Learn about a hernia during pregnancy to keep your mother and baby healthy

Pregnant mothers have a higher risk of developing a hernia during pregnancy from simple reasons such as carrying heavy loads to more complex including genetics.

As your belly grows, your belly button will likely bulge and this is normal during pregnancy. But sometimes, this condition appears to be a sign of another health problem, such as a hernia. The following article, aFamilyToday Health will introduce information around herniation during pregnancy as well as ways to prevent it to help pregnant mothers not feel too uncomfortable if infected. 

1. What is a hernia during pregnancy?

A hernia is the appearance of a small hole in the abdominal wall containing internal organs and tissues, including the stomach and intestines. As your abdomen grows and stretches during pregnancy, the pressure on the abdominal wall also begins to create more, causing the hole to enlarge or form new holes.

2. The risk that pregnant mothers get a hernia during pregnancy

A hernia occurs because the health of the muscle wall or muscle is not fully developed. This condition is more common in people born with. However, certain health factors can also contribute to tissue weakening, leading to a hernia, such as pregnancy.

Muscles tend to stretch, thin, and weaken during pregnancy. In addition, the period of pregnancy creates pressure on the abdomen as well as the increased weight making you feel like you are overloaded also contributes to the problem that pregnant women have a high risk of developing the condition herniation.

Some other factors that make you more susceptible to a hernia during pregnancy include:

Obesity or weight gain

Multiple pregnancy (twins, triplets)

Surgery to the anterior abdomen

Old

Someone close to have a hernia

Carry heavy objects

Chronic sneezing or coughing

Chronic constipation.

3. Signs of a hernia during pregnancy

Not all pregnant women will experience a hernia. You can only detect the condition when your doctor performs physical tests or imaging tests through a routine pregnancy check-up. But on the other hand, a hernia during pregnancy will appear as a small, bulging lump if you lie down or press on a nearby area. You can feel or see this.

A hernia can also be painful, which starts with a fairly mild but can become more and more uncomfortable when you are overworked. Your symptoms may become more severe as your pregnancy develops and your body weight gradually increases.

Hernia pain also sometimes occurs if you lie down. In such cases, try a cold compress to feel better. When you have learned about all forms of pain relief but the condition is still not getting better, most likely pregnant women are suffering from inguinal hernia.

Signs of inguinal hernia include:

Nausea

Vomiting

The pain suddenly appears and gets worse

The area where the hernia is located is green, red, or black

Unable to deflate or go heavy.

4. Can a hernia affect your baby?

A hernia during pregnancy or labor will not directly harm the baby because the baby is protected by the amniotic sac. However, if this condition affects your taste buds, consult your doctor about how to improve your diet so that your baby is getting enough nutrients to thrive.

5. Types of hernia during pregnancy

There are several types of hernias during pregnancy that you may experience.They include:

Umbilical hernia: Umbilical hernia is quite common during pregnancy and occurs immediately in the umbilical cord because the intestines bulge into the abdominal wall. In addition, there is another condition known as a proximal hernia.

Inguinal hernia: This is less common and occurs when your groin muscles are weakened by pressure from the uterus and growing tissue.

6. Treatment of a hernia during pregnancy

According to an article published in January 2018 in the journal Frontiers in Surgery, there is still no consensus among doctors about the best time to treat a hernia in pregnant women. If your hernia does not cause any unpleasant symptoms, you can completely wait until the baby has finished giving birth before starting treatment. But if the condition makes it difficult for you to live every day or affects your baby's health, most doctors will recommend surgery.

Options for hernia treatment

Your doctor may recommend surgery while you are still pregnant if the condition is causing other symptoms or the herniation is large enough to develop complications. The exact timing of your surgery will not be based on any specific rules. Some doctors will recommend surgery during the first or second trimester.

If a hernia is treated with sutures to repair the hole without using other tools such as medical wire to support the weakened muscle area, the risk of herniation coming back during pregnancy is very high. But the use of medical nets can limit the abdominal wall's flexibility to move and cause pain, both now and in the future.

Hernia surgery during pregnancy is considered to be quite safe. According to a study of umbilical hernia in 126 pregnant women, within 30 days of surgery, the occurrence of side effects or miscarriage were few or even absent.

Treatment of hernias during caesarean section

If the hernia condition during pregnancy is not particularly serious and she is planning to have a cesarean section, the pregnant mother can treat her hernia at the same time. Doctors have suggested that combining the two processes should not take too long.

Treatment of a hernia after childbirth

For mild hernias, pregnant mothers do not need immediate surgery for a number of health reasons. Also, if you are planning another pregnancy, you will want to delay this medical procedure. Eight weeks after your baby is born or when your body fully recovers, you can think about surgery for hernia.

7. Prevent a hernia during pregnancy

There isn't much you can do to prevent a hernia during pregnancy, but the length of time you are pregnant should not extend this. In addition, supporting your body by gently pressing on the herniated area while sneezing, coughing, and laughing will help you feel more comfortable. In addition, pregnant mothers should not be too active during this time.

If you are pregnant and have a hernia, don't stress it too much as it won't hurt your baby. Just consult your doctor regularly about your current health status as well as limited measures, you will have a healthy pregnancy.