Does a hernia need medical care?

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I have what I think may be an umbilical hernia, I noticed it after the birth of my second child 3 years ago. As it was just a lump with no pain, I chose to ignore it.

Fast forward to yesterday, I noticed a lump above and slightly to the side of my belly button which feels connected to the one in my belly button, as though it has perhaps grown. It was incredibly sore to touch and I couldn't straighten my torso without agonising pain. (I did do a workout which included crunches earlier in the day and also tmi but had a bad case of constipation in the evening so unsure whether either of these triggered it?) I took painkillers and went to sleep.

This morning, I can feel the lumps in the same areas but no pain like last night, slight tenderness above my belly button but that's it. DH is insistent that I see a dr but as it's no longer painful, I don't want to waste anyone's time. I've said I'll wait until Monday and if there's still pain, I will try to get myself seen but if the pain doesn't return, I don't feel inclined to go as from what I've seen online, it seems to be a 'watch and wait' situation.

Any advice would be great, I do have a tendency to avoid medical care for myself but genuinely don't see the need if there's no pain anymore. I don't however want to make a stupid decision by not going!

Yes, get it looked at.

I had an inguinal hernia that I stupidly ignored for about three years. It strangulated last year and I almost died. What should have been a simple day case if I had not ignored it, turned into a 4 hour emergency operation having bowel removed as it was gangrenous. On top of that I had sepsis.

Get it checked out and yourself on the list to have it repaired, it would just be a simple day case operation.

@HelpMeGetThrough I'm so sorry you went through that, it must have been so scary.

I hadn't considered that something like that could happen. I'll try to get an appointment on Monday but won't hold my breath, the appointments are almost impossible to get!

Yes you must get it looked at and be careful what you do until it's treated.

Umbilical hernias are far less likely to be problematic in terms of strangulation / incarceration etc and tend to only contain fat. If it’s not tender, no redness and you can push the lump back in there is probably no need to seek urgent advice

It was scary, but what I’ll never forget is the pain, I have never experienced anything like it, the only thing that helped was Fentanyl, Morphine was like water, it did nothing. I can’t remember much in the end, as I was pretty much passed out.

Waking up with a load of tubes and machines connected up was weird.

The Olive Turtle is spot on with her advice. I am a surgeon and previously worked in a hernia service.
I think you do need to see someone but if the pain has gone and you can easily push it back in then you can make a routine appointment with your GP. Try doing it lying down with a relaxed tummy .
You should avoid excessive straining so avoid the abdominal crunches and take a laxative to avoid straining to pass a bowel motion.