In addition to the navel that looks more prominent, some pregnant women may experience a sore belly button. Basically, belly button pain during pregnancy is not a dangerous condition, but it can certainly interfere with comfort.
Navel pain is a normal thing and can be experienced by pregnant women in the second and third trimesters of pregnancy. Generally, this pain will go away by itself after pregnancy or 6 weeks after giving birth.
Causes of Navel Pain During Pregnancy
Navel pain during pregnancy can be caused by the following:
1. Pressure on the Uterus
The main cause of belly button pain is increased uterine pressure. This occurs due to the increase in the size of the fetus and the size of the uterus.
2. Skin and Muscle Stretching
As gestational age increases, the skin and abdominal muscles of pregnant women will stretch even more. This stretching of the skin can make pregnant women’s navel painful and itchy.
3. Navel Piercing
Piercings in the navel can be one of the causes of the navel becoming easily sore and irritated. Therefore, if pregnant women have piercings in the navel, it is better to remove the piercings and not wear them during pregnancy.
4. Umbilical Hernia
Navel pain during pregnancy can also be caused by an umbilical hernia. An umbilical hernia is characterized by a bulge or swelling around the navel. The risk of developing an umbilical hernia will increase if the pregnant woman is also obese.
Relieves Discomfort in the Navel of Pregnant Women
When pregnant women start to feel pain and discomfort in the navel, there are several ways that can be done to relieve it, namely:
- Clean the belly button regularly to prevent irritation and pain.
- Apply a lotion that is safe for use by pregnant women, such as a lotion made from cocoa butter.
- Sleep on your side and support your stomach with a pillow to support your stomach.
- Wear loose clothing and maternity pants.
- Wear a special belt for pregnant women to support the stomach.
If after carrying out the methods above the navel pain in pregnant women does not improve or accompanying symptoms appear, such as cramps, fever, vomiting, and bleeding, you should immediately consult a doctor to get the right treatment.
Read Also: Things to Avoid During Pregnancy
