Belly button popping, help!

[Praxithea]

I’m currently 24 weeks pregnant and for the last few weeks the skin around my belly button has been getting sore and irritated no matter what I do - I’ve tried creams and they help with the itching to an extent but not for long! I’ve always had a fairly shallow belly button but it’s suddenly getting so stretched and wonky that it’s now more of a weird oval shape and has been visibly flatter every day. I absolutely won’t be able to cope if it pops out, it’s already at the point where if I laugh it moves (I could honestly gag, I hate the way that it looks and feels) :( I can’t imagine how it will feel brushing against my clothes if it pops out and I’m not sure if it will still be sore! I’ve tried poking it back to see if this helps but to no avail. Does anyone have any tips they used to stop theirs from popping out and becoming horrendous as well as to stop the sore flaky feeling I have? Thanks 🙏

You can't help it!! Its just something that is going to happen, it will go back. You could pop a plaster over it to help with the rubbing against your clothes. I always used and recommend bio-oil to soothe my skin.

I hate anything or anyone touching my belly button, including myself, and mine popped out a while ago (I’m 34 weeks) and really doesn’t bother me.

I can’t feel it rubbing against my clothes etc, can see it when I wear tight tops / dresses but I don’t even notice it now. Doubt you’ll be able to stop it popping out so just try not to think about it / look at it / touch it etc!

ugh I hate belly buttons too. I don't remember being too grossed out by it last pregnancy but the umbilical cord slowly rotting away on the baby and it being a bit scabby 😷 euw

Mine just flattened rather than popped as such. Not sure if that helps.

Mine didn't pop out completely, just popped temporarily if I laughed. If you're uncomfortable I'd put a dressing over it to stop it rubbing. The itching is annoying, I used bio oil multiple times a day to get relief and drinking lots of water helps too but ultimately it'll be down to the elasticity of your skin, some people's will be more elastic than others.

Thanks all for the replies - I had to post something about it as I’m today at the point where if I eat or sit down it’s almost an outie. It’s getting mr down because normal “innie” belly buttons aren’t great but having mine turn inside out and appear plus it touching things is turning my stomach!🫤 I’m really really hoping it just flattens as others have mentioned but not sure what’s in store as I’m exactly 24 weeks today - not sure if there’s worse to come?! I’ve instructed husband to get some bio oil to see if it helps the itchy feeling. Can I ask when everyone else’s popped?