has anyone else had an umbilical hernia in pregnancy and did it get much worse in 3rd trimester?

[becciandbump]

Hi,

I was just wondering if anyone has had an umbilical hernia in pregnancy and can reassure me?

Every time I have seen gp he has seemed not bothered by it, he said it wouldn't get bigger as I grew but it has definately got bigger in 2nd trimester and is a little painful. I'm avoiding heavy lifting at work and wearing a tubigrip all day. It sits flat when I lie down but I work on my feet all day and it protrudes in standing.

Today it looks a little bluish in colour which is what I'm worried about. Ive had a bit of a heavy day at work so hoping it will ease with my weeks holiday next week. I just worry that the change in colour is the start of it getting worse. Ive read that If it strangulated it would be hard and very painful and Id be nauseous none of which I am but I am still fearing it strangulating as I get bigger and have awful thoughts about needing surgery and them damaging my womb in surgery! I know I'm probably overly worrying but I just wondered if anyone had had one and if they could tell me if it remained a similar size or got much bigger. Many thanks
(Sorry for long post)

[hopeful31yrs]

The hernia may get bigger as its under tension with your growing uterus I'm afraid - don't know why your GP advised you it wouldn't. As long as it reduces when you lie down or put pressure on it I wouldn't worry. You should seek help if it is painful and doesn't go back in or you start vomiting/ have problems going to toilet.

No surgeon is going to repair this with your tissues being stretched at the moment and the hormones causing tissue relaxation. However if needed it would be repaired in an emergency but the risks are it may recur

I would have thought the risks of strangulation are low as the uterus is so large it'll be pushing all other organs away from the neck of the hernia and will block it so nothing can poke out. In the same way it'll be hard to miss the uterus when repairing this if it needed it in an emergency - also most hernias are repaired without having to open the abdomen itself.

[becciandbump]

Thanks I didn't believe him when he said it wouldn't change size. It is tender but not what I would call pain. I struggle with constipation so trying to keep it from getting too bad as it's uncomfortable straining. I'll keep an eye on it and will definitely go back if I get abdo pain or nausea x

[chocolatefudgecake157]

Hi

I am 22 weeks pregnant with second baby and have developed a hernia. It is sore and I'm starting to panic about how I will cope for the next 3 months, my DS is heavy and likes to be picked up lots (19 months).

The doctor didn't say much. I was just wondering how you are getting on?

[dewdrop85]

Hi OP

How are you getting on?
I really need some advice or reassurance.
I'm currently 22 weeks exactly and have had, what I believe is, an umbilical or epicgastric hernia (it's just below my boobs/above my belly button) for the last 4 or 5 weeks. Same as you, there's nothing there when I lay flat it's just reallly soft but when I stand it protrudes and gets worse as the day goes on and especially when I eat. It's got to the point where I darent eat a proper meal as I'm left uncomfortable, in pain and with a lump the size of a golf ball on my abdomen that sticks out further than my baby bump... so living on small bowls of cereals and side plates of salads :(
I feel deformed and I'm so conscious of it.
I've seen the gp who didn't seem interested, the midwife looked at me like I was crazy and my obs consultant told me to see a gp but I feel like no ones listening. I'm in agony by the end of the day and cry often as I'm so fed up.

Sorry for the drawn out post, I just can't seem to find any helpful information on how to reduce the discomfort and I'm at my wits end