Belly-button pain in pregnancy: why it happens

The ordinary causes

Stretching. The skin, muscles and connective tissue around the navel are being pulled tight, and the area is rich in nerve endings — soreness, sensitivity and a pulling sensation are all normal from the second trimester onward.

The uterus pressing forward against the abdominal wall, which is why it is often worse in the third trimester and when the baby kicks in that spot.

An outie: the navel popping outward as pressure rises. It usually returns after delivery and needs nothing done.

Friction from clothing on a suddenly protruding navel, which is easily fixed with softer waistbands and a light dressing over it.

Umbilical hernia — the one to know

The navel is a natural weak point, and pregnancy raises abdominal pressure. A small umbilical hernia — a soft bulge that may become more obvious when standing, coughing or straining — is not uncommon.

Usually it causes discomfort rather than danger and is managed conservatively during pregnancy, with repair considered afterwards if needed.

The emergency version is a hernia that becomes trapped: sudden severe pain at the site, a firm tender lump that will not push back, redness, vomiting, or no bowel movement. That is a same-hour hospital visit.

Tell your obstetrician if you notice a bulge, so it is documented and watched rather than discovered in an emergency.

Piercings, and easing the pain

Navel piercings: most women remove the jewellery as the bump grows, because the skin stretches and the site can tear or become infected. A flexible pregnancy retainer is an option; new piercings should wait until after delivery.

For ordinary soreness: soft high-waisted or under-bump clothing, a maternity support band, a light dressing over a rubbing navel, sleeping on the side with a pillow supporting the bump, and gentle moisturising for the stretched skin.

Avoid rubbing or pushing at a protruding navel, and skip the folk remedies involving coins, tape or pressure over the navel — they do nothing and can cause skin damage.

When to see a doctor

Go to hospital immediately at any stage for: heavy bleeding, severe or constant abdominal pain, a gush or steady trickle of fluid, severe headache with visual changes, sudden swelling of the face and hands, high fever, fainting, or reduced fetal movements after 28 weeks. Call 108 if you cannot travel quickly.

Same-hour: severe pain at the navel with a firm lump that cannot be pushed back, redness, vomiting, or no passage of stool or wind — that suggests a trapped hernia.

Same-day: navel pain with fever, discharge or spreading redness (infection), severe or constant abdominal pain, pain with bleeding, or pain in the upper right abdomen with headache and visual changes, which points to pre-eclampsia rather than the navel.

This article is general information, not medical advice, and is no substitute for personal medical advice. For any decision about your or your child's health, please consult your doctor.

Frequently asked questions