What is a pregnancy hernia?
A hernia develops as a result of weakened abdominal muscles during pregnancy. When your belly grows, your abdominal muscles enlarge and become relatively thin. The abdominal wall ensures your tissues, organs, stomach and intestines stay tight in its place. A hernia then develops when a small hole occurs in the abdominal wall due to the thin and fragile tissue.. The most common hernia in pregnancy is the umbilical hernia. This is what is most commonly seen in pregnant women when their innie belly button becomes an outie.
What are the different types of pregnancy hernias?
During pregnancy, hernias can occur due to the increased pressure on the abdominal wall as your baby grows. Here are the common types of hernias that may develop during pregnancy:
- Umbilical Hernia: This type of hernia occurs when part of the intestine pushes through the abdominal wall near the belly button. It can happen as the abdominal muscles are stretched during pregnancy, and is most common in women who have had multiple pregnancies.
- Inguinal Hernia: This hernia occurs when the intestine or fatty tissue pushes through a weak spot in the lower abdominal wall near the groin. It is relatively rare in women but can happen during pregnancy due to the added strain on the pelvic region.
- Ventral Hernia: A ventral hernia occurs when tissue pushes through the abdominal muscles anywhere along the midline of the belly. This can be due to a prior surgery or weakened abdominal muscles from previous pregnancies.
- Femoral Hernia: Femoral hernias occur when part of the intestine bulges through the femoral canal, near the groin and thigh area. This type of hernia is rare but can happen due to the increased pressure in the pelvic area during pregnancy.
What causes hernias during pregnancy?
Hernias during pregnancy are typically caused by a combination of increased pressure on the abdominal wall and the weakening of the muscles and connective tissues. Some common factors that can lead to hernias include:
- Growing Uterus: As the baby grows, the uterus expands and places increased pressure on the abdominal wall, potentially causing a hernia in areas that are already weak.
- Weakened Abdominal Muscles: Pregnancy often stretches and weakens the abdominal muscles, making it easier for parts of the intestine or other tissues to push through and form a hernia.
- Multiple Pregnancies: Women who have had multiple pregnancies are more prone to hernias due to the repeated stretching of the abdominal wall.
- Excessive Weight Gain: Gaining a significant amount of weight during pregnancy can add additional strain on the abdominal area, increasing the risk of hernias.
- Heavy Lifting: Lifting heavy objects during pregnancy can also put extra pressure on the abdomen, which may increase the likelihood of developing a hernia.
Who is more likely to develop a hernia during pregnancy?
- Being overweight before pregnancy
- Pregnant with multiple children (ie. twins)
- Family history of hernias
- Previous pregnancies
- Fluid in the abdomen
- Previous surgeries such as c-sections or other abdominal surgeries
- A pregnancy that is past the due date
- Chronic sneezing or coughing
- Increased pressure in the abdomen
Hernia Symptoms while Pregnant
Most women have no knowledge of having a hernia during pregnancy unless a doctor diagnoses them with having one. It is common to have a hernia and experience little to no symptoms at all. However, in some cases, hernias may cause pain. The pain is usually described as dull pain that can become worse when doing exercises or movement. Also, as pregnancy progresses and tissue stretches, it is not uncommon for pain to become worse.
A hernia can usually be felt or seen when lying down. Sometimes the hernia can be a visible bulge without even touching it. While other times, it can only be felt when pressing down and not visible to the naked eye.
How to Relieve Hernia Pain During Pregnancy
- Wear a belly band: Maternity support belts or bands can provide extra support to your abdomen, reducing the pressure on the hernia.
- Avoid heavy lifting: Minimize activities that involve lifting heavy objects to prevent added strain on your abdominal muscles.
- Practice good posture: Standing and sitting with proper posture can help alleviate pressure on the hernia.
- Eat smaller meals: Eating smaller, more frequent meals can help prevent added pressure from bloating and indigestion, which can worsen hernia discomfort.
- Stay hydrated: Drinking plenty of water can reduce the chances of constipation, which can increase pressure on the abdomen.
- Take breaks and rest: Avoid standing for long periods, and take breaks throughout the day to rest and relieve pressure on your abdomen.
- Sleep elevated: If the hernia causes discomfort while lying down, sleeping with your upper body elevated can help reduce pressure on the abdominal area.
- Consult your doctor: Always consult with a healthcare provider for personalized advice and to discuss safe treatment options, such as exercises or potential surgical interventions postpartum.
Belly Bands for Umbilical Hernia While Pregnant
Wearing a belly band offers all-day pregnancy hernia relief. The belly bands work by placing even pressure on your belly while giving you proper support. These support belts help support the belly and reduce pressure on your hips and pelvis. It will also help prevent the hernia from getting larger due to the compression that the wrap provides. If your doctor decides that surgery during pregnancy is necessary to treat your hernia, then belly bands will offer that extra support and compression to help your wound heal and protect your incisions. This will also continue to provide the compression needed to help prevent the recurrence of the hernia. It is always possible for a hernia to come back during pregnancy, so prevention and support are key. It is always advisable to check with your gynecologist before using a belly band after hernia surgery to ensure this is right for you.
Learn more about umbilical hernias.
When should I worry about hernia pain?
Most women are able to push their hernia back into their body by pressing gently on their belly while lying down. If this is not possible, then it is possible the hernia is incarcerated. This would cause concern as it could prevent the blood flow to the hernia. Symptoms of an incarcerated hernia include:
- Nausea
- Pain that gets worse regardless of rest
- Hernia bulge has a change in color
- Trouble passing gas
- Constipation
Hernia Treatment During Pregnancy
Not every hernia is cause for concern and in need of treatment during pregnancy. If your hernia is small and not causing any pain, then your doctor will suggest waiting until after birth to fix your hernia if needed. However, in rare cases, hernias can be a cause for concern and need repair during pregnancy. The doctors most likely will repair a hernia if it is causing you significant discomfort and is relatively large.
Hernia Repair During Pregnancy
The timing as to when to have a hernia repaired varies from doctor to doctor. Most doctors believe that waiting until the second trimester is the best time to fix a hernia because of the risk during the first trimester. Hernia repair surgery during pregnancy is considered generally safe. There have been no reported cases of pregnancy loss from hernia repair surgery during pregnancy. However, it is important to keep in mind that there is a possibility of recurrence later on in pregnancy depending on the choice of treatment.
Hernia Repair During a C-Section Birth
If you are having a c-section, most doctors recommend waiting until then to do a hernia repair. Hernia repair does tend to make a c-section procedure longer than a regular c-section.
Hernia Repair After Vaginal Delivery or After C-Section
Sometimes doctors advise not doing hernia repair during a c-section for a couple of reasons. If you are planning on having another pregnancy then it is best to have a hernia repaired after birth. Doctors suggest waiting until five to eight weeks post-birth to allow your body to heal from your pregnancy and delivery. It is common to allow 6 weeks for c-section recovery or vaginal birth. Some people have a desire to not repair their hernias at all. Which can be safe as long as there is no increase in hernia size or pain.
Discovering you have a hernia could make you worried and nervous. However, rest assured that you are not alone. With proper treatment and preventative care, you are still able to have a healthy pregnancy with no harm to you or your baby. It is important to listen to your gynecologist instructions and take rests when needed. Wearing a support belt will greatly improve your symptoms of your hernia during pregnancy. A pregnancy belt will provide proper support and prevent a hernia from becoming larger and therefore needing surgery. Enjoy every moment of your pregnancy because nine months feels like a long time but it goes by faster than you realize. Cherish every moment.
