The enormous pressure on the abdominal walls during pregnancy can often be enough for fat tissue or intestine to protrude through a hole formed in the abdominal muscle wall. That means a lot of pressure from the baby on your belly caused a bit of intestine to stick out through a hole in your muscle. This can result in an inguinal hernia: bulge in the groin area, abdominal hernia: bulge in the abdomen (in addition to the large baby bump), umbilical hernia: bulge in the navel, or femoral hernia: bulge in the inner part of the the leg near the groin. All of these can be very painful and awkward when walking.
Many medical professionals will tell you that there is nothing you can do to ease this pain and endure it until the baby is born. Relief is possible. Know that you can use a hernia care pregnancy support to prevent further damage and reduce pain. I experienced inguinal hernias during pregnancy and wearing support bands made all the difference in the world, from walking almost impossible to normal walking and playing with my kids again. There are 2 great pregnancy hernia support products on the market and if you type pregnancy hernia band you will find them accessible on search engines. Products with an elastic base tend to stretch and are not durable, so the buyer must be careful.
What are the life-changing steps you can take to relieve hernia pain in pregnancy?
- Wear a pregnancy hernia support band!!! The relief will come immediately.
- avoid lifting or if that’s impossible, avoid holding a child for long periods of time while standing (sounds impossible if you have small children, but lean in and talk to them, sit next to each other, ask them to sit in a “chair for big people” at the table if you’re working in the kitchen, you may have to get creative.
- rest your hernia–lie down and take the pressure off at night, support your belly with a pillow, and place a pillow between or under your knees at night.
- Ask your husband or significant other to pick you up– Leave heavy groceries or boxes in the car for him/her to bring. Let them know you are in pain. If you are alone, get a collapsible shopping cart and carry your purchases etc. inside the house.
Hernia surgery after pregnancy may be necessary depending on the severity of the hernia, check with your doctor. My inguinal hernia went away, only to return again in my third pregnancy, but never to return there after, I am almost 50 years old.