Fetal hiccups: an associated fetal heart rate pattern.

Fetal hiccups are commonly diagnosed during the antepartum period, and they have a tendency to recur. The reflex of hiccuping is similar to that of gasping, except hiccuping efforts are made against a closed airway. An episode of intrapartum hiccups was confirmed via real-time ultrasound scanning during monitoring with a direct fetal scalp electrode. A neonatal heart rate pattern during hiccuping is also included. Distinctive fetal and neonatal heart rate patterns were observed during the hiccuping episode. It is speculated that the fetal heart rate pattern seen with hiccups may resemble that of fetal gasping.