Pregnancy and an Umbilical Hernia: Part 2
We were leaving earlier than scheduled from a trip with our kids. I was sad that they were disappointed but was relieved that my doctor’s nurse was able to squeeze me in for an appointment on my doctor’s booked schedule. I was 9 weeks pregnant with my third child and experiencing incredible pain around my belly button.
He took one look at the area on my stomach that was causing me the pain and said, “you have an umbilical hernia!” As I laid down on the exam table and he pressed on that area of my stomach, I winced from the pain as tears rolled down the sides of my face. The growing that my belly did when I was pregnant with my children, caused the hernia. He told me that umbilical hernias were common but the pain that I was experiencing was not. He gave me a referral to a general surgeon and helped me to get an appointment for the next morning.
The medical definition for umbilical hernia is “An umbilical hernia is an outward bulging (protrusion) of the abdominal lining or part of the abdominal organ(s) through the area around the belly button.” Typically, umbilical hernias do not cause pain. I was experiencing pain because I had tissue that had become strangulated.
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Hi,
I am glad to hear everything worked out. I am 10 weeks pregnant with my third child and had a similar experience. I too, have an umbilical hernia and am concerned on what to expect during the rest of my pregnancy. Did you experience pain as you grew bigger? Did the hernia worsen as you got further along? Was there anything that you did that helped prevent surgery while pregnant? Were you able to have a vaginal birth? After surgery for the repair, were you able to breast feed, how was the recovery while you looked after three little ones? Sorry about all the questions, I'm just looking for some info that might shed some light on all my worries!
I am sorry to hear that you are going through that too. I was nine weeks pregnant with my 3rd baby when I experinced the horrible pain. It is apparently not that common but I had tissue that had gotten trapped and that was causing the pain. The doctor hoped to not have to operate until after I had the baby and luckily, that is just what happened. My general surgeon basicly put me on bed rest (he didn't want me lifting, exercising or doing anything that could make that strangulation worse during that 9-12 weeks. After that, I was fine. I did have an easy vaginal birth. I had the surgery done when my baby was 2 months old. (I don't plan on having any more children.) I didn't breastfeed that day after the surgery because of the anthesthesia. (And it was AWFUL to not be able to have water after midnight the day before the surgery. My baby was still eating every few hours and it made me very thirsty.) I had pumped milk saved for him that day. I still needed to pump but I just through it away. I was breastfeeding normally by the next day. As far as the recovery, I was lucky to have my Mom in town to help me. I was sore in that area for several days (It also became very bruised which I was told is normal.) and was restricted to lifting only the baby and no driving as long as I was taking the pain pills. (Which I didn't take for more that one day anyway.) Hope that answers some of your questions. Please contact me if you have any more and don't forget to double check with your doctor since everyone's situation can be different. Good luck!
thnx i also have hernia n im 4 weeks pregnent
i was very worried bt nw i am hopeful
If you are expereincing any pain, contact your doctor right away. I had noticed during my second pregnancy that I had soreness when I pressed on my belly button but by the third pregnancy, I could actually feel a hole under my skin. If there is a small opening under the skin, it is common to to have tissue poke out that opening. (It looked like I had 2 outie belly buttons by the end of my third pregnancy.) Usually, you can push is back in and it will not be painful. Still, be sure to talk to your doctor about it at your next appointment. And again, if you have pain, contact your doctor right away. Good luck and congratulations on your pregnancy!
I had an Umbilical Hernia repair over 3 years ago and I'm 6 months pregnate was wondering if any one has had any complications during or after delivery with the repair of the hernia (me they placed a patch and sewed it to my abdomen wall)?