Pregnant belly button hurts. Why does the belly button hurt in the first trimester? Why does soreness occur in the navel?

Minor discomfort in the navel area during pregnancy may be normal. This symptom is due to the growth of the uterus and displacement of the abdominal organs. Severe pain and deterioration in well-being are a reason to seek help.

Physiological causes of pain in the navel during pregnancy

Flatulence is a common cause of pain in the navel area in pregnant women.

In the early stages of gestation, hormonal changes occur in the female body. Symptoms develop that have never been encountered before. Mild stabbing pain in the navel area is often associated with stretching of the uterus. The feeling of discomfort is quite tolerable, there is no reason to worry.

If the expectant mother has not prepared her skin for pregnancy, stretch marks (striae) may appear in the navel area after 20 weeks. They also often lead to discomfort. After childbirth, the stretch marks fade and the itching goes away. Where there were previously fresh stretch marks, light stripes remain.

Towards the middle of pregnancy, intestinal motility changes. The expectant mother may develop constipation and flatulence. If your stomach hurts in the navel area during pregnancy, you should reconsider your diet.

The baby's movements can also be painful. In this case, discomfort in the navel area will be only temporary. If the aching pain is observed for a long time, you cannot postpone a visit to the doctor. A specialist will tell you why the unpleasant symptoms do not go away.

Pathological causes of pain

If after a certain time the woman’s condition does not improve, and other unpleasant symptoms are present, treatment cannot be delayed.

Acute appendicitis

The disease develops quite rarely in women during pregnancy. However, up to 4% of all patients with a similar diagnosis are women expecting the birth of a baby. Due to the intensive growth of the uterus, the likelihood of infection moving from the genital tract to the appendix increases. The risk group includes patients who did not register in a timely manner and did not undergo all the necessary examinations. Intense growth of the uterus can also lead to kinking of the appendix, disrupting its blood supply. A cutting pain will be observed to the left or right of the navel.

In addition to discomfort in the abdomen, a woman may also be worried about other symptoms: dizziness, diarrhea or constipation, increased body temperature.

The likelihood of developing appendicitis increases in late pregnancy. Treatment of the disease is only surgical. If a woman's organ becomes inflamed after 37 weeks of pregnancy, the doctor may decide to perform a caesarean section. If special equipment and qualified specialists are available, surgical intervention using a laparoscope can be performed in the early stages of gestation. This operation can reduce the likelihood of premature birth.

Ectopic pregnancy

In the early stages of pregnancy, your stomach should not hurt. A significant deterioration in well-being in the first weeks after conception may indicate that the fertilized egg has not implanted correctly and an ectopic pregnancy is developing.

Initially, the woman will experience the same symptoms as during normal development of the baby inside the womb: enlarged mammary glands, morning sickness, delayed menstruation. As the embryo grows, the discomfort in the abdomen will increase. The following symptoms should alert a woman:

• pain during sexual intercourse;
• sharp or dull pain in the navel area;
• bleeding from the vagina;
• increase in body temperature.

If any of these signs occur, you should consult a doctor immediately. The fetus is developing out of place. As a result, a condition that threatens the woman’s life may occur. A fertilized egg that implanted incorrectly (low or high) is surgically removed.

Umbilical hernia

The pathology manifests itself as a protrusion in the navel area. Modern medicine uses techniques to eliminate the disease with minimal risk to the baby and mother. An increase in pressure in the abdominal cavity due to intensive growth of the uterus can provoke the appearance of a hernia. Simultaneously with the increase in the abdomen, the umbilical ring also grows.

An umbilical hernia is a pathology that is not observed in all pregnant women. Heredity is of great importance. If the disease was observed in the mother or grandmother, the risk of encountering it during pregnancy increases. With each subsequent period of gestation, the tone of the abdominal muscles decreases. Therefore, an umbilical hernia is often observed during repeated pregnancies. Excess weight of the expectant mother can also provoke the development of a pathological process.

An umbilical hernia during pregnancy can be easily recognized. From the second trimester, a protrusion in the navel area may occur. As the abdomen grows, the hernia increases in size. There are also other unpleasant symptoms. During walks or physical activity, a nagging pain appears in the navel area.

The only treatment for an umbilical hernia is surgery. However, during pregnancy, when the pain is minor and there is no risk of strangulation, surgical treatment is postponed. The operation is performed after the baby is born.

Pancreatitis

Acute inflammation of the pancreas can develop both early and late. The disease in various forms is detected in 2% of women awaiting replenishment. The main factor provoking inflammation is a violation of the excretion of bile. Errors in nutrition can also provoke the development of the disease: drinking alcohol, eating too fatty and spicy foods, and being addicted to processed foods. In rare cases, it is possible to identify abnormalities in the development of the pancreatic gland in pregnant women.

Acute pancreatitis often develops in the second or third trimester of pregnancy. A woman complains of severe cramping pain in the navel or stomach. The discomfort can be so intense that the patient experiences painful shock. Nausea and vomiting are observed.

The disease can be detected using a general blood test and examination of the content of pancreatic enzymes in the blood. An ultrasound of the pancreas is required. If acute pancreatitis develops before the 12th week, the pregnancy is terminated. The appearance of unpleasant symptoms after 36 weeks of gestation serves as a reason for early delivery. Treatment of women in the second trimester of pregnancy is carried out in a surgical hospital under the additional supervision of an obstetrician.

Kidney problems during pregnancy

If a woman suffers from chronic kidney disease, the pathology may worsen during pregnancy. Most often, girls awaiting replenishment have to deal with pyelonephritis. In this case, the pain may be vague and radiate to the sides or navel. The risk of developing kidney inflammation remains at any stage of pregnancy, but the most dangerous are the later months.

Pyelonephritis is a disease that affects the internal tissues of the kidney. Compression of internal organs due to the growing uterus is only a provoking factor. The main cause of the disease during pregnancy is the penetration of pathogenic microflora into the kidney. Women suffering from chronic tonsillitis, sinusitis, cystitis, furunculosis, etc. may experience pyelonephritis.

With acute inflammation of the kidneys, a pronounced infectious process develops. The expectant mother experiences symptoms of general intoxication: increased body temperature, headache, aching joints. The pain may be sharp or dull. Most often, discomfort develops in the area of ​​the affected kidney. Then the pain moves to the lower back, navel, and radiates to the groin. A pregnant woman experiences tension in the muscles of the abdominal wall.

Treatment of acute pyelonephritis is carried out in hospitalization. Antibiotics that do not harm the fetus are selected for the patient. After diagnosis, medications are selected taking into account the sensitivity of pathogenic microflora.

Premature placental abruption

The pathological process is characterized by the early separation of the placenta from the walls of the uterus, even before the baby is born. This is a serious complication that can lead to the death of not only the fetus, but also the expectant mother herself. The risk of premature placental abruption remains during pregnancy, as well as during labor.

Violation can provoke somatic diseases:

• hypertonic disease;
• diabetes;
• chronic pyelonephritis.

Compliance with your diet is of great importance. The risk of developing placental abruption increases with rapid weight gain in a pregnant woman. The disease can be triggered by abdominal trauma or excessive physical activity.

It is important to immediately note that pain in the navel area should be distinguished by intensity and period of its occurrence. That is, if there is pain near the navel during pregnancy in the initial period of development, then the reason may be one thing, in later stages it may be completely different. If your belly in the navel area doesn’t hurt too much during pregnancy, you don’t need to worry about this, although you should still tell your doctor during a routine appointment. Depending on how much the navel hurts during pregnancy, how long it is and the general condition of the expectant mother, the doctor will decide whether to conduct additional studies or place her in a hospital.

Pain in the navel area is often observed in pregnant women at different stages. Pain in and around the navel during pregnancy can be natural or pathological. You must be able to distinguish safe conditions from pathologies that require urgent medical intervention.

The reasons for pain in the navel area during pregnancy can be different. They can be divided into:

• natural pain, which is explained by normal changes in the physiological state of a woman;
• pathological conditions requiring diagnosis and treatment.

It is hardly possible to independently determine the source and main factor why the navel hurts during pregnancy. Here you need a consultation and examination with a gynecologist-obstetrician leading the pregnancy. However, it is quite possible to decide whether to panic and immediately run to the hospital when there is pain around the navel during pregnancy.

Why can your belly button hurt in early pregnancy?

At the initial stage of pregnancy, the stomach and navel often hurt for obvious reasons. Experts attribute the following factors to the natural reasons why the abdomen hurts in the area during pregnancy in the first trimester:

• Hormonal changes in the body at the initial stage of pregnancy can provoke many ailments. Often, pain in the navel area is due to the action of hormones that soften the ligament tissue, which makes it easier to stretch the abdominal muscles. The likelihood and degree of pain in the navel area in the early stages largely depends on the woman’s constitution and the condition of her muscles.
• Changes occurring in the uterus lead to stretching of the skin. Even in the early stages, especially sensitive women may experience pain around the navel during pregnancy. Itching and discomfort from skin stretching can be relieved with daily moisturizing and nutrition. To do this, you can use cosmetic oils and special creams for stretch marks for pregnant women.

Physiological characteristics and the condition of the abdominal muscles may be the reason why the navel hurts in the second and third trimester of pregnancy. Some types of pain that are considered safe can be caused by the effects of hormones and developing pregnancy on organs adjacent to the reproductive system - especially the intestines.

Safe navel pain in mid and late pregnancy

The second and third trimesters of pregnancy differ from the initial stage in more active growth of the fetus and rapid enlargement of the uterus. This process often becomes the source of navel pain during pregnancy in the second trimester. As mentioned earlier, the presence and intensity of noticeable pain is determined by the physical structure and degree of muscle development. In this case, women with strong abdominal muscles may feel pain due to the fact that pumped up muscles are difficult to stretch. Expectant mothers with weak abs may have a very noticeable navel ache during pregnancy in the third trimester due to the fact that the muscles cannot cope with the load in the form of a greatly enlarged uterus. For such women, in case of severe pain, it is recommended to wear a bandage in the last stages.

Active movements of the fetus can cause pain in the last month of pregnancy. Pain is noted with non-optimal amount of amniotic fluid. With oligohydramnios, the child does not have enough room to move; with polyhydramnios, a large belly creates an unreasonably large load on the abdominal muscles.

Dangerous pain in the navel during pregnancy

Disorders of intestinal motility, often observed in the second and third trimester, are considered a relatively dangerous condition for maternal health. With intestinal disorders during pregnancy, pain to the right of the navel. Such disorders are accompanied by bloating and stool disorders, most often constipation. This problem should be discussed with the doctor managing the pregnancy, and a therapist should be consulted about prescribing safe medications that improve peristalsis.

Dangerous causes of pain in the navel area that are possible during pregnancy include:

• pinched umbilical hernia;
• pathologies of the urinary system;
• inflammation of the appendix;
• diseases of the digestive system;
• developmental disorders or placental abruption;
• poisoning.

However, all these pathologies are characterized by additional symptoms. If during pregnancy, in addition to the fact that the navel hurts when pressed or spontaneously, other unfavorable symptoms appear, you need to consult a doctor and undergo an examination.

Dangerous signs include the following conditions:

• elevated temperature, heat, fever;
• acute or persistent digestive disorders (vomiting, nausea, diarrhea, constipation);
• dizziness, severe headaches, lightheadedness;
• suspicious vaginal discharge (especially bloody or brownish);
• significant deviations from normal blood pressure;
• heart rhythm disturbances, shortness of breath;
• severe weakness, profuse sweating (cold sweat).

If pain in the navel is accompanied by one or more similar symptoms, it is extremely dangerous to postpone a visit to the doctor. If the navel hurts during pregnancy in combination with other symptoms, this may indicate the following pathologies:

• Acute appendicitis. Pain in this condition is localized in the right side and spreads to the entire side. With appendicitis, accompanying symptoms are: fever, chills, nausea, vomiting.
• Kidney diseases. Pain in the navel area, radiating to the lower back, is often accompanied by urination problems.
• Ectopic pregnancy. Severe painful sensations are localized in the lower abdomen and radiate to the abdominal press. Most often it hurts on one side in the area of ​​the tube where the embryo is attached. May be accompanied by bloody discharge followed by the development of uterine bleeding. It appears in the early stages of pregnancy.
• Stomach problems. The pain is localized above the navel, accompanied by heartburn, nausea, and belching.
• Gallbladder diseases. Pain in the right side and in the center of the abdomen, aggravated by walking or physical activity, accompanied by nausea, vomiting, and bitterness in the mouth. The intensity of pain depends on the form and nature of the pathology (dull, aching or sharp and strong).
• Umbilical hernia. The pain syndrome evenly spreads to the peri-umbilical area, accompanied by heartburn, bouts of vomiting, flatulence, and constipation. Often, when feeling the abdomen, a woman herself can detect a lump.

Even if there is mild pain in the navel area, a pregnant woman should tell her gynecologist about it. If the pain is acute and intense and/or is accompanied by other pathological signs or functional disorders, you should consult a doctor immediately.

Discomfort in the navel area during pregnancy is normal due to the growth of the uterus, as a result of which internal organs are displaced and ligaments are sprained. However, constant pain may indicate serious abnormalities, so it is very important to know the entire list of reasons that can cause such pain.

Natural causes of pain

• Stretching of the tissue and ligaments of the uterus due to hormonal changes in the early stages. Thus, the body prepares to bear the baby.
• Gradual stretching of the skin, which is also accompanied by itching of the skin in the navel area. At the same time, women's navel itches differently. Some women are constantly haunted by itching, not allowing them to forget about themselves even for a minute, while other women feel only mild discomfort or tingling. As the belly grows, red-pink stripes (stretch marks or stretch marks) may appear on the skin near the navel, which become a constant source of itching. After childbirth, stretch marks fade, decrease in size and stop bothering you. If severe itching leads to deep scratching, be sure to disinfect the abrasions, as they can become infected.
• Growth of the uterus, causing short-term pulling or tingling pain, usually after the 20th week. Its size becomes larger and larger, and as a result, organs are displaced from their usual places.
• In the second trimester, there is a decrease in intestinal motility, a slowdown in the movement of food, which provokes the development of flatulence and problems with stool - constipation.
• Heavily gained weight during multiple and polyhydramnios pregnancy.
• Active movements of the baby can be painful for the expectant mother. They are short-term and not permanent.

Women with weak abdominal muscles are most susceptible to painful symptoms during pregnancy.

Dangerous causes of pain in the navel area

Sources of pathological pain can be:

• disruption of internal organs;
• exacerbation of chronic diseases of the digestive system;
• poisoning or intestinal infections;
• acute appendicitis;
• pinched umbilical hernia;
• placental abruption or damage to its blood vessels;
• gynecological diseases;
• pathologies of the genitourinary system - cystitis, pyelonephritis and others.

• Temperature increase. High temperature leads to intoxication of the body. If it persists for a long time, it can lead to changes in protein synthesis. It has a negative effect on the placenta, can cause premature birth, as well as various disorders in the development of the child’s systems and organs.
• Repeated vomiting in case of poisoning or single vomiting in case of acute appendicitis.
• Problems with bowel movements - diarrhea or constipation, which causes tension in the uterus. At first glance, they seem to be harmless symptoms, but in fact they are dangerous because they cause intestinal tone, which in turn provokes tension in the uterus. In case of poisoning, toxins enter the blood through the intestines and have a negative effect on the development of the fetus.
• Shortness of breath, chills, fever, trembling.
• Dizziness, lightheadedness.
• Rapid heartbeat, pressure changes.
• With flatulence, the pain intensifies and radiates under the rib.
• Bleeding or strange discharge from the vagina. Require urgent medical attention or call an ambulance. This could be the beginning of a miscarriage or premature birth.

In this case, the pain is constant and can increase over time. Therefore, as soon as you feel unwell, call an ambulance immediately, time is against you, and only a doctor will determine the cause and prescribe treatment. Self-medication is strictly prohibited!

Abdominal pain to the right and left of the navel during pregnancy

• Acute appendicitis. It appears more often in the second trimester of pregnancy and, in addition to pain on the right side, radiating to the right hypochondrium, is accompanied by high fever, vomiting and nausea.
• Kidney problems. During pregnancy, the kidneys are under heavy load, so the occurrence of kidney diseases is common in pregnant women. Pain on the right or left side of the navel may indicate a disease in one of the kidneys.
• Ectopic pregnancy (in the early stages). In this case, severe cutting pain is localized on one side, depending on the damage to the fallopian tube, less often - in the central part. In this case, the pain intensifies when changing body position or physical activity. Bleeding occurs and the woman’s condition worsens greatly. It is necessary to immediately call an ambulance, since this requires surgical intervention, and if there is any delay, the woman may die from a ruptured fallopian tube and extensive hemorrhage.

Abdominal pain above the navel

• Girdle pain in the upper abdomen and near the navel, low blood pressure, sometimes nausea and vomiting signal inflammation of the pancreas - pancreatitis. It can be triggered by stress and abuse of fatty or fried foods.
• Diseases of the gallbladder - inflammation (cholecystitis), dyskinesia, the presence of stones - are also characterized by pain in this part of the abdomen. In chronic forms of the disease, the pain is aching, in acute forms it is sharp.

  The main sign indicating diseases of this organ is bitterness in the mouth. As well as symptoms such as nausea and heaviness in the right hypochondrium.

• The development of gastritis, gastric or duodenal ulcers is also manifested by pain in this area of ​​the abdomen.
• With an umbilical hernia, pain spreads to the entire navel area, nausea, vomiting, heartburn, bloating, and constipation may occur. In its area under the skin, a dense neoplasm of a round or oblong shape can be felt. It is necessary to visit a surgeon to make an accurate diagnosis. To treat a hernia, surgery will be required after childbirth.

How to relieve pain in the navel area during pregnancy?

• Wearing a bandage. It is especially recommended for pregnant women with weak abdominal muscles, multiple pregnancies or the threat of miscarriage. It helps reduce the load on the spine, get rid of pain in the legs, lower back, and back. However, experts do not recommend wearing a bandage all the time unless there are serious indications. When putting it on, it must be properly fixed so that it does not compress the abdominal cavity. With the correct selection of a bandage, the woman does not feel any discomfort and experiences relief.
• Using ointments for stretch marks. They help to intensively moisturize the skin, increase the elasticity and firmness of the epidermis, and retain moisture. When choosing an ointment, pay attention to the composition of the cream - it should include natural products that deeply moisturize the skin. These are natural oils, glycerin, a complex of vitamins, plant or algae extracts, essential oils, collagen. The cream must be hypoallergenic, but in any case, a sensitivity test must be done before use.
• Adjusting your diet to reduce the risk of developing flatulence and bowel problems. To improve the digestive process, foods rich in fiber are introduced - fresh fruits and vegetables. Dishes are best consumed steamed. To avoid the formation of gases, legumes, cabbage, radishes, and bread are excluded from the diet. Dried apricots and prunes are useful for intestinal motility. And do not forget about the drinking regime, which has a beneficial effect on digestion and the urinary system.
during a normal pregnancy. Pregnancy is not the time to lie on the couch. Moderate physical activity will not only help prepare the body for childbirth, but will also allow you to recover faster after it. There is plenty to choose from - swimming, yoga, special gymnastics for pregnant women.