It is common that the belly button popping out in women during pregnancy. But sometimes this popping out of the navel during pregnancy or after childbirth can indicate a condition known as a hernia.
A hernia happens when a section of your intestine or other tissue pushes through a weakened layer of muscle or abdominal wall. Most of the hernias in women are external, meaning that they are seen or felt as bulges under the skin. This most commonly occurs in the lower abdomen or groin area.
Pregnant women have an increased risk of umbilical hernias which affect the navel or belly button – says hernia treatment experts. Usually, hernias are removed after delivery, but in some cases, they might require emergency treatment. Gut care clinic, in this article, helps you find out more about causes, symptoms, and how umbilical hernia during pregnancy is treated.
Causes of Umbilical hernias during pregnancy
When you are pregnant, a growing belly puts excessive pressure on your stomach and the pelvic area. In addition to this, as the muscles stretch during pregnancy the abdominal wall also becomes thinner and weaker which can result in an umbilical hernia.
The tiny womb of women in their second trimester of pregnancy enlarges up like a balloon. During this enlargement, the womb swells up, and the intestines push to the upper and back parts of your stomach that cause a hernia.
Other possible causes of umbilical hernia in pregnancy include:
- Multiple pregnancies
- The weakening of core muscles
- Being overweight
- Long hours of labor
- Excessive straining
- Collection of fluid in the abdominal cavity
Symptoms of an umbilical hernia during pregnancy
An umbilical hernia in pregnancy may have a bulge around your navel or belly button.
Visit the best hernia treatment doctors in Bangalore if you experience any of the following additional symptoms.
- Extreme pain or tenderness around the belly button
- Pressure near or around the stomach
- Repeated episodes of vomiting
- Constipation and nausea, especially with severe hernias
Can an umbilical hernia during pregnancy hurt a baby?
A hernia during pregnancy won’t directly hurt a baby, inside your uterus, so a small hole in your abdominal wall has no harmful effects on you.
However, if the condition is affecting your ability to eat, talk to hernia experts and make sure you’re getting the proper nutrition, as your baby needs lots of nutrients to grow.
How umbilical hernia during pregnancy is treated?
A hernia that develops in pregnant women is usually treated after childbirth. So, after pregnancy, a hernia treatment doctor repairs a hernia with surgery. However, repairing your hernia without surgery is also possible.
Depending on the condition, the doctor recommends treatment for curing the hernia.
- Surgical treatment for an umbilical hernia during pregnancy
If your hernia is large or it has become strangulated, then surgery is the only way to repair it. The surgical treatment for hernia involves putting the protruded tissue back to its location and then closing the opening.
This can be in two ways – open surgery and laparoscopic surgery. In the open method, a large incision is made and then the organ is pushed back. While with the laparoscopic hernia repair, the organ is put back through small incisions with the help of a laparoscope.
- Nonsurgical treatment for curing a hernia while pregnant
Doctors prescribe regular exercises like aerobics and stretching rather than going for surgery. One can try breathing exercises like yoga, cycling, and meditation to strengthen the abdominal muscles.
However, make sure that you avoid exercises that put extra pressure on the abdomen and pelvic muscles. Maintain correct posture and also learn stress-free techniques. Stop wearing high heels as it puts pressure on the lower abdomen muscles and increases the chances of getting an umbilical hernia.
For people suffering from constipation, it is important that they don’t strain excessively as this can put pressure on the hernia and make the condition worse. Therefore, eating fiber-rich foods and drinking lots of water helps you.
If you are looking for hernia treatment after childbirth, Gut care provides the most effective hernia repair. Book an appointment right away!
