contractions vs baby's hiccups

**Carmen2** · October 11th, 2007, 01:23 AM

I know this sounds really stupid, but I have been getting some mild rythmic movements at my belly at different times of the day. Some days I go without them and other days I get it couple of times. Are they just Braxton Hicks or my baby's hiccups? I can't really tell the difference and have no experience of this since this is my first pregnancy. These rythmic movements last for a few minutes, they're not painful, just very synchronized!

**Cricket** · October 11th, 2007, 04:10 AM

Generally, hiccups feel like a rhythmic twitch in your tummy, and they can last for any length of time, really. Your tummy won't get tight from that. Braxton Hicks contractions usually last 10-30 seconds, and can come just once in a while, or every few minutes over a period of time. When one happens, your tummy will get all hard and tight feeling, but usually they don't hurt at all. It will stay tight for 10-30 seconds or so, and then relax and go away. Your baby may be quiet or active during and after a contraction. It doesn't seem to bother them too much.
My guess from what you have described is that you are feeling hiccups. Keep a hand on your belly if you are still unsure - if you are feeling a repeated "twitch" it's hiccups. If you are feeling your tummy get all hard and tight for a little while, it's BH contractions.

**August** · October 11th, 2007, 05:08 AM

Hi Carmen
My DS used to get the hiccups all the time, I would describe it as being rhythmic like a heartbeat and just in the one spot. eg. low in your belly if the baby is head down. With braxtons, like cricket said, your whole belly tightens then relaxes and is quite different from hiccups.

**Carmen2** · October 11th, 2007, 07:29 AM

From what you two described, it really does sound like I am feeling my baby's hiccups. I am nearly 37 weeks now, and so far have not noticed any Braxton Hicks, is this normal?

**Danni** · October 11th, 2007, 07:39 AM

yes thats fine! i never had any

**Cricket** · October 11th, 2007, 08:55 AM

I don't think I noticed any BH with my first baby either. I notice plenty of them now though, with baby #3. No worries!

tracey* · October 11th, 2007, 10:54 AM

Hiccups are totally cute, aren't they?

BH = not so cute. lol.

**Carmen2** · October 11th, 2007, 12:08 PM

The feeling of hiccups is amazing. I have to admit though that I was a little nervous because I wasn't sure if it was normal what I was experiencing. I think being a first time mom is really a challenge. At the same time, it's not an easy thing to do so... so many worries and questions. I feel like an idiot sometimes for asking so many questions. Only about 4 more weeks to go, I am hoping that these weeks will go by quickly. I think I'll miss the feeling of being pregnant once my DD is born. Maybe my next pregnancy, I'll experience BH! By the way, should I be worried that my DD is hiccuping or is it a normal thing for a baby to do so?

**New Dawn** · October 11th, 2007, 12:22 PM

As far as I know they are normal all three off my babies have had hiccups, which that also had when born I know that this made baby#1and baby#3 vomit after a feed but baby #2 didnt have them after birth but she didn't get them too much when I was pg. I too never noticed BH when pg with #1 but felt them very early on with baby 2 and 3. good luck and I know its hard to believe when you are having your first but you really will know when you are in labor and not just having BH

**Dragonbub** · October 11th, 2007, 01:23 PM

Jellybean hiccups almost every time I eat! Feels like what the other ladies describe - kind of like a muscle twitch that wont go away, and very rhythmic.

BH MUCH different, tightening all over. They say they shouldn't be painful but lately they have come accompanied by period pain, so they might get more painful as you progress in the pregnancy.

Good luck!

**~kellie~** · October 11th, 2007, 05:07 PM

this may seem like a stupid question, but when you say that contractions will make your belly tighten, would that look and feel (except for the pain) like your breathing in?

Or does your tummy get bigger? My tummy keeps getting bigger, like I'm breathing out, but I'm not sure if its bubs or something else?

**mrsr** · October 11th, 2007, 05:11 PM

Can babies fluff before they're born? I've heard a definite blurting sound and it doesn't feel like any part of my body doing it!!!

**New Dawn** · October 11th, 2007, 05:21 PM

Your tummy should tighten when having a contration, I alway think it looks like the shape off the baby ie there is a big hard bit up top ( bum and legs ) and a small very hard thing down low ( head ) I have never had a bloating tummy but you never know.

as for babies fluffing I dont know maybe just some water getting squished out of the way or moved around but maybe they can as they can poo when in labor ( not that you want this to happen )

**Carmen2** · October 12th, 2007, 12:30 AM

Do you think I will experience any BH before really going into true labor? I am so scared that I won't be able to tell the difference when the time comes? Also, do I need to do anything to relieve my baby's hiccups?

**Cricket** · October 12th, 2007, 01:31 AM

No there is not really anything that you can do for your baby's hiccups, nor do you need to. They don't seem to bother unborn babies at all, or newborns, either. (They will also get them a fair bit.) In fact, the hiccups can be helpful for developing and strengthening the baby's diaphragm.
As far as the difference between labour and BH, my guess is, you'll know. I certainly did. BH generally don't hurt, and labour definitely does. Some women do find that the BH are painful towards the end, especially, but even then, there is a difference. True labour becomes more intense as time goes on, and does not stop, no matter whether you change activities or positions. (BH will often stop if you change what you are doing.) Labour also is accompanied usually (although not always) by other signs too - losing your mucous plug, having some bleeding, and maybe even having your water break.
If in doubt when the time comes, by all means call your OB/midwife! They will be able to tell you what to look for, or have you come in and be checked, just in case. You certainly wouldn't be the first woman who is unsure about labour, and you won't be the last either! All the best!

BTW - as far as fluffing goes - I don't think so. What you are hearing is probably your own tummy rumbling.
And about tummy shape during BH - mine kind of "bunches up" in the middle, and gets round and tight. I think the shape depends on how your baby is sitting. You can feel that if your tummy is relaxed enough - hard lump for bum, poky bits for arms and legs, long firm curve for back, and hard lump for head. If the head is down, you probably won't feel that too well.

**August** · October 12th, 2007, 02:38 AM

DS gets the hiccups now just as much as he did when I was pg which is ALL THE TIME!! I hardly got any BH either.

tracey* · October 12th, 2007, 09:44 AM

this may seem like a stupid question, but when you say that contractions will make your belly tighten, would that look and feel (except for the pain) like your breathing in?

Or does your tummy get bigger? My tummy keeps getting bigger, like I'm breathing out, but I'm not sure if its bubs or something else?

During my more 'uncomfortable' BH's, my whole bump will morph into a new shape and go completely hard. It'll take my breath away because it really does feel like it's tightening up a whole lot. I guess it's like tightening a knot? It pulls and pulls and pulls into a smaller shaped knot

I think it looks like it's 'shrinking' because it tightens up so much everywhere

I'll have to wait and see what the contractions look like because I haven't had any yet

**Carmen2** · October 12th, 2007, 10:24 AM

If one does experience BH, is it true that it can be relieve by a change of position?

Also, sorry for asking such a stupid question, but does the waters break before true labor kicks in?

A first time mommy has endless questions....