Dr Bernadette Carr answers your questions on pregnancy and brittle nails

I am five months pregnant and have recently started hiccupping after meals, sometimes for up to 20 minutes. Why is this happening and should I be worried?

Hiccuping can be a very common symptom in pregnancy. It can begin at any stage of pregnancy and continue throughout your pregnancy occurring in every trimester. A hiccup happens when the diaphragm contracts suddenly at the same time as a contraction of the larynx (voice box) in the throat, rhythmic contractions will occur causing discomfort and a characteristic hiccup noise.

A number of different things may cause hiccupping during your pregnancy, however hiccups alone are rarely a cause for any concern.