Bulge over belly button ....

[scarylooker]

I've just noticed this over the last couple of weeks - quite a pronounced soft fleshy bulge when standing. I had quite a bad separation of my tummy muscles after dc1, but lots of physio and managed to get it back pretty close (have had 2 more dc since with no problems). Have tried having a feel when lying down and it still feels quite close together when I tense the muscles.

I recently started training for a marathon which is involving lots of hard surface running - that's the only difference I can think of recently. I'm not overweight and pretty fit. It doesn't hurt. Could it be a hernia?

Yes it could be, (I'm having one operated on tomorrow) I'd go and get it checked, so you can get it sorted.(Mine is more visible when standing as well)

Thanks Kurri, does yours hurt? My DH had one (groin) and his was really achy and strainy - mine doesn't feel like that, though I sort of feel it stretching when I pick something up or cough.

Good luck for tomorrow!

Mine feels a bit 'draggy' and pully if that makes sense. Mine's just above a bikini line abdom. scar - and the muscles just broke down. Yes to stretching when I cough - not really painful though. Thanks - am getting slightly nervy now Hope yours gets sorted soon

Sounds like an umbilical hernia. My DH had one of these a few years ago. Didn't cause him any pain but he had a little op to sew it up (tiny scar below his belly button barely visible now) as the Docs said it can be a problem if they become strangulated.

Does sound like a hernia. Have you ever had laparoscopic surgery? Sometimes you can get a hernia where the incision was made.

My last baby was by csection, but the scar for that is significantly lower - don't think that helped the muscles generally though!

Just shouted at ds1 to go to bed and felt it kind of pulling if that makes sense?

I've got one of these (according to doc) but in a weird place -- in lower left-hand abdomen. Mine feels pully and draggy, but no pain - even when the Doc pushed on it. Mine is hard, and easier to feel when I'm standing up than lying down.

I was just coming here to post a terrified "Is this definitely a hernia or something terifying??" thread when I saw this one!

I've had 2 c-sections, and recently have been going nuts on the rowing machine, rowing for an hour five times a week.

beautiful - that is where mine is lower left abdom. above scar - about the size of an orange/tennis ball

I went to doc's about mine in july, had consultant appointment end of sept. and having op tomorrow. - One day procedure done through laparoscopy - in case thats of interest to anyone wondering about treatment. I think they generally operate, I've been told roughly 4 weeks recovery (i.e. before I can do anything heavy). But I think you should always get them checked out rather than ignore.

Kurri - hope it goes well today! I'm sending you positive/brave thoughts. :)

Mine is miles up from my scar - it's where the liver would be, but on the left side instead of the right.

Had mine fixed 2 weeks ago, and am now back to full health. Couldn't move much the day after, then improved from then on. They don't get better by themselves so see a doctor. I just had a local as am irrationally scared of a general anaesthetic. I was in and out in 4 hours tops. Afterwards it feels like you've done 500 situps the night before, just don't lift anything which needs 2 hands. HTH

An op under local? You've made my day - I dread having a general (actually puts me off going to the GP about it).

Spin, my gap was a handwidth! About 4 inches. Only picked up because it caused me dreadful back problems. I was told to do pilates after my physio finished (if only I'd listened) - you might find that helpful?

Thanks for good wishes - I am back in one piece. Three incisions in my belly, and a bit sore as you would expect, but glad I've had it done. Good luck to everyone else in getting theirs sorted, - very encouraging to hear yours has healed so well B52s