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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

Original poster

Anyone else got a white patch under their belly button?

13 replies

chelle85 · 02/07/2017 18:42

As above really...I have a patch of milk white skin under my belly button about an inch and a half wide and three inches or so long. I feel super stretched and like I am going to rip any minute and my belly button is currently trying its best to become an outy. I'm currently 33+4

OP posts:
sadmum2017 · 02/07/2017 18:45

It may not be the same thing, but I noticed small patches of white skin inside my belly button that I hadn't noticed before. I.e as my belly grew and my navel got pushed out I noticed more of the skin inside. Not much help but it never bothered me and now I can't see it as everything has gone back to normal.

Original poster
chelle85 · 02/07/2017 19:20

This is quite a big patch (excuse the dodgy pic and random spot!)
Just never seen anything like it on bump pictures before even when peoples belly buttons have popped out

OP posts:
sadmum2017 · 02/07/2017 20:05

Maybe mention it at next midwife appointment? You've maybe always had a small area of pale skin and it's now stretched much bigger.

Original poster
chelle85 · 02/07/2017 21:58

It was there at my last appt and midwife didn't say anything when measuring my bump but it has got bigger in last 2 weeks so will ask about it this time. Never had a white patch there before so it is just bizarre.

OP posts:
hopsalong · 02/07/2017 21:59

I had this in second pregnancy and couldn't find out what it was. My baby is now two months. I think in retrospect that it's diastasis recti below the navel -- a separation of the ab muscles. I had it very badly after the birth but is already down to two fingers. Don't think serious anyway!

Original poster
chelle85 · 02/07/2017 22:21

Was a bit worried about diastasis hopsalong. I have been trying so hard to avoid it but bump is very much all in the front so baby has to go somewhere. Hoping it isn't too bad as I still feel like I can feel the muscles pretty close together when I tense apart from right at my belly button where it feels a bit wider. So hard to tell at this stage though

How wide was your diastasis after birth? I am hoping it heals pretty quick if that is what it is

OP posts:
sadmum2017 · 03/07/2017 04:40

I also had diastasis and physio said she could get her fist into it a week post birth. My belly domed up when I engaged abs. At 8 weeks I had follow up and there was a very small gap left (I hadn't done any exercises except pelvic floor). I still have some work to do before I'm allowed to do any abdominal exercise but it is slowly resolving.

hopsalong · 03/07/2017 07:07

I couldn't do any exercises for six weeks because I had a c-section but now at8 weeks I have just started Pilates. When I was pregnant I was told by a physiotherapist (whom I was seeing for an unrelated issue) that I had a "massive" diastasis. After birth I could fit more than four fingers into it. And it looked so bad (organs protruding basically) that the GP thought I had a hernia!

Now it is down to about 1 1/2, so good progress, and stomach actually flat, just a little bit deflated looking in centre. The white mark has gone. When I lie down it is concave now (earlier it was like a pointy lump). So think prognosis is good -- I was devastated by how it looked immediately after birth, though. My first pregnancy had nothing like it.

hopsalong · 03/07/2017 07:09

PS I think mine might have been worsened by doing pregnancy yoga this time -- all that cat and cow where your stomach is just hanging downwards, and I would recommend avoiding those positions if you think you have one!

Original poster
chelle85 · 03/07/2017 07:53

Good to hear stories of the seperation repairing. I am a very active person and want to be able to get back to my normal exercise as soon as possible. I have avoided all abdominal exercises that increase pressure since about 8 weeks and just focused on TVA exercises but clearly this isn't working. Need to figure out how to limit further damage in these last 6 weeks when baby is growing super fast!

OP posts:
LubaBubRub · 03/07/2017 08:23

I'm 33 today, and first time Mum, so I don't know if it's right or not, but my belly button looks exactly the same. I hadn't seen the inside of it for decades previously, so I'm putting it down to weird skintone (no one has mentioned it at scans or midwife appointments).
Rather more weirded out by 'reverse tan' on boobs as they're so full of blood - in recent hot weather they looked like Stilton...

Bruceel55 · 28/08/2020 12:56

Hi!!! I know this post is 3 years ago but I have the same thing!! Did you find out what it was? Everything okay with baby and mom? Thank you!

Mk012724 · 01/08/2025 01:48

I have the same thing now. Anyone from this original post get any insight??

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