A 36-year-old woman at 32 weeks of gestation presents to the GP reporting that her baby has hiccups several times a day. She is otherwise well with no...

Question

A 36-year-old woman at 32 weeks of gestation presents to the GP reporting that her baby has hiccups several times a day. She is otherwise well with normal fetal movements. Her pregnancy has been uncomplicated. Which is the single most appropriate advice?

Accepted Answer

Reassure that fetal hiccups are very common and are a normal physiological occurrence - they do not indicate fetal distress

Answer

Refer urgently to the maternity unit as fetal hiccups may indicate cord compression

Answer

Arrange an urgent ultrasound

Answer

Perform a non-stress test in the GP surgery

Answer

Advise her to count the hiccup episodes as part of kick counting

uk-drcog MCQ (SBA): Fetal Hiccups Reassurance

A 36-year-old woman at 32 weeks of gestation presents to the GP reporting that her baby has hiccups several times a day. She is otherwise well with normal fetal movements. Her pregnancy has been uncomplicated. Which is the single most appropriate advice?