Belly Buttons Will my belly button change during pregnancy?

Belly Buttons and Pregnancy

What happens to your navel in pregnancy?

As your abdomen expands, your navel, the scar from where your umbilical cord was attached to your mother, gets stretched. Even if you have a deep belly button (or 'innie') when not pregnant, you may find that first your navel flattens and eventually it may protrude from your abdomen. This doesn't bother some women, but others find it annoying to have a bump on an already large abdomen. A band-aid across the area can make it less noticeable through your clothing.

For most pregnant women, this is a temporary situation that reverses after delivery. If the skin shrinks back to normal, the belly button typically reverts. For a small number of women, a weak deep belly button attachment can loosen leaving an 'outie' after pregnancy.

Common Questions and Concerns


Q. Do I need to remove my belly button ring?

A. There is no medical reason for you to remove your belly button ring during pregnancy. Most women do have changes of the belly button late in pregnancy. Even women who are thin and fit will notice that their belly button flattens out. While you may find that the ring gets uncomfortable as your tummy grows, you can always take it out later on if it bothers you. You also may want to ask your doctor or midwife what her policy is on this issue. Some practitioners request that you remove the ring temporarily during labor.







Q. Why is my belly button sticking out?

Inny	Outy	A mix of both

A. Even if you've been an 'inny' all of your life, the expansion of your abdomen during pregnancy can cause you to become an 'outy.' There isn't much you can do about this temporary condition, except to cover it with clothing. Some women have taped something over it to create a flatter appearance under their clothing. You should also have your practitioner check it out to make sure you don't have a hernia.

Q. I have a pain inside my belly button. What causes this?

A. This can be caused from the stretching of the skin on your abdomen or it can be a muscular issue. A stretched belly can also exacerbate an umbilical hernia. Belly button pain and symptoms, such as coughing, can be signs of an umbilical hernia. Such issues should be checked with your doctor. Always report pain to your doctor or midwife.

Q. My belly and belly button are itchy. Should I be concerned?

A. As the skin stretches it may become irritated and itchy. Try keeping it well hydrated with your favorite lotion for some relief. Many women find relief in daily applications of cocoa butter.

Q. I have a dark line on my stomach. What is this?

A. This is called a linea nigra. You may find that you have developed a faint line from your navel to your pubic hair. This is also due to hormonal changes and will 'crumble off' as the top layers of skin cells are shed a few weeks after delivery. However, some women notice a faint line leftover for months after delivery.




Q. I am growing hair around my belly button. Is this normal?

A. Pregnancy-induced hair growth usually develops during the first trimester and is caused by an increase in sex hormones known as androgens. In addition to new facial hair and hair around the navel , some women notice unusual growth (sometimes just a few stray hairs) on their breasts, arms, legs and back.

To get rid of excessive amounts of unwanted hair, you can safely tweeze, wax, and shave. It is not recommended for bleaches or depilatories to be used because they can be absorbed into the skin. Experts don't know what effect they might have on a developing baby.



Comments: Belly Buttons

Comments 1 to 24 of about 261.
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jamieleigh20 - 22 hours ago.
i have never wanted my button 2 pop.... im 32 weeks now and i reckon that its on its last legs and will pop any time oon lol ive got used to the fact and i really dnt care anymore...just cant wait to see my baby girl xx

mommyashley86 - 3 days ago.
does everyone's button pop? I've always had an 'inny' and it seems to have gotten tighter but it hasn't popped out yet... I'm wondering if it will. I'm 20 weeks now.

derra1976 - 3 days ago.
I am about 17 weeks and mine is about to pop out!! I had and outy with my son too.

MommaKT - 3 days ago.
I am 21 weeks today and my belly button is already popping out!!!

kla2200 - 7 days ago.
I am 27 weeks and my belly button is completely flat right now - Non Existant! But the skin around it is blue-ish green and bruised looking too. And sometimes when the baby moves or when I am laying flat on my back it sinks in a little bit and my husband will shout 'You have a belly-button again!'

babyrae - 7 days ago.
I'm 35 weeks and my belly button has not popped out yet which i don't mind at all! lol i think it might pop within these last few weeks but i hope it don't!!

loveatfirstbump - 9 days ago.
The skin around my belly button looks blue and kind of bruised. Is this normal? It doesn't hurt or anything. I was wondering if it might be an indication of something.

1chance2live - 11 days ago.
Haha okay ladies I just have to share this because I think it is hilarious. I really don’t have a belly yet (just what I call a pooch-like a ate a lot haha) but I was talking to my boyfriend and he looked me square in the face and told me that he doesn’t know if he can touch my belly when it gets big. I was taken back by this and actually mad because he loves to rub and talk to my belly now why wouldn’t he want to later?! Like what the heck!! So of course I asked why…he explained that he is terrified that one day he will be holding my belly and at that very moment my belly button will pop out! And that absolutely terrifies him haha ...my poor honey =) he is so cute sometimes!

Bri - 11 days ago.
Hey ladies - Just wanted to say I had my belly ring the whole pregnancy. I bought a maternity ring and loved it. It was so cute, I had one with a pacifier on it and another one that said 'It's a boy.' The ring was flexible and moved with my ever growing belly. Now I have my old ring back it. It's great! My belly button never popped either. No one in my family did. Good luck to all your pregnant ladies! Congrats!

sammie6808 - 12 days ago.
I am 34 weeks and my belly button has not came out yet.. My hubby tells me that is about ready to come out.. I will have to keep watching it I guess.

1stTimeMommy18 - 12 days ago.
im 7 months n mine still hasnt pop'd...guess its just not gonna happen...lol...

Stacemingas - 12 days ago.
My belly button is halfway done changing from an inny to a weird-looking outtie. lol But it hurts! Not too bad though...but still...I guess it's from the stretching. ??? Also, I used to have my belly button peirced and in between the hole and my actual belly button is a tiny, red stretch mark. A friend of mine's is like that too! Anyone else's? No stretch marks anywhere else yet though!

Elle - 15 days ago.
I don't really think it has to do with what your carrying. I think it just depends on how your carry and if you have an innie on how deep it is

mumofsoontobe5 - 15 days ago.
Hi there mummies to be!! This is my 4th pregnancy. I have 2 boys and a girl and am carrying twin boys. All my pregnancies my belly button has been the same.... a very stretched out innie. So I dont think it has anything to do with what sex you are having. Good luck to you all :)

rvblessed - 15 days ago.
aamn, mine too...with my first prgnancy I had a belly button piercing and eventually had to take it out because it started to stretch. I had a boy and my BB was an outty. I am hoping for a girl this go round. I'll find out in about a month.

Elle - 15 days ago.
I'm having a baby boy and my belly button is usually kind of a mixture of an outie and innie. its pushed out a little but just a little stretched

aamn105 - 15 days ago.
I am happy! I am 37 weeks and my belly button stayed in! I my belly looks funny because I had my belly button peirced and now the holes for it are high above where they should be.

MyLilAidan - 15 days ago.
i have an Inny BB, and am carrying a boy.. im 33weeks and my bb is FLAT!!

yummymummy87 - 15 days ago.
oh and i am having a girl

yummymummy87 - 15 days ago.
hi all i am 31 weeks and i have a mixture of both i had a huge inny before i was preg and thought it would come out loads with me being preg but its only half in half out sounds strange

nancy26 - 15 days ago.
32 weeks tomorrow - still an inny (if stretched a bit) and it's a boy ;) maybe that urban legend has it the wrong way round? lol

19sarah87 - 15 days ago.
Hey im 28 weeks n stil got a inny infact it luks like my bb is colapsin n closing up and im avin a boy

shirmar - 15 days ago.
im 28 weeks & my bb is usually an inny when not pregnant..........& still is now at 28 weeks??/.im so surprised mine hasnt flattened out yet.........it had by this stage with my last pregnancy...it was a girl.......im having a boy this time

milf2b - 15 days ago.
This is my first and I have an inny, now at 35 weeks it's like 1/2 inny 1/2 outie, and i'm having a boy. But i thought that it would be kind of expected for your BB to eventually stick out a little during pregnancy so i'm not sure how ppl have determined the sex that way, lol

Mercer - 15 days ago.
When I was pregnant with my son I had an inny. I'm 25 weeks pregnant with a little girl now and still have an inny.


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