Fetal hiccups are a normal part of pregnancy and wont harm the baby. They usually start in the second or third trimester and can feel like a rhythmic and pulsating movement that lasts a few minutes before subsiding. The entire fetal body moves in a jerking motion with each hiccup, which many pregnant people can feel. Some people have described it as a twitch or pulsating feeling akin to a muscle spasm. Fetal hiccups follow the same rhythmic motion as breathing, but more forcefully. They occur for a short, consistent period of time, then go away on their own. Fetal hiccups indicate the activation of the nerve that controls the diaphragm and help confirm that the brain and spinal cord are intact and doing their job. They are also considered a good sign and a natural part of pregnancy. After week 32, its less common to experience fetal hiccups every day, and if they change suddenly or last a long time in later pregnancy, its recommended to check in with a doctor.