Can You Develop a Hernia During Pregnancy?

Bringing a life into the world is a magnificent journey, and while some of the changes that occur in the body are wonderful, others are not. Developing a hernia is not as uncommon as you might think.

Cause

• During pregnancy, the stomach muscles are stretched to envelope the growing fetus within. When these muscles are stretched too far too fast or even torn, a hernia develops.

Consult With a Doctor

• While many cases of hernias during pregnancy are harmless to the mother and fetus, there is a chance that the hernia could present serious complications for the mother if not handled correctly.

Discomfort

• A common complaint about hernias during pregnancy is the discomfort. The pressure of the protrusion intensifies as the pregnancy progresses.

Common Type

• The most common type of hernia experienced by pregnant women is appropriately called an umbilical hernia and appears as a protruding belly button in the middle of the abdomen..

Treatment

• Relaxation and cold compresses will help when coping with the pain and discomfort of a hernia. For the safety of the developing baby, drug therapy is not an option, nor is surgery. Such remedies are saved until after birth.

What Not To Do

• It is strongly recommended that the expectant mother not attempt to push the hernia back into the body. Doing so can cause further complications, including internal bleeding and obstruction of blood flow.