painful lump just above tummy button

[GeorginaA]

Okay, this is a bit embarrassing, but here goes.

I'm 16 weeks pregnant. Ds has been very clingy this week and required a lot of lifting, and I've sensed I've probably overdone it this week anyway as I've been very achy in my stomach so have been trying to put my feet up at every available moment.

Anyway, this evening I noticed a very painful lump just above my tummy button. (This is the gross bit) Exploring with my fingers I was able to push it back in and I can now no longer feel anything unusual. Is this likely to be a hernia?

Am a bit worried now, to be honest. Am I likely to have done this because I was lifting ds too much? Is this going to cause problems requesting a home birth? (I'm sure I read somewhere recently that in serious cases it meant that a caesarian would be recommended). Should I contact my midwife in the morning, or am I just being silly and paranoid?

Posts of "don't be daft, it's normal and you're fine" would be very welcome

Hi Georgina

Does sound like a hernia. Its possible it has always been there but is just more prominent with your pregnancy. I would go see the doctor to get it looked at but pretty sure they will tell you it should settle back down once baby is born.

Take care x

this does sound like it may be a hernia,the fact that you can push it back in and it seems fine now doesn't mean it will stay like that you may find it pops back out if you exert yourself again.Me thinks a check by the doc sounds good.Hernia's are basicallythe protusion of an organ or tissue through a weakness in the abdominal wall.The bulge and discomfort are the first signs,severe pain occurs when the hernia cannot be pushed back in and becomes trapped,this becomes an emergency situation as the blood supply can be altered and gangrene can set in,so see the doc as dont know how being preggars would affect it.

Well, phoned the midwife this morning and she said it does sound like a small hernia but they won't do anything until after I've given birth anyway. She said if I'm worried or if it continues to be painful then I can make an appointment with the doctor to check out (but just phoned up and all bookable appointments are full until Christmas - only phone on the day ones left).

Just feel so incredibly stupid for doing so much lifting to cause this, but then what can you do when your child needs a cuddle?!

A bit scared I'm going to end up having an operation over it after the birth - hate hospitals and I'm trying to avoid them by having a home birth in the first place! Last thing I want to do is go in when I have a newborn around.