Changes in the Navel During Pregnancy

Many women are surprised by the changes they see in their navel during pregnancy. It may look bulky, protruding or even flat. It may even look like it flipped over.

Find out more about the changes in the navel during pregnancy in this article.

The function of the belly button during pregnancy

During the gestation period, the navel fulfills a very important function, since it marks the point where the fetus joins the mother via the umbilical cord.

Through this cord, you supply all the nutrients, blood and oxygen your baby needs. In other words, you supply everything your baby needs to develop inside the uterus.

Changes in the navel during pregnancy

During pregnancy, certain changes can occur in the navel. For example, the increasing size of the uterus puts pressure on the center of your body. This causes changes in the navel, although it happens more in some women than in others.

Among the most common transformations are:

• Flattening of the navel: As the months pass, the skin stretches. This results in your navel stretching, which gives the impression that it has been erased or has disappeared.
• Bulging navel: Between the second and third trimesters of pregnancy (after week 28), retroversion or deviation of the umbilicus occurs. This is a painless phenomenon that causes the navel to come out like a button.
• Appearance of a dark or black line: This vertical line, also called the linea alba, goes from the navel to the pubis. The hormonal changes that occur during pregnancy are responsible for the darkening of the skin here. It gradually disappears after childbirth.

When the navel returns to its place

If the belly button comes out before or after the date indicated above, there should be no reason for you to worry. This is because in women with flaccid tissues, the navel can bulge earlier. It can go unnoticed in those with harder or thicker skin.

Although the navel loses its appearance during pregnancy, it returns to its original position after delivery. The uterus begins to settle and resume its normal size, so you’ll also be able to recover your weight.

Complications that can occur

Due to excessive abdominal muscle exhaustion, you may have an umbilical hernia. The most common symptoms that occur are:

• Tenderness or pain in the abdomen
• Presence of a bulging or soft mass
• Vomiting
• Indigestion
• Fever
• Gastrointestinal disorders, such as constipation
• Infections
• Dermatitis in the umbilical skin

Reasons why the belly button hurts

Some pregnant women feel pain in and around their belly button just by touching it. This pain is related to the fact that the belly has grown so rapidly. The rapid distension of the skin hasn’t allowed it to adapt to the change.

To relieve the pain, use a girdle for pregnant women. Also, you can put on underwear that covers your navel so that your body adapts to its new state of progressively gaining weight.

Because it’s a very sensitive area, the pain can be very distracting. Try to wear loose clothing or leave the belly area exposed to avoid friction that could irritate your belly button.

Recommendations you can follow

Nothing can be done to prevent the navel from coming out. However, you can analyze the following easy tips:

• If your navel is very large after pregnancy and doesn’t recover its original appearance, a surgeon can correct it. With a small intervention, it’s reconstructed, eliminating excess skin once and for all.
• Use a lot of body cream so that you can keep the skin around your navel hydrated.
• Maintain proper hygiene using neutral soaps that don’t have fragrance or irritating chemicals. If you have any doubts about what to use, consult a dermatologist.

Although these changes may take you by surprise, you shouldn’t worry too much, because everything is normal. Your uterus and your abdominal muscles will return to their natural state.

All the changes the navel suffered during pregnancy will disappear. Therefore, if you’re pregnant, you shouldn’t be distressed by this minor detail.