Pulsating Belly?

NewQueen

Not sure if this has been discussed yet - I've been on vacation for the last week and have a hard time keeping up with daily posts to begin with but...

Has anyone noticed their belly pulsating? It's rhythmic, like a heart beat, but much faster. It's close in speed to the panting of a dog and different than hiccups. I noticed it for the first time last night and it just started happening again. He did it a couple of times and now he's actually got the hiccups. This baby moves all the time! I can both see and feel this repetitive movement. Any one else? Any idea what he's doing in there?

BelhurstBride

I've noticed it a few times this time and had it often while pregnant with DD. No idea what it is, though!

klei0011

I actually notice it when I am getting a BH contraction. My belly tightens slightly and then it pulsates almost like I can feel my heart beat in my stomach.

ELauren88

I assumed they were hiccups, but I've also been reading (can't remember where, sorry) that baby is/can be making crying like movements in there. So it could also be that. Like the opening and closing of the mouth, shaking fists, etc, etc. Crazy thought, and not sure how accurate it is...having read it on the internet.

rfrazier611

ELauren88:

I assumed they were hiccups, but I've also been reading (can't remember where, sorry) that baby is/can be making crying like movements in there. So it could also be that. Like the opening and closing of the mouth, shaking fists, etc, etc. Crazy thought, and not sure how accurate it is...having read it on the internet.

I've read about the crying too, but it was in an actual book so I bet there's some truth to it.  It makes ME want to cry knowing that he could be crying in there and I can't comfort him!

NewQueen

rfrazier611:

ELauren88:

I assumed they were hiccups, but I've also been reading (can't remember where, sorry) that baby is/can be making crying like movements in there. So it could also be that. Like the opening and closing of the mouth, shaking fists, etc, etc. Crazy thought, and not sure how accurate it is...having read it on the internet.

I've read about the crying too, but it was in an actual book so I bet there's some truth to it.  It makes ME want to cry knowing that he could be crying in there and I can't comfort him!

Really? 

If that's the case then I'm in trouble. Between that and the amount he moves in general it appears as though I'm currently cooking a very active and cranky baby. 

Cosmic+Love

It is probably your aorta, more specifically your abdominal aorta, that is causing all the movement. If you hadn't experienced it prior to pregnancy, it may be cropping up now due to the increased blood flow to the baby.

You can take your pulse and watch your stomach to see if they are in synch. Kind of neat actually. I used to be able to see my stomach pulsing after a run, even before pregnancy.

ETA: Reading comprehension failure. Just saw that you said it was faster than a heartbeat. Sorry!

tarapike86

Was told by doc in my first pregnancy that it could be practice breathing movements Makes sense to me

Ktbug613

rfrazier611:

ELauren88:

I assumed they were hiccups, but I've also been reading (can't remember where, sorry) that baby is/can be making crying like movements in there. So it could also be that. Like the opening and closing of the mouth, shaking fists, etc, etc. Crazy thought, and not sure how accurate it is...having read it on the internet.

I've read about the crying too, but it was in an actual book so I bet there's some truth to it.  It makes ME want to cry knowing that he could be crying in there and I can't comfort him!

 

If it makes you feel any better I just did a quick search on the subject. It seems there is significant evidence that babies make crying like movements and grimaces while still in womb, but there is no evidence that they are actually crying or experiencing discomfort. While that theory is not ruled out it is more strongly suspected that just like everything else in utero its practice....  

FutureMRSTillman

I just experienced this earlier and the thought of baby girl crying and there's nothing I can do about it made the waterworks start! :'[ and now I can't stop.

lkobriant

This is what it feels like to me. Except its at the wrong end. I feel it up where the feet are. Hmm...

Eta: meant to quote the practice breathing comment

NewQueen

The placement of it is just to the left of my belly button. He's head down and his feet are up in the right side of my lower ribcage. I think his back or side arm/elbow would be right around my belly button area depending on which way he is facing.

sdegrootmom3

I have something similar but I feel like its more of a jerking or twitching that lasts for a few seconds. I wonder if its the twitching and muscle spasms that babies get alot after their born. I feel mine all over, sometimes up by where her feet are and sometimes down by her head, I just thought it was LO basically having muscle spasms.

mommabmb

The pulsing has been happening to me for a while. Early on, this silly FTM thought it was movement!! Lol

nnewman00

I've experienced the same thing several times. Didn't think it could be hiccups because it was much faster. Felt like a fast heartbeat right up against the wall of my belly. It goes away after several minutes. I'm thinking it's blood pumping through an artery....

Ashesha13

I've felt them and first thing that came to mind was sucking so maybe baby is practicing sucking and has his thumb or hand in his mouth and I'm either feeling his arm or head. It makes me feel better than thinking he may be crying and not know for sure and can't soothe him

sfeebs13

I actually thought it could have been the placenta pulsating.

But I really don't have a clue. It all makes possible sense to me.

NewQueen

slusk13:

I actually thought it could have been the placenta pulsating.

But I really don't have a clue. It all makes possible sense to me.

I'm 100% certain it isn't my placenta which I know is posterior and was 2.3cm from the os at 32 weeks. (Looks like my run-in with previa came in useful for something after all!)