LivingNavel pain in pregnancy, is it normal?
Living

Navel pain in pregnancy, is it normal?

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The navel is one of the parts of the woman’s body that undergoes a great change during pregnancy. As the uterus grows to house the baby, the belly also grows, causing the navel to tighten and end up sticking out.

It is common, towards the end of pregnancy, to notice the bulging navel or sticking out like a button. In some women it can break out earlier than in others, while in some it can go almost unnoticed.

Being a sensitive area, it is normal to feel some discomfort and even pain in the navel of pregnant women, but it should not be a cause for alarm.

Why does the navel hurt during pregnancy?

Navel pain is frequent and normal in pregnancy, and can be physiological, but it can also be due to pathological causes. Among the different causes of pain we can find:

  • Irritation of the navel area: due to the tension of the belly, the navel protrudes outwards, making it more exposed to friction and causing skin irritation in the area.
  • Umbilical hernia : pregnancy is not a cause of the appearance of the hernia, but it actually exists from birth, but it is in this period when it manifests itself, especially during the second trimester, as a consequence of the growth of the uterus or in multiple pregnancies . It does not require any treatment when it does not show symptoms, and it usually returns to its shape after giving birth, however, sometimes it needs to be operated on.
  • Abdominal tension : the sudden growth of the belly causes greater tension in the abdominal muscles that causes pain in the navel area.
  • Abdominal pathology: if the pain persists and/or increases, consult your doctor who must rule out any pathology, such as appendicitis or an intestinal infection. They should accompany other symptoms such as fever, vomiting, etc…

How to relieve belly button pain during pregnancy

  • Keep the skin of the abdomen hydrated.
  • Increase fluid intake.
  • Clean and dry the navel after bathing.
  • Practice moderate exercise on a regular basis to stay in shape.
  • Eat healthy to maintain weight control.
  • Wear soft, breathable clothing that does not constrict the belly.
  • Lie down on your left side and support your belly on a pillow to reduce tension in the area.
  • If your navel is very irritated and sore, you can cover it with gauze to prevent friction when you get dressed, but try to leave it in the air to heal. You can also apply an anti-irritation cream.

Photo | tirachardz – www.freepik.es

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