Umbilical hernia

Devonshiremom · 2023-10-25T19:11:16+00:00

Hi, sorry in advance for the long post! I am 6 months postpartum and had an umbilical hernia in pregnancy. GP said they wouldn’t operate while pregnant so didn’t make onwards referral. Recently I’ve been having worsening bowel problems - loose bowels, severe wind and some aching in my belly button. I put it down to breastfeeding and my uterus contracting. Yesterday I was out with my family for a walk and experienced severe pain in my middle, I got to the public toilets which were quite dark so couldn’t see much but my belly button felt really hard and I pushed the hernia back inside - the pain then went. I saw GP today and she examined me, says she doesn’t think I will qualify for an onwards referral as doesn’t think I will meet the criteria for an op. I managed to get her to refer me anyway but she says I’d be at the bottom of the waiting list, wouldn’t tell me now long it would take. I’m now waiting to see if the consultant will accept my referral! She basically said if I get severe pain again to go to A&E. Am I expecting too much to be referred to a consultant? Anyone have any idea how long the wait could be? Also am I wrong thinking my bowel is affected by the hernia?

Original poster

Devonshiremom · 26/10/2023 09:43

Anyone?

OP posts:

Fluffybagel · 01/11/2023 11:28

I’ve just been diagnosed with an umbilical hernia (from previous surgery) the GP hasn’t referred me as “it’s really tiny” but it causes me significant pain; I’m currently on Omeprazole for 8 weeks to help (which it does mask the symptoms) but I do not want to just be on medication!

Original poster

Devonshiremom · 07/11/2023 20:25

Fluffybagel · 01/11/2023 11:28

I’ve just been diagnosed with an umbilical hernia (from previous surgery) the GP hasn’t referred me as “it’s really tiny” but it causes me significant pain; I’m currently on Omeprazole for 8 weeks to help (which it does mask the symptoms) but I do not want to just be on medication!

Hi, sorry just seen your reply. I've not heard if I've been referred yet. Why did they put you on Omeprazole?

OP posts:

Fluffybagel · 25/11/2023 12:32

To see if it helps the burning pain. I think it was acid that was irritating the hernia. I’ve since been referred and am getting surgery in the new year! I just hope I can eat over Xmas at the prescription will run out haha.

sleepplease1 · 29/11/2023 20:24

Best of lucky Fluffybagel hope it helps with the pain

KCSIE · 09/12/2023 19:53

I got put on the referral list for umbilical hernia at my 8w postnatal mother/baby GP checkup earlier this year. I was told the wait time here in my NHS trust is 6months minimum, which I'm over, now.

Mine is the size of a golf ball and sticks out all the time, so much worse by the end of the day after a day's eating, or these days - after any eating!

I first raised it in 2020 (yes, you read that correctly) on the postnatal recovery ward after the birth of my first child. The ward doctor asked me "does it feel like a hernia?" Erm....no idea, it feels painful and not birth related. He told me I didn't know my body and it was heartburn, said I could waste his time and be put on Omeprazol to get me off the ward but I'll have to wait until he can do the paperwork many hours later (I'd already been in for a week), or I could be discharged and buy myself Gaviscon. I've had heartburn before, it wasn't heartburn. I didn't wait for Omeprazol or buy myself Gaviscon.

My GP dismissed me then too.

I then got pregnant and miscarried multiple times and with each pregnancy/miscarriage it got bigger and more obvious.

Then I got pregnant with my second child and the MW kept an eye on it as did my sonographer at scans where my GP wouldn't entertain it as a hernia.

Fast forward to baby birth, all fine, walk into my 8w postnatal appt and the first thing the (not my usual) GP said was "I see through your clothing you have a hernia. I'll refer you to the specialist..." I've been told not to lift anything heavy in the mean time!

I know I am certainly on the waiting list because I had a text from the NHS asking me to confirm whether I still needed to be on the list or if it had resolved by itself, apparently they need to ask every 12w as a new policy.

Mine has got worse so I'm chasing up my GP next week and after that I'm going private under my DHs employee health insurance family policy.

HollowEgg · 09/12/2023 19:54

I had a tiny one about 7/8 years ago, only caused mild pain but it was operated on by the NHS quite quickly.

My dad had his done privately and it wasn’t expensive at all.

sleepplease1 · 10/12/2023 01:41

KCSIE · 09/12/2023 19:53

I got put on the referral list for umbilical hernia at my 8w postnatal mother/baby GP checkup earlier this year. I was told the wait time here in my NHS trust is 6months minimum, which I'm over, now.

Mine is the size of a golf ball and sticks out all the time, so much worse by the end of the day after a day's eating, or these days - after any eating!

I first raised it in 2020 (yes, you read that correctly) on the postnatal recovery ward after the birth of my first child. The ward doctor asked me "does it feel like a hernia?" Erm....no idea, it feels painful and not birth related. He told me I didn't know my body and it was heartburn, said I could waste his time and be put on Omeprazol to get me off the ward but I'll have to wait until he can do the paperwork many hours later (I'd already been in for a week), or I could be discharged and buy myself Gaviscon. I've had heartburn before, it wasn't heartburn. I didn't wait for Omeprazol or buy myself Gaviscon.

My GP dismissed me then too.

I then got pregnant and miscarried multiple times and with each pregnancy/miscarriage it got bigger and more obvious.

Then I got pregnant with my second child and the MW kept an eye on it as did my sonographer at scans where my GP wouldn't entertain it as a hernia.

Fast forward to baby birth, all fine, walk into my 8w postnatal appt and the first thing the (not my usual) GP said was "I see through your clothing you have a hernia. I'll refer you to the specialist..." I've been told not to lift anything heavy in the mean time!

I know I am certainly on the waiting list because I had a text from the NHS asking me to confirm whether I still needed to be on the list or if it had resolved by itself, apparently they need to ask every 12w as a new policy.

Mine has got worse so I'm chasing up my GP next week and after that I'm going private under my DHs employee health insurance family policy.

Thanks for your message. What an awful time you've been through and how shocking is the nhs now for women post partum (and everyone else too!). It seems like private is the only option to get the treatment without waiting years. Interesting the poster after you said they were seen quickly by nhs 6/7 years ago - shows how things have changed!
Best of luck with the surgery. Would be interested to hear how you get on

Fluffybagel · 10/12/2023 21:59

How long ago was that? Has it all been ok since?

I’ve not been told I can’t lift anything heavy - just that I can’t do crunches!

After surgery though - no weights or anything excessive in the gym for 3 months!! 😮 seems quite a long time (although I understand the reasonings)

Fluffybagel · 10/12/2023 22:02

Thank you!
surgery booked! luckily I get private healthcare through work.

Ohyeahbabe · 29/12/2023 16:25

@HollowEgg was yours successful? I have a small umbilical hernia (roughly the size of a grape). I was referred by GP in Feb and spoke to surgeon today who basically said there was little point in operating because they nearly always come back? I really hate mine as I think it’s unsightly although only causes discomfort rather than pain.