Hiccups and Jerky Movements

[lo95]

I am 32 weeks and have been experiencing a LOT of hiccups since 27-28 weeks. One night, at 28 weeks, I experienced massive hiccuping and a lot of Braxton Hicks in a row, so we ended up in L&D. I thought for sure they'd say I was nuts, but it turned out I was dehydrated and needed IV fluids. (The hiccups were never identified as related, but it's the thing that took me to L&D in the first place.)  I insisted on an ultrasound that day, which didn't show any problems. At my 31 1/2 week appointment doctor told me everything is fine and it's my anxiety.

Fast forward to now and I suppose I just can't shake a feeling that something is off because so many of my pregnant friends have no idea what I'm talking about when I mention this constant hiccuping and these fast, jerky movements that I get in a far less frequent fashion. Jumping onto Google is always terrifying because I've read a medical journal article about rapid movements and seizures in utero.

Is anyone else experiencing hiccup sessions (think 3-5 times a day for 10 minutes or so) and/or these rapid jerky movements? I love my OB, but because of my generalized anxiety I think pretty much everything I say is chalked up to anxiety.

[earthian]

My lo (I'll be 39 weeks on Monday ) has hiccups several times a day as well, though I'm not sure how long they last because I don't particularly pay attention. My dd had them often when I was pregnant with her as well, so it's not something I'd worry about, personally.

As far as the rapid jerky movements, dd never did it but this lo has a few times. It freaked me out the first time it happened because it did almost feel like he was having a seizure! Of course I googled and freaked myself out, so I asked my doctor about it.

She said that unless it was happening on a very frequent basis it was nothing to worry about. So I've left it at that.

Sorry if that didn't answer much for you but that's my experience. I hope it can help make you feel better, but if you truely feel like something is not right talk to your doctor about it again. Good luck!


Eta, I also have anxiety disorder so I know how it feels to have concerns blown off because "its just your anxiety." Its very frustrating especially when you have valid questions.

[billyhorrible]

No rapid movements, and I'm a lot earlier than you (27 + 6 weeks), but with my first, I felt like he was always hiccupping. Several times a day. (This also continued after he was born). He was a completely healthy baby, nothing wrong with him.

This one has just started, so I only get the hiccupping once a day, but won't be surprised if they increase in frequency.

[lo95]

Mar 8, 2015 0:30:20 GMT -5 earthian said:

My lo (I'll be 39 weeks on Monday ) has hiccups several times a day as well, though I'm not sure how long they last because I don't particularly pay attention. My dd had them often when I was pregnant with her as well, so it's not something I'd worry about, personally.

As far as the rapid jerky movements, dd never did it but this lo has a few times. It freaked me out the first time it happened because it did almost feel like he was having a seizure! Of course I googled and freaked myself out, so I asked my doctor about it.

She said that unless it was happening on a very frequent basis it was nothing to worry about. So I've left it at that.

Sorry if that didn't answer much for you but that's my experience. I hope it can help make you feel better, but if you truely feel like something is not right talk to your doctor about it again. Good luck!


Eta, I also have anxiety disorder so I know how it feels to have concerns blown off because "its just your anxiety." Its very frustrating especially when you have valid questions.

I suppose I'm having a hard time with "is this too much?" The jerky movements seem to be more frequent than they've been. This morning I counted her making these quivery movements 7 times in 20 minutes. (I've literally started making note of this stuff so I can see if there's a pattern to any of it.) I am totally paranoid about her having seizures. But it doesn't help that I found one medical journal that discussed rapid movements felt by mothers whose babies had utero seizures. I know it would be such a rare thing to have happen but I can't help but always feel like something bad is lurking. IF brain I guess. Hopefully.

[earthian]

Mar 9, 2015 16:02:17 GMT -5 lo95 said:

Mar 8, 2015 0:30:20 GMT -5 earthian said:

My lo (I'll be 39 weeks on Monday ) has hiccups several times a day as well, though I'm not sure how long they last because I don't particularly pay attention. My dd had them often when I was pregnant with her as well, so it's not something I'd worry about, personally.

As far as the rapid jerky movements, dd never did it but this lo has a few times. It freaked me out the first time it happened because it did almost feel like he was having a seizure! Of course I googled and freaked myself out, so I asked my doctor about it.

She said that unless it was happening on a very frequent basis it was nothing to worry about. So I've left it at that.

Sorry if that didn't answer much for you but that's my experience. I hope it can help make you feel better, but if you truely feel like something is not right talk to your doctor about it again. Good luck!


Eta, I also have anxiety disorder so I know how it feels to have concerns blown off because "its just your anxiety." Its very frustrating especially when you have valid questions.

I suppose I'm having a hard time with "is this too much?" The jerky movements seem to be more frequent than they've been. This morning I counted her making these quivery movements 7 times in 20 minutes. (I've literally started making note of this stuff so I can see if there's a pattern to any of it.) I am totally paranoid about her having seizures. But it doesn't help that I found one medical journal that discussed rapid movements felt by mothers whose babies had utero seizures. I know it would be such a rare thing to have happen but I can't help but always feel like something bad is lurking. IF brain I guess. Hopefully.

Sorry you're having such a hard time. I think it's good that you're keeping track of how often its happening because then you have something concrete to show your doctor.

I've never had to deal with IF, but I know with my anxiety I get that "Something bad is going to happen" feeling a lot, and pregnancy brings it out more, for me at least.

Hang in there, and show your doctor your notes. Hopefully she can help put your mind at ease.

[IFinTN]

Starting this week (28 weeks) I have noticed hiccups several times a day for 10 min or more. Also feeling thrashing and quivering movements.

I am getting a BPP (extended ultrasound) 2x a week because of my high risk status. So far baby has been great on ultrasound and my OB is not concerned about the hiccups or the movements. They are totally normal.

[Deleted]

I'm 28 weeks and I have the quivering rapid movements. I had them w DS as well when I was pregnant a few years ago. I never though anything more of them or stressed about them. I have wondered lately what the hell the baby is doing in there since it is so much crazy movement but I'm going to stay away from Google since I tend to stress if I google anything medical related

[AleWife]

I scared myself with thoughts of fetal seizures as well, earlier in my pregnancy. The movements subsided and were more likely muscle spasms in my own abdominal area. I'm still getting lots of hiccups, too.

Don't be afraid to bring up these concerns with your doc, though. It will put your mind at ease.

[saltyfins]

I feel hiccups a lot. I also feel rapid, jerky movements occasionally. It hasn't been something I've been concerned about at all.

[IFinTN]

Btw lo95 between weeks 28 and 38 I will have 20 ultrasounds Yep, twice a week because I am high risk. Your concerns about too many ultrasounds are unfounded. You can't stress because you want the ultrasound and then stress when you get it too, that's silly. I say this with all the love in the world and as someone who also has anxiety, you have got to chill.

[lo95]

Mar 23, 2015 16:51:07 GMT -5 IFinTN said:

Btw lo95 between weeks 28 and 38 I will have 20 ultrasounds Yep, twice a week because I am high risk. Your concerns about too many ultrasounds are unfounded. You can't stress because you want the ultrasound and then stress when you get it too, that's silly. I say this with all the love in the world and as someone who also has anxiety, you have got to chill.

Sorry for the late response! I've tried to take a few weeks "off" from checking the boards to see if it would help my anxiety.

I appreciate the advice. I hope I'm worrying for nothing. I have my 36 week appointment tomorrow and am going to discuss NST, which my OB offered at my last appointment.
I think I'm going to go ahead with the ultrasound too. My OB told me that it won't likely catch a cord issue which, from what I've read, seems to be the problem with cord accidents in general, but I suppose some of my anxiety could be relieved in seeing other measurements.

I'm just at a loss for how to cope. I really don't see ever trying to do this again, and so this feels like the weight of the world on my shoulders. Like if I miss something and something happens to her I've lost the only chance I've got at being a mother. Infertility really screwed me up in a way I never saw coming when we were actually doing the fertility treatments. But now she has a name and a nursery and a life we are trying to prepare for her- and so dealing with these hiccups not going away And not lessening makes me feel as if I'm getting this big clue that something is wrong and I'm powerless about it.

I suppose more of a vent than a question. I just wish there was some test or some plan I could make to be proactive in the event of a cord knot or something detrimental, you know?

[marirosem07]

I asked my doctor about this back in second trimester (I'm currently 37 + 2) and she kinda just shrugged it off and responded with, there's no way for sure to know what's going on in there. I feel like this should have put me at ease a little bit, but this is pretty much her answer for EVERYTHING and it's starting to irritate me. I too am afraid to ask Dr. Google about it after my last episode of looking up something that again my doctor just shrugged off, so I'm REALLY hoping it's just the baby being bored/curious in utero, having muscle spasms (which I tend to have a lot), or just kinda dancin' around in there.

[erinkay]

lo95, Sorry you're still having a hard time. I occasionally feel the quivery movements you're talking about, and I did with my first as well. And this baby gets hiccups at the same time every day for some weird reason. I hope the tests you're scheduling will give you some reassurance. I just want to add that being a new mom is super stressful. I don't mean to scare you, but if your anxiety is already out of control, you may have a really hard time when your LO arrives. Please talk to your doctor (OB and PCP) about coping techniques, seek counseling, activate all your support systems! Hang in there.