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

Navel piercing at 22 weeks pregnant

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.

linea nigra in pregnancy

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 7 of about 7.

Military~Mommy - 68 days ago.
X~ My belly got fuzzy too during pregnancy, I did not shave it and a couple weeks after delivering there was no more fuzzy hair on my belly. I would say just tough it out, you don't want to risk it becoming permanant!

xtrishaxleax - 68 days ago.
my stomach seems so hairy now, its peach fuzz kind of but its annoying and embarrassing. i want to shave it but im afraid if i do, it will get thicker afterwards. has anyone shaved theyre stomach area without a problem??

digger474 - 178 days ago.
I was wondering how long it takes for your belly button to go back in after delivery. My boy is 9 weeks old and my belly button is half in and half out. I lost all my pregnancy weight but my belly is still a little flabby. Any hints would help. Thanks.

motheroftriplets - 222 days ago.
latoya u cant tell by that- i have twins girl and boy and they both play with my belly and always want to be up under me as well as my babygirl cousins. but i am pregnant with 2 boys.

adriana03 - 222 days ago.
latoya. Ive heard that when lets say a baby boy plays with you its a girl/ and when a girl plays with you its a boy. I dont know if thats true but I know some ppl in my family do say that.

latoya22 - 341 days ago.
this is a question to any body can you tell if boy or girl when children like you? today i been in town and baby girl was playing with me,want to come to me,

Sallyfd - 379 days ago.
How long does it take for your belly button to go back to normal after delivery?? My baby is 6 weeks old today and my belly button is still half out. . . is it going to stay like that forever??