A woman’s body goes through a lot during her pregnancy tenure and there could be several reasons why she might experience pain near her belly button. Some of the common reasons are:
- Bodily changes
As the baby grows, it needs more space in the uterus, which results in a growing belly. To provide more space to the growing baby, the muscles and skin of the belly stretch out, which can be a reason for pain in the belly button, both on the inside and the outside of the belly. This pain can occur from the earlier stages of pregnancy. Some women experience the pain near the belly button until the end of their pregnancy. As the pregnancy progresses, the pressure that the baby puts on the uterus radiates to the belly and causes pain. - Protruding Belly Button – Protruding belly button during pregnancy can be a big trouble for many women. A pregnant belly is in constant touch and contact with clothes that the woman wears. This can irritate the skin and lead to pain around the belly. This is one reason why a pregnant woman is suggested wearing light, comfortable clothing that does not irritate her skin or cover up the belly like a bandage. Also Read: What does White Discharge during Second Trimester of Pregnancy Indicate?
- Intestinal infection – Intestinal infection could be another reason why a pregnant woman might feel pain near her belly button. A pregnant female can have an intestinal infection which can cause severe abdominal pain near the belly button area. But, along with pain, intestinal infection can also have other symptoms such as nausea, diarrhea, and fever which indicate. Intestinal infection can be a serious complication during pregnancy. The woman should consult a doctor to avoid any complications later.
- Pressure from the Uterus
In the first trimester, the uterus is relatively small but the size increases as the baby grows. The pressure from the inside of the body is exerted on the abdomen and the navel area. It is totally normal to have pain around the belly during this time. There may be times when you would feel that the pain is just gonna make you pop! Hold on, the growing baby will give you a hard time, but that is a part of the journey. Consult a doctor if the pain gets worse or more severe or if you experience other abnormal symptoms along with it. (Also Read: Natural Foods to Improve Uterus Health) - Umbilical hernia
An umbilical hernia is quite common during pregnancy. It happens when a lot of pressure is exerted in the abdomen. An umbilical hernia can happen to anybody, but a pregnant woman is at a higher risk of developing it. In this case, along with belly button pain, the woman might notice a slight bulge near the navel, swelling, nausea or vomiting. Contact a gynecologist right away if you have any of such symptoms. A delay in their treatment can lead to serious complications. - Navel Piercing
Females having a piercing on their belly button or near that area are more likely to have belly button pain during pregnancy. This is because the skin that has a piercing becomes more sensitive during the pregnancy. This factor can also increase the risk of developing navel infections as it is more difficult in cleaning that region. If a woman has a piercing in her abdomen or belly area, she should use a material suitable for pregnancy to help prevent such complications. (Also Read: Benefits of Applying Oil Near Belly Button)
Aches and pains during pregnancy are a part of your pregnancy journey. A woman’s body goes through many changes and adapts to accommodate the growing fetus by relaxing ( sometimes stretching too) the muscles and ligaments. The stretching creates more space between the pelvic bones and spine, and the bones which are loosely held and are anyway difficult to move.
The stretching of ligaments and bones is a natural way of the body to make space for the baby. This prevents the pregnancy from getting clumsy. Beginning in the 1st trimester, the woman experiences different kinds of pains, bloating, cramps, etc during her pregnancy.
How you can get relief from belly-button pain during pregnancy?
To relieve the belly button pain during pregnancy, the woman should first know the cause of the pain and then decide the treatment for the primary cause. It is most important to not put any pressure on the region to prevent further discomfort. For that, the female is recommended to:
- Sleep on the back or on the side (Also Read: What are the best sleeping positions during pregnancy? )
- Wear a pregnancy strap
- Indulge in in-water activities to mitigate the weight on abdomen area and the back
- Wear comfortable, lightweight cotton fabrics and clothes that do not irritate the skin or body
- Apply a cream or cocoa butter on the belly button skin to soothe the skin and also prevent dryness.
If your belly button pain is not relived even after taking the above measures, get in touch with a gynecologist to assess and monitor the condition. Do not take any risks with your pregnancy!
What is the ‘Outie’ Belly Button in pregnancy?
If the belly button protrudes, it is called an ‘outie’ belly button. A concave belly button is called an ‘innie’. If the female has an “outie”, then the chances of her belly button popping out during her pregnancy are quite high. A protruding belly button during pregnancy is quite normal condition and is regarded as harmless.
Quick Read: Ways to calculate pregnancy due date
Consult with a gynecologist
If you do not get relief from the home remedies, a gynecologist may have other suggestions for your help. Contact your doctor immediately if the pain gets severe or you experience one or more of the following symptoms:
- Fever
- Vomiting
- Cramping
- Swelling
- Bleeding
An experienced gynecologist will then rule out the risk of infection, hernia, or any other medical condition which might require treatment during the course of your pregnancy.
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