Belly Button Query

[Jac]

Paging Eulalia, come in, come in.

Eulalia, just read somewhere that your son had a herniaectomy, what was this for? I'm asking because both my daughters have sticky out belly buttons and told by the GP that they are umbilical hernias and will go, yeah right, one is 4 and the other 2, when? I thought it was to do with the way the umbilical cord was cut, but GP said no. But I reckon it's a genetic thing as my hubby has one too!!

Jac, this might be helpful to you: My youngest son was born with a cyst on his belly button. During the first few days in the maternity ward the doctors were not too concerned, but as the cyst begun to fill with fluid, changing in size from a 5p to a 50p, they decided it might be a bowel or bladder hernia and operated. Luckily it was just a cyst and was removed. He had some follow up appointments up to the age of 1 year to check on how it had healed. I was told that when he was 2 years old I could choose to have an operation to change his 'outy' belly button to an 'inny' one, for cosmetic reasons. I believe they will be contacting me shortly.

That's a difficult decision for you to make Tigermoth. I have never been offered this but my only concern is teasing when they get to school as I remember a girl being teased when I was at school. Kids can be cruel sometimes. They are blissfully unaware at the moment, my 4 year old asks me where my belly button is as I have a "normal" one!

Pierced Belly buttons. The girls in my class want to know if you have to take the ring out if you are pregnant? Can anyone help me with this one? My navel didn't sick out it just got very wide,flat and dark brown!!

My friend kept her naval ring in throughout her pregnancy with no problems. She had a caesarian and wouldn't take the ring out, so they just stuck a piece of tape over it.

Talking about pierced belly buttons. Has anyone had this done? A few months ago when I was going through a bit of a crisis, (I'm only a mum/not a person anymore kind of thing sob sob) I was going to have mine done, but too scared. Does it hurt? Or is this silly, only for teenagers etc?

Hi Star, Ouch, maybe not then. I'd have to flatten my stomach first though! Maybe I'll bleach my hair or something, do something drastic! If I had a tatoo It would be just under the knicker line on my bum, but I'd never get anyone to do it, too embarrasing and again it probably hurts (I hate needles) giving birth no problem but injections and the like I start to faint! Go for it do something naughty.

I had my belly button pierced a couple of years ago, I remember letting out a big "OOOFF" as it was done but it was just a bit sore for a day or two after (keeping it clean is the main thing).
I did have to take the bar out when I got to about 5 months pregnant - had a huge out front bump - because it started to feel like it was pinching all of the time, although the bar didn't seem too tight, I kept it open by putting a fine sleeper earing in it and put the original bar back in about a month after birth. I think my body is just wonky now because since having our baby my piercing is slightly lopsided!!
I keep considering having a small tattoo but I have yet to go through with it. How much does it hurt?

It must be a Mum thing (or perhaps its because I'm 30 in Nov), when I have too much alcohol I tell everyone about how much I want a tattoo, strangly enough the need for a tattoo goes once I'm sober again. I fancy a daisy on my shoulder.
My sister had her belly button pierced, it was yucky for ages.

My daughter is now five and I have waited ages (putting it off with one excuse after another) to get my belly pierced. I finally had it done early this year and compared to childbirth, I've got to say it was a doddle! Helps if you take someone along with you for moral support etc, but I found it so painless that I actually enjoyed it to the point where I couldn't wait to have more done. (For the moment ears, nose & belly will do!) The piercing chap sprayed something very cold onto the area, told me that it would be the most painful part of the piercing ( it was just a minor sting) and as it became numb, I didn't feel the needle going through but it was strange to see it going through the skin with no pain. I know people have done it without anaesthetic but if you're squeamish, like me, do it the easy way and be happy that you're not put off having further piercings if so desired! I had the fear of exposing my horrendous stretch marks but am learning to live with them and so long as they stay below the hipster line I'm alright. In this day and age we should be able to where what we like and be able to be proud of the fact that if we are brave enough to have children we should not be shy about a few flaws and blemishes that only petty people would be offended by. Good Luck to all the body art crazy mothers.

Beanie, I'm still thinking about it. Trouble is I have to do it on the spur of the moment. What sort of place did you have it done?? I've seen it at beauty type places, but some have been endorsed by the local council. I would have general anaeshetic if I could, I'm crap with needles etc. I would have to warn them that I may require a lie down for about 20 mins!!

I'm chilling out right now with a Bacardi Breezer and if someone was around now, I'd do it.

I was in a place today where they did piercing, not sure about belly button but a little boy approx 4 was having his ear pierced! I politely smiled but was really thinking yuk! Sorry, but I could not think this was right!

What age would anyone let their kids have their ears pierced?? I was 11 but only because someone had given me a pair of pierced earings for Christmas, I was really pleased, mum couldn't say no!

Jac I had to wait until I was 12 to get my ears 'done', I don't think I'll hold out that long with my daughter. I'll wait and see how old she is when she asks, maybe 7 or 8 when is is old enough to know that it is important to look after them.

I had a little tattoo done last year. A chinese symbol on my bum, just below the knicker line. I
felt it being done, but it wasn't painful. It felt like a slight scraping of a needle on your skin. For a couple of days after it is very,very slightly tender. You have to keep it dry for a few days, (ie don't soak in the bath) smother it in cream, that's it, not so bad. I've heard it is quite painful on your ankle. (Not so 'fatty' as your bum !) When my 2 yr old sees my tattoo, she takes a sharp intake of breath, between her teeth, and says "sore mummy"
I would also like my belly done, we'll have to
wait and see about that one though.

I took my belly button ring out when I was pregnant, didnt seem right having it there somehow. Im going to have it done again soon. If you are considering it make sure you go somewhere recommended. My first was so painful, no numbing and not fitted correctly (you need to be standing to get correct fit and all bars are different sizes) both my friend and I took ours out after a few weeks. This lady had certificates on the wall etc and was in a beauty clinic which closed down before we could go and complain (apparently you should have a ring in to start then change to a bar, she put in a bar). The second time no problems, no pain no pus and was comfortable. The place I had it done also changed it for a bar the first time. Ive also got a tatoo on my shoulder which didnt hurt, just stung, im going to have another one of those too. Im coming up to 34 and dont feel too old, my mum is going to have a tatoo. Have it all done its good fun. Not too sure about piercings that you cant see though!!

Oh God - and I thought I was the only one who was hankering after a tattoo and a belly piercing!! Unfortunately, I too need to firm the old belly up a bit!

Hi all, well I've done it, had my belly pierced. I'm still feeling a little queasy, but that's just me. I doesn't hurt as anasthetic spray was used.

Joe, does it close up if you don't keep anything in it then?? Obviously while it's healing you keep it in.

Thanks for everyones comments regarding this matter.

Jac - I think mine has closed up, I have'nt tried to put my ring back in, maybe I'll try it. My friends closed, I'll let you know. Does your other half like it, men seem to, my husband cant wait for mine to be back in. It looks good when you can change them over with ones that match your clothes and a bit of fake tan (as I cant see us getting a natural tan in the UK this year).

Hi Joe, I think hubby likes it, he just keeps laughing coz he can't believe I did it, as I said earlier I'm not too good being fiddled about with if you know what I mean! I have to bathe it for 8 weeks in witch hazel, stings a bit but ok, and then I can change it over. I haven't shown it to my daughters yet, the 4 year old will love it, she loves pretty things. But I'm too scared to tell my Nana, she doesn't even like me having my hair highlighted!

Joe when did you last have it done? During my early teenage years I had my ears pierced 3 times, the 1st 'normal' one is ok, so is 2nd, but third is almost closed up, not that I'm bothered though!

Hi Jac, I had mine done nearly 2 years ago now, and it has closed up. I think I'll have it when I get back from holiday next month (I dont really want to swim with it new just in case). I had my ears done 3 times too while in my teens, the thirds have closed but only use one. So when are you having a tattoo???

I keep thinking of getting a tattoo but haven't had the guts to go for it yet, I have 3 reasons for not getting it done,

1. Can't get one done because I donate blood - this reason doesn't apply any more because of taking medication for an overactive thyroid, I have to be free of the medication for 2 years before I can donate again.
2. Don't know what design and where
3. How do I know the place is reputable?

At the moment I'm thinking I'll have it done before my 35th birthday (this year), the pain doesn't bother me, so has anyone got any ideas for designs?

No I wont be having a tatoo. Not that bothered about it. Am just happy with my belly for now!

Wel done Jac for the belly piercing. So it wasn't that bad was it ?! I forgot all about coming back to this site as I never think anyone would reply anyway, but it's fascinating to see what people have been up to! Just to remind you that belly piercings can take up to a year to heal and regular cleaning is essential, although after the first month i really slackened and now do it when I can be bothered! Does get a little stuck when i need to turn the ring, and (dare I say it!) gets crusty where stuffs (soap etc) gets in the side of the ring. I think I will get a bar soon as I'm bored with a ring and I'm hoping it will look more attractive as well as not letting 'bits' in. My advice is to get out in the sunshine we're getting right now and make the most of the sun's healing powers!