37wks preg, my boy often hiccup. 3-4 times in a day. is it normal? what's the cause? am worry. pls help. tq.

Normal: Fetal hiccups are incredibly common and of no concern. The fetus is actually swallowing and digesting amniotic fluid. This probably occurs related to a full stomach and irritation of the fetal diaphragm. It is not a sign of anything bad.

Common issue: Hiccups are felt due to a wave of energy moving thru the breathing muscle similar to the one that drives the heart beat. Babies often have it late in pregnancy and continue off/on for months after birth.Some theorize a role of the stomach rubbing the diaphram that stops as the baby grows longer & stomach rubs it less.Reguardless, in 3 decades I have found nothing that works consistantly to stop it