Belly Button Changes And Pain During Pregnancy - What To Expect

Has your previously innie belly button started popping through your clothes? Many women find they suddenly have a popped-out belly button during pregnancy. While it can feel surprising, it's a temporary and totally normal change.

Key Takeaways

• A popped belly button is totally normal. Most innies turn into outies toward the end of the second trimester as your growing uterus pushes outward. It might look surprising, but it’s a harmless and temporary pregnancy change.
• Belly button discomfort has common (and manageable) causes. From friction and stretching ligaments to dry, itchy skin, mild tenderness around your navel is usually nothing to worry about. Moisturizer, supportive belly bands, and looser clothing can help ease irritation.
• Umbilical hernias are rare but worth mentioning to your provider. If you notice a soft lump, bulge, or persistent pain around your navel, check in with your practitioner. Most hernias aren’t serious during pregnancy, and your belly button will typically return to its usual shape after delivery.

When does your belly button usually change during pregnancy?

It varies, but most women find that their navels begin changing around the end of the second trimester. Trusted SourceCleveland ClinicWhy Your Belly Button Changes When You're PregnantSee All Sources [1]

"25 weeks and it's almost completely out. Not a fan lol," says What to Expect Community member BabySpaghetti.

What causes belly button changes during pregnancy?

Blame your growing uterus. As it expands, it pushes your abdomen outward, sometimes turning even the deepest innie into an outie.

"I have an outtie, so mine normally pops out pretty early," says What to Expect Community member dec2121. "Right now it looks like an animal's nose."

What can I do about belly button changes when I'm pregnant?

There's nothing you can do to prevent your navel from popping. Just about every belly button protrudes at some point during pregnancy. Like so many other pregnancy symptoms, a popped-out belly button is harmless and temporary.

What causes belly button pain during pregnancy?

A little tenderness around your navel is common. Possible causes include:

• Friction. Your newly outie navel might get irritated from rubbing against your clothes. Try looser clothing or a belly button cover, tummy sleeve, or belly band to reduce chafing.
• Stretching ligaments. Ligaments attach to the umbilicus (belly button) and extend along the abdominal wall. As your belly expands and your navel pushes outward, those ligaments stretch, which can cause discomfort. The pain usually eases as your body adjusts.
• Umbilical hernia. A small tear in the abdominal wall can cause a soft lump around your navel. (More on that below.)
• A too-tight belly button piercing. If you keep your belly button piercing during pregnancy, it might irritate the area or possibly catch on your clothing as your baby bump grows. Watch for redness or soreness, which can signal that the piercing is too tight.
• Dry, stretching skin. Pregnancy hormones and stretching of the skin can make your belly feel itchy or sensitive. Applying moisturizer twice daily can help soothe the area. Trusted SourceAmerican College of Obstetricians and GynecologistsSkin Conditions During PregnancySee All Sources [2]
• PUPPP or PEP. If itching around your belly button is accompanied by a rash, let your provider know. It may signal a specific pregnancy condition, like pruritic urticarial papules and plaques of pregnancy (PUPPP) or polymorphic eruption of pregnancy (PEP).

Will my belly button go back to normal after pregnancy?

Yes, in most cases, your belly button will get back to its usual appearance within a few months after delivery. It may look a little stretched out or "lived in" – a small badge of honor from growing your baby. Track your symptoms with the My Journal tool in our free app

"Mine looks alien every pregnancy but it goes back to normal," says What to Expect Community mom Mom2BandB1921. "At least my previous two it did!"

Track your pregnancy changes with the My Journal tool in our free What to Expect app.

What is an umbilical hernia?

In rare cases, a popped navel can be a sign of an umbilical hernia. This happens when a small hole in the abdominal wall allows tissue to protrude through the umbilical area around the belly button. Trusted SourceMayo ClinicUmbilical HerniaSee All Sources [3]

What causes an umbilical hernia during pregnancy?

Umbilical hernias in adults happen due to too much abdominal pressure, which separates the muscles in the abdominal wall. The abdominal wall fascia is the layer of the abdomen that holds all the contents tightly inside. Pregnancy (especially if you’re expecting multiples), obesity, or previous abdominal surgery are risk factors for hernia formation due to weaknesses these conditions create in the fascia.

Many umbilical hernias are congenital, meaning they're present at birth. In fact, they're common in newborns and usually close on their own after birth.

If a congenital hernia doesn't fully close, it may not cause symptoms until later in life – often when pregnancy-related pressure makes it more noticeable. This can sometimes lead to a painful bulging around the belly button.

How do I know I have an umbilical hernia?

If you have an umbilical hernia, you may notice:

• A soft lump or bulge near your navel, which may be more visible when lying down
• A dull, achy pain that worsens with activity, bending, coughing, sneezing, or laughing

What can I do about an umbilical hernia during pregnancy?

Try wearing a belly band to help keep the hernia from bulging and causing pain. Some women find relief by gently massaging the lump until the bulging recedes. If it's not bothering you or growing, your provider may recommend simply keeping an eye on it.

If the hernia doesn't get better after delivery (or with exercises recommended by your practitioner), you may need surgery to repair it.

Can I get surgery for an umbilical hernia during pregnancy?

Surgery isn’t typically recommended during pregnancy unless a loop of bowel becomes trapped in the hernia and its blood supply is compromised. Fortunately, this complication is extremely rare.

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