and not eat for two hours before bedtime. After all, a too full stomach can irritate the phrenic nerves. If hiccups occur after hypothermia, a warm room and hot tea will correct the situation.
There are several methods for quickly getting rid of hiccups:
- calm down and relax;
- hold your breath for a few seconds, but do not strain your abdominal muscles too much;
- drink a glass of cold water in small sips;
- gnaw on a crust of bread or a cracker.
Important! Do not try to save pregnant women from hiccups using the scare method! It can cause preterm labor at a later date.
What to do if hiccups in a pregnant woman do not go away within a day
Sometimes bouts of hiccups last more than a day, which scares expectant mothers. In such situations, it is important to remain calm. Remember, the hiccups themselves do not harm the mother and the baby in any way. But panic and fear can adversely affect the body of a pregnant woman.
If hiccups do not go away for more than a day and this causes severe discomfort, then it is better to contact a gynecologist. The doctor will find out the cause of hiccups and select the correct treatment.
Important! In no case do not self-medicate. Self-administration of medications can adversely affect the health of the mother and child
Prevention of hiccups during pregnancy
Prevention of hiccups will save a lot of nerve cells for the expectant mother. To prevent seizures, you need to lead a healthy lifestyle:
- normalize sleep, work and rest;
- change the diet;
- avoid hypothermia;
- stabilize the psycho-emotional state.
A pregnant woman does not need extra worries. Therefore, it is better to avoid negative emotions and think only about positive things. Also, expectant mothers need to give up long and hard work. Healthy sleep and walks in the fresh air will help to relax and get rid of worries.
Pregnant women need to change their eating habits to prevent hiccups. It is better for such women to limit the consumption of fatty and spicy foods and reduce the amount of servings. Try to eat less, but increase the number of meals.
Hiccups in women in an interesting position is a physiological process that does not require special treatment. By following simple rules, you can easily cope with episodes of hiccups. Remember, the health of the unborn child directly depends on the mother. So be calm, happy and enjoy your pregnancy.
What is hiccups and how it manifests itself, of course, every person knows, but we are sure that not all of us know that it can occur in the stomach of a pregnant woman. And as often happens, many do not even associate frequent and prolonged hiccups at such a time with the process of bearing a child. So why is this phenomenon happening? Let's consider this in more detail.
Is hiccups in pregnancy normal?
We hasten to reassure expectant mothers that hiccups during pregnancy are not at all a reason to be nervous and upset. But, of course, if it occurs quite often and for a long time, besides, it gives the woman considerable discomfort and pain in the abdomen, then a mandatory visit to the doctor will be required. He will help to identify the causes that interfere with the normal life of the mother and child, and, if necessary, prescribe appropriate treatment.
According to experts, most often this happens because the female body undergoes great changes already in the early stages of pregnancy. Unrest and worries about future childbirth also do not always have a positive effect on its functioning.
From the point of view of medicine, hiccups are irritation of the abdominal diaphragm, which performs the function of separating the abdominal organs from the chest.
The main causes that affect the occurrence of hiccups during pregnancy are:
- malnutrition and overeating;
- strong uncontrollable laughter;
- hypothermia of the body;
- nervous disorders and experiences;
- accumulation of excess fluid in the stomach and esophagus.
How to get rid of hiccups
Our tips will help get rid of this phenomenon, listen to them:
- Tip 1. Hiccups due to hypothermia? Yes, this means that your body has become supercooled and reacted with its manifestation. Dress warmly, warm your feet and be sure to drink a glass of warm sweet tea.
- Tip 2. Hiccups due to overeating? It is no secret that overeating during pregnancy is fraught not only with the manifestation of such an unpleasant process, but also with other negative consequences. Adjust your diet: eat more often and in small portions.
- Tip 3. Try to eliminate annoying factors that cause you negative emotions, learn to be distracted and remain calm.
- Tip 4. Proper breath holding is excellent for eliminating hiccups, but it must be done very carefully so as not to harm the child.
- Tip 5. Tilt your torso forward and in this position drink a few sips of cool boiled water - a positive result (stopping hiccups) will not keep you waiting long.
In no case do not try to get rid of it using such a method as to scare a pregnant woman. In addition to the harm done, such treatment will lead to nothing, worse, if it causes premature birth.
Baby hiccups in mom's belly
It turns out that such a phenomenon as fetal hiccups during pregnancy happens quite often, but many women simply do not assume that the rhythmic movements that occur in their stomach are quite unusual movements of the unborn child, but those very hiccups. According to the observations of experts, they can begin as early as the 26th week of pregnancy and continue until the very birth. Two or three minutes and even half an hour - such is the possible probability of the duration of the hiccups. For someone, it can manifest itself once a week, for someone every day, but in any case, it can bring a lot of anxieties and worries to a woman - is everything all right with the baby?
We list the most common causes that can provoke hiccups in a child:
- Its manifestation can occur due to the ingestion of amniotic fluid (amniotic fluid) into the lungs, which irritates the abdominal diaphragm. This happens while the baby is training the skills of thumb sucking, yawning and swallowing (the diaphragm and lungs work).
- The entanglement of the umbilical cord of the fetus can cause intrauterine hiccups. In the case of a prolonged, rapid and intense manifestation of it, it becomes necessary to examine the woman for the presence of the fetus in the abdomen. The umbilical cord wrapped around the baby's neck can lead to impaired circulation and additional blood flow, as a result, there will be an increase in the frequency of the heart muscles. An ultrasound examination will help clarify the diagnosis.
- Oxygen starvation (hypoxia in the body) causes the baby to hiccup. According to experts, a lack of oxygen is diagnosed with its increased activity, that is, when it makes sudden movements.
When a doctor determines fetal hypoxia or fetoplacental insufficiency, a pregnant woman is prescribed appropriate treatment and a certain tactic for childbirth.
A little about fetal hypoxia
Fetal hypoxia is not an independent disease, but a response to pathological processes that occur in the body of a pregnant woman already in the early stages.
These processes include:
- low hemoglobin level;
- circulatory failure;
- diabetes;
- diseases of the respiratory system;
- risk of miscarriage.
Detection of hypoxia in the early stages and timely complex treatment will help to avoid the destruction that it can cause to the health of the mother and baby. That is why, from the first months of pregnancy, it is necessary to pay attention to its prevention: walks in the fresh air, the exclusion of all sorts of experiences and worries, and, of course, breathing exercises and training.
The manifestation of hiccups in the fetus characterizes the normal development of the central nervous system. This is not only independent breathing at the time of the birth of a child, swallowing food and sucking the breast, but also a massage that promotes the work of all internal organs. And do not worry about this - the hiccups do not bring any inconvenience and discomfort to the baby himself.
A hiccuping person always looks a little silly and funny and feels very embarrassed. But, unfortunately, we cannot control and restrain hiccups. And if it arises in the company of other people, then it will certainly "drive us into the paint." Even if you hiccup at home, sometimes it can just torture you to the end. Some kind of horror...
Why do pregnant women hiccup?
Well, of course, everyone can hiccup and it scares few people. And future mothers in this sense are no exception. But it happens that during pregnancy a woman begins to hiccup much more often and longer than before. Of course, this is definitely alarming for her: is everything okay?
There are many reasons that can cause hiccups. Anatomically, this occurs due to irritation of the diaphragm, which separates the abdominal and thoracic organs. But in life, hiccups can have several explanations. Some hiccups when they laugh a lot and hard, others - due to hypothermia, and someone reacts in this way to overeating. By the way, digestive disorders during pregnancy are not uncommon. But there is another reason why hiccups occur especially often during this period: these are unrest and. An unfavorable environment at home or at work, personal problems, nervous breakdowns, worries, fears (including those associated with future childbirth) - all this can cause hiccups in a pregnant woman. Therefore, dress warmly, do not eat too much and calm down - everything will be fine.
Is hiccups dangerous during pregnancy?
Neither for the pregnancy itself, nor for the unborn child, hiccups do not pose any danger. Moreover, it is often even observed during this period, which you can read in more detail on our website.
However, in some cases, mom should still play it safe, once again visiting the doctor. We are talking about frequently repeated regular and prolonged hiccups, as well as when it gives a pregnant woman discomfort and even pain. In such cases, hiccups may be a sign of some disorders, which must be ruled out. Therefore, consultation with a doctor is a must. Most likely he will appoint you some examinations.
How to stop hiccups during pregnancy?
But even infrequently and short-lived bouts of hiccups cause discomfort to the expectant mother. In this case, these tips will help you - how to stop hiccups during pregnancy:
- If you are cold, dress warmly to keep warm and drink warm sweet tea.
- If hiccups occur due to overeating, try to reduce portions of what you eat. It's useful in any case. During pregnancy, it is recommended to eat fractionally: often, but a little bit.
- It is advisable to exclude all factors that irritate you and cause negative emotions. Calm down, relax, think about something pleasant, try to distract yourself.
- Drink chilled water in very small sips (as far as possible) and from the far opposite edge of the cup, and not as usual.
- Some help water with pieces of ice - half a glass will be enough.
- You can try to gnaw on rye crackers or bread. But be careful not to choke.
- You can also take full lungs of air and hold your breath, but be careful: excessive tension in the abdominal muscles during pregnancy is highly undesirable.
Specially for
Hiccups during pregnancy in some women occur more often than before, and can be seriously annoying. It seems indecent to hiccup, especially when it overcomes in a public place, and it is difficult to call these sensations pleasant.
Why does hiccups happen during pregnancy?
Hiccups are rhythmic contractions of the diaphragm, and can occur for a variety of reasons, but these three are common during pregnancy:
1. Indigestion
2. Stress and anxiety
3. Hypothermia
Rarer causes, such as myocardial infarction or the presence of diaphragmatic hernia, tumors, drugs or alcohol in pregnant women are unlikely.
Contractions of the diaphragm can be rare or indomitable (long, tormenting for several days). Expectant mothers practically do not encounter the latter option, but the first case is extremely unpleasant. So why does hiccups occur?
Doctors blame everything on irritation of the n.vagus, the vagus nerve, the main nerve of the human autonomic system that innervates the diaphragm. A baby is growing in your tummy, the uterus in the later stages fills almost the entire abdominal cavity, and if you eat a lot, drink a lot of water, or you just have flatulence, the abdominal organs, of course, will put pressure on the diaphragm much stronger than an ordinary person.
These symptoms, in early pregnancy, can also occur due to impaired digestion, but your fears and worries are another common cause. Expectant mothers very often worry in vain, worry about the baby, get nervous at work, painfully perceive the events of their lives that are generally normal, worry about the outcome of pregnancy and childbirth.
Sometimes, respiratory dysfunction occurs simply due to hypothermia, this is a typical reaction to the cold of any person.
How to help yourself?
1. Eat in small portions but more often, with an attack of hiccups, it helps to drink cold water, you can even add ice to it. It is necessary to drink in small sips, slowly, usually only half a glass of water can stop hiccups. Hiccups after eating are a clear sign that your portions should be reduced.
2. Dress warmly and avoid hypothermia, if you have hiccups due to cold, try to warm up faster, drink hot tea.
3. Do not be nervous, set yourself up for positive. It is not worth taking sedative medications and dietary supplements on your own - seek the advice of a doctor.
Fetal breathing during pregnancy
It also happens, these sensations can be experienced from the second half of pregnancy, although the baby is able to hiccup at an earlier date, it is simply impossible to feel it. A pregnant woman has unusual sensations of trembling inside the abdomen, which cannot be confused with something else, usually the expectant mother herself guesses that the child is hiccuping.
Confused breathing of the fetus can occur several times during the day for a short time, after 2-3 minutes everything stops by itself. Doctors attribute this phenomenon to the training of the respiratory muscles and the ingestion of amniotic fluid by the fetus, considering it to be the norm.
This is not dangerous either for you or for the crumbs, although nevertheless, with very frequent hiccups of the baby during pregnancy, you should consult a doctor, theoretically this may be due to hypoxia in the crumbs, and you may need an additional examination.
