Pregnancy brings with is several new things that you have never experienced before, some wonderful and some not so wonderful. These changes don't just happen in the first trimester of pregnancy, but they are continuous throughout the entire nine months. During your third trimester you will experience some things that are pretty interesting, and likely do not expect if you are a first time mom. This article will discuss two of the interesting things that you may experience in your third trimester of pregnancy. 

Braxton-Hicks Contractions

Braxton-Hicks contractions are contractions that harden your uterus, and make your stomach feel very hard all over. Thankfully, these contractions to do no cause pain like a normal contraction, but they can make certain tasks more difficult. For example, if you get a Braxton-Hicks contraction while you are running or doing some other form of cardio, you will likely need to slow down or even stop, because it will make it difficult to breathe and will inhibit your movement. These contractions can be brought on by a variety of things like a full bladder, sex, and dehydration, or they may just happen, so it is hard to prepare for them. The best thing that you can do when they occur is to slow down and breathe deeply until they pass. 

Baby Hiccups 

What may at first feel like consistent moves from your baby every ten seconds or so are actually hiccups. You will generally begin feeling your baby's hiccups around the third trimester as she gets larger, and you may even be able to see your stomach move up and down when your baby is hiccuping. Your baby may hiccup for a variety of reasons, including when she is learning to contract her diaphragm, when her suckle reflex is developing, or if her umbilical cord is wrapped around her neck. The last example is much more rare than the others, and your baby will generally have hiccups quite often if this is the case. Thankfully, this can be seen on an ultrasound and closely monitored to make sure that your baby is not in any distress. 

Braxton-Hicks and baby hiccups are perhaps not what you expected in your third trimester of pregnancy, but they are very normal, and are simply part of the process of growing a sweet baby. For more information about what to expect, visit a women's clinic like Mile High OB GYN.