Worried - Umbilical Hernia - does it need treatment?

[Snugs]

Just wondering if anyone can help me with this one.

My ds developed a small umbilical hernia at about 5 wks old. My GP & midwife both said it was fine and not to worry. However over time it has grown quite large. Each time I mention it to GP he only seems concerned as to if it will push back in easily (it does) and says it can be treated cosmetically at about 4 yrs old if need be.

My worry is that every time ds cries (doing a lot right now - teething!) it not only sticks out terribly but goes blue and rigid. It then wont push back in again until he has completed relaxed. Trouble is he never cries at the GP's surgery so the doc only ever sees it in the relaxed state. I get the feeling he thinks 'paranoid mum' (which I probably am).

Does anyone have any experience of this and should I be concerned and push this further with the GP?

Thanks

Oops - sorry forgot to mention - he is now nearly 9 mths old.

snugs, one of my sons was born with an unbilical hernia and at two weeks old he had to undergo an exploratory operation. The hernia was getting bigger (from the size of a 5p to at least the size of a 50p) and gradually filling up with fluid. The doctors thought the hernia might be linked to his bladder or bowel. Apparently this is very, very rare and diagnosis is therefore beyond the scope of many GPs.

Happily my son had just a simple umbilical hernia and it was easily removed.

I was amazed how many medical people were needed to determine what to do with my baby son. The sheer fact that the hernia had grown was enough for it to be taken seriously. We were not allowed home from the maternity ward, but had to go straight to the paediatric department where my son's condition was monitored for a week before they operated on him.

From this experience, I would say you need a second opinion, especially as your son's hernia is growing. If I were you, I'd press the GP for a referral.

Hi Snugs. I read your posting with interest because I was going to resurrect an old thread about hernias, only to find it had morphed into one about navel piercing (as Mumsnet threads are wont to do nowadays)! My daughter's had a hernia since she was small - I didn't really notice it, but my MIL suggested I mention it to the doctor next time we went. We got a referral to hospital when she was a year old and they said that it would need surgery when she was 2+, mainly for cosmetic reasons, but also because it may cause problems when she was pregnant herself. I took her to the hospital again just after her 2nd birthday, and they said it hadn't gone away and would need surgery at some point. We could have put her on a waiting list now, but I chose to put it off for another year, as I have a feeling it would be safer the older she is (though I've no idea if this has any scientific basis.) Does anyone else have any experience of this operation?

Snugs - I guess the GP thinks your ds is a bit young for surgery and if the hernia isn't causing pain or complications then it could be left. My son had a hernia - slightly different as it was in his gut wall. This was considered necessary to operate as they can burst and can cause serious complications. After it was first diagnosed he had it removed within a month. He was 16 months at the time and left hospital within 5 hours of the operation and was running about by the next day. If you really think the hernia is bothering him then I'd see the GP again but if you can push it in and it doesn't hurt then I'd guess it is not that and just the teething. However I would think that he'd be able to get it operated before age 4 that seems a long time to wait and he'd be well aware of it before then.

Hi Snugs. My son had an umbilical hernia when he was only weeks old which my then doctor said would "go away" in time. We moved when he was about 12 months old and the new doctors referred him to the local hospital. He was monitored over time (although it never caused him any problems) and last year he was finally operated on (aged nearly 4). He was absolutely fine after the op although he had a big plaster that had to be changed the next day by the District Nurse which he wasn't too keen on having removed. No after- effects or anything.

It could be that because it is a weak spot, when your ds is crying it is reflected there but not actually causing him any discomfort. (Not very good English but I am sure you will realise what I mean!).

As Eulalia said, our ds was completely back to normal the next day, running around and doing everything he shouldn't. Perhaps you could suggest a referral to the local hospital and let the 'specialist' decide? Good luck and let us know how you get on.

My dd developed an umbilical hernia at 2 weeks of age. She had a bad cough and cold from birth but, from the time she was born until she was about 2 weeks old, she couldn't actually cough. When she eventually learnt how to cough, the coughing was so violent, she caused herself an umbilical hernia. I took her to the doctors and the doctor said not to worry - the hernia would normally correct itself within 18 months. The only thing the doctor said was that, every time I changed the baby's nappy, I had to check to make sure that it could be pushed in - if it couldn't at any time, it would mean it had twisted and she would need emergency surgery. This worried me slightly (to say the least) but the doctor said that in 18 years of practicing, he had only ever seen one case what needed emergency surgery.

My dd is now 4 months old and her belly button seems to have reverted back to normal.

Snugs, I know what you say about every time your ds cries the hernia sticks out more and goes rigid. I don't think this is a problem, the only problem is when it cannot be pushed back in when your baby is relaxed.

Thanks for your comments ladies.

Took ds to GP yesterday - saw a different GP to normal (group practice). She reckons it is nothing to worry about but is referring him to a specialist as a precaution - I didn't have to ask.

It is difficult to tell if it is causing him any pain - the hernia is more distended when he is crying so it's a bit of a chicken & egg situation....is the hernia causing the crying or the crying causing the hernia!

Don't know how long it will be b4 we see the specialist so will probably report back in about a year.

Thanks again