Belly button pain in pregnancy

Gynecologists often hear complaints about pain in the navel during pregnancy. Naturally, stretching of the abdominal muscles can cause discomfort in the navel area. Pain is also caused by weak abdominal muscles. The round ligament of the liver (fused umbilical vein) communicates with the navel, which also causes pain.

The changes that occur in the body of a pregnant woman are initially noted on a physical level. The shape and volume of the abdomen changes, and at the same time the navel changes.

Most women notice a protruding navel in the second part of pregnancy. An increase in the area of the umbilical ring, similar to a button, is not a pathology and is more common in slender expectant mothers or with a large belly. After the birth of the baby, the navel acquires its normal state.

All disturbing symptoms should be discussed with a doctor immediately, as pain in the navel area can be a harbinger of serious diseases. Waiting for a baby, marred by increased gas formation, constipation with nausea, vomiting, increased pulse rate against the background of pain in the navel, indicate the development of an umbilical hernia.

Causes of belly button pain during pregnancy

Only an experienced obstetrician-gynecologist can identify the source of pain in the navel during pregnancy. The vagueness and vagueness of symptoms often complicate diagnosis and treatment.

Causes of belly button pain during pregnancy:

• the process of stretching the skin of the abdomen with the onset of the 13th week of the term often causes pain in the navel during pregnancy. The condition does not require medical attention;
• umbilical hernia - in addition to pain, a dense round or elongated subcutaneous neoplasm can be felt in the umbilical area. It is necessary to immediately seek medical help;
• intestinal infections - pain in the navel is accompanied by fever, loose stools, vomiting is possible. Increased intestinal tone due to vomiting and diarrhea affects uterine tone. There is a high risk of fetal infection, therefore, along with treatment, prevention of premature birth is mandatory;
• exacerbation of appendicitis - rarely occurs during pregnancy.

A pregnant woman needs to accurately describe all alarming symptoms to her doctor to ensure a correct diagnosis.

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Symptoms of belly button pain during pregnancy

Any manifestation of pain in the navel area should be discussed during a consultation with a gynecologist. Based on the nature, intensity, localization and accompanying symptoms, the doctor will be able to determine the cause of the pain syndrome and prescribe adequate treatment.

Aching sensations in the lower back, heaviness in the legs are frequent companions even during a physiologically correct pregnancy. When unpleasant factors appear, it is important to clearly understand what is normal and what is pathology.

Excessive pain accompanied by nausea, vomiting, along with constipation, gas, and increased heart rate, most often indicates an umbilical hernia.

Symptoms of pain in the navel during pregnancy, resembling contractions, accompanied by diarrhea, nausea or vomiting may indicate intestinal infections. The condition is dangerous due to the possibility of miscarriage, so it requires medical attention.

During pregnancy, there is a mixing of internal organs, including the appendix. When the appendix becomes inflamed, it causes pain in the navel, which shifts to the right. The clinical picture of an attack of appendicitis during pregnancy may look atypical, which complicates diagnosis.

Pain near the navel during pregnancy

Pathological changes in internal organs cause pain in the navel during pregnancy of a local nature. Attacks are usually quite intense with dizziness, fever, vomiting, general weakness and changes in stool.

Discomforts arise due to various reasons. For example, in the summer heat, pain in the umbilical region manifests itself due to overheating, when the skin inside the navel is irritated by salts of profuse sweating. Often, pain is a consequence of a change in cosmetics, allergic reactions or increased emotional sensitivity.

The most severe manifestations of pain near the navel during pregnancy are associated with an exacerbation of appendicitis. If the symptoms are accompanied by pain in the right hypochondrium, nausea, vomiting, immediately call for emergency medical care.

Pain around the navel during pregnancy

Infectious diseases and poisoning are also common during pregnancy.

Pain around the navel during pregnancy is typical of gastroenteritis, inflammatory processes of the intestines or stomach as a result of poisoning or infectious lesions. Pain in the umbilical area is observed against the background of bloating and rumbling of the abdomen. Among the accompanying symptoms, patients distinguish: vomiting, diarrhea, fever, chills, nausea, weakness, thirst.

Toxins affect the healthy development of the fetus. Gastroenterological disorders cause activation of the gastrointestinal tract, which increases uterine tone, leading to premature birth or spontaneous abortion.

Infectious lesions and intoxications during pregnancy require immediate treatment.

Pain around belly button during pregnancy

An umbilical hernia often develops before the joyful event, without revealing itself in any way. As the tummy grows, the hernia begins to progress, actively increasing in size in the later stages. Such hernias are not infringed due to the fact that it is the uterus, not the intestines, that is adjacent to the peritoneal wall. The pain is concentrated in the umbilical region.

Women who had a large hernia before pregnancy should be wary of its strangulation at any stage of gestation. Always sudden, sharp pain around the navel during pregnancy in this condition is often paroxysmal. The condition is aggravated by vomiting, bloating with constipation. The onset of the disease occurs without fever.

A strangulated hernia is a dangerous phenomenon that requires medical care, regardless of the number of weeks. Surgical intervention should be performed within the first six hours after the signs of strangulation are detected, since the development of intestinal necrosis poses a possible threat to the life of the mother and child.

An incarcerated hernia can be identified by the characteristic protrusion of the navel area.

Pain above the navel during pregnancy

Stomach disorders, liver and pancreas dysfunctions cause pain above the navel during pregnancy.

Chronic gastroduodenitis, dyskinesia of the bile ducts cause pain in the abdominal area above the navel. Existing pathologies in the digestive system often become complicated with the onset of pregnancy, because the stomach and intestines have to adapt to new working conditions. Pain often appears after a meal. Unpleasant consequences include heartburn and nausea. Exacerbation of the disease is not tied to the period of gestation. Pathological processes are detected at any stage.

You should follow a diet and consult a specialist, without self-medication.

Pain below the navel during pregnancy

Obstetric disorders include pain below the navel during pregnancy, pulling discomfort in the lumbar region, vaginal discharge and increased uterine tone. Lower abdominal pain syndromes are dangerous due to spontaneous termination of pregnancy, so it is important to consult an obstetrician-gynecologist in a timely manner.

Discomfort below the umbilical area with unpleasant symptoms during urination and frequent trips to the toilet are signs of cystitis or other urinary problems. Cystitis is manifested by nagging pain, a feeling of a full bladder and portioned urine output. The condition requires a specialist consultation.

Pain in the navel during pregnancy may indicate pathological development of the pregnancy itself.

Pain under the belly button during pregnancy

Pulling pains in the lower abdomen at the beginning of pregnancy indicate normal changes in the body. The action of hormones causes softening of the tissues of the uterine ligament apparatus. Some expectant mothers do not notice such processes at all. The pain syndrome is not cramping and constant.

Pain under the navel during pregnancy is caused by muscle stretching, a change in the position of internal organs with the growth of the abdomen. The second part of gestation is characterized by a decrease in intestinal peristalsis, as a result - a slowdown in the movement of food and pulling/stabbing pain. Such changes do not require treatment. It is necessary to eat right and not overload the intestines.

Diagnosis of belly button pain during pregnancy

Diseases of the internal organs of the peritoneum cause pain during pregnancy. Pathological processes are characterized by strong periodically recurring, increasing attacks that can threaten termination of pregnancy. Harbingers of miscarriage are nagging, cramping pains. The condition is characterized by discharge from the genitals, frequent urination, pain in the sacral area. The second stage of pregnancy with various diseases causes uterine tension, "hardening" of the abdomen.

Along with palpation, ultrasound examination is used to diagnose alarming symptoms during pregnancy. This study allows you to determine increased uterine tone, detachment of the ovum and placenta. Diagnosis of pain in the navel during late pregnancy is carried out by cardiotocography (CTG), which makes it possible to assess the condition of the fetus and check for cramping contractions of the uterus.

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Treatment of belly button pain during pregnancy

Pain in the navel during pregnancy that does not require treatment:

• increased skin sensitivity during the process of abdominal enlargement (this includes the protrusion of the navel, pain associated with this condition when in contact with clothing);
• stretching of the abdominal muscles;
• a feeling of pressure in the navel caused by the growth of the uterus.

The described discomforts will go away on their own, you will have to endure them.

If any disease of the abdominal organs or pathological course of pregnancy itself is detected, therapeutic or emergency measures are required. Such conditions as: umbilical hernia, intestinal infections, urinary tract disorders, appendicitis must be diagnosed in a timely manner.

Treatment of belly button pain during pregnancy is prescribed only by a doctor based on the results of the examination, the identified underlying cause and the general condition of the patient. In case of exacerbation of appendicitis, strangulated hernia, urgent surgical intervention is performed.

You can take activated charcoal or No-shpa on your own, but you should not delay your visit to the obstetrician-gynecologist.

How to Prevent Belly Button Pain During Pregnancy?

The best prevention of pain during pregnancy is preparation for conception in advance. The expectant mother should determine her health status before the long-awaited event, and if problems are found, cure existing diseases. It is enough to consult a gynecologist, visit a therapist, take a number of tests and the pain in the navel during pregnancy will not bother you with its presence. If discomfort appears, it will disappear without a trace in a short period of time.

As for changes in intestinal peristalsis, it is necessary to adhere to certain rules in nutrition. In order to improve digestion, enrich your diet with fiber contained in raw vegetables and fruits. If desired, eat them steamed. To avoid flatulence, refrain from legumes, onions, cabbage, radishes, etc. Eat dried apricots/prunes to facilitate peristalsis. It is necessary to drink enough water, which will have a beneficial effect on the process of digestion and urination. It is better to wait with fatty, sweet foods and "gifts" of fast foods.

Physical activity is a preventative measure against belly button pain during pregnancy, as well as a great way to stay in shape and improve the functioning of the digestive system. Choose what you like best: swimming, water aerobics, yoga. The main thing is that the load is evenly distributed across all muscle groups.

Pain in the navel during pregnancy may mean the need to rest, relax. If there are no obvious pathologies, which the gynecologist confirmed, walk more, enjoy yourself and the world around you. After all, the time of bearing a child is not only a physiological process, but an opportunity to discover new talents in yourself.