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Hernias are a common condition that can develop at any age. In the United States alone, more than five million people receive a hernia diagnosis each year. Developing a hernia while pregnant is also quite common and occurs during an estimated 15 to 20% of pregnancies.
If you’re pregnant or hoping to become pregnant, it’s important to know how a hernia may impact your health. Our general surgeon, Frank Velez, MD, and OB/GYN, Marcella Facey, MD, share helpful information on navigating hernia care while pregnant or trying to conceive.
“A hernia is a condition that develops when an organ or fatty tissue is able to squeeze through an opening in a weakened muscle wall,” shares Dr. Velez. “Most, but not all, hernias will appear as a visible bulge in your skin, often near the belly button or groin and sometimes in the upper abdomen.”
A woman’s body experiences an enormous amount of change during pregnancy. As your baby grows, your body’s internal structures have to shift to accommodate for its development. This movement can cause a hernia to develop or worsen an existing one.
“Developing a hernia during pregnancy isn’t always an immediate concern,” Dr. Facey explains.
“But if you think you might have one, it’s important to let your doctor know so they can examine you and monitor it throughout your pregnancy for potential complications. The most common locations are the umbilicus and areas of previous surgical incisions.”
Since muscles tend to stretch and loosen to adjust as a baby grows in utero, pregnancy increases a woman’s risk of developing a hernia. Abdominal pressure and weight gain during pregnancy are also contributing factors.
Other risk factors for hernias while pregnant include:
If you’re trying to conceive and know you have an existing hernia, your doctor may recommend seeking treatment beforehand to minimize any potential concerns during pregnancy.
Not every hernia is preventable, but there are certain steps you can take to reduce your risk of developing one while pregnant, including:
According to Dr. Velez, while people often live with a hernia for years without needing surgery, an elective repair can minimize complications in the future: “Hernias do not disappear on their own, but treatment is available. Most repairs can be performed in an outpatient setting months after delivery using minimally invasive techniques.”
If you develop a hernia during pregnancy, it won’t directly affect the health or growth of your baby, and in most cases, it’s recommended to wait until after giving birth before having surgery to repair it. If the hernia is creating complications, such as severe discomfort causing a lack of appetite and excessive pain, surgery during pregnancy is possible and most often performed during the second trimester.
“If left untreated, your hernia could eventually become more serious, so it’s important to monitor it and check in with your doctor regularly,” says Dr. Velez. “Generally, it’s recommended to complete planned pregnancies before undergoing hernia repair, as an additional pregnancy can stress the healing repair and increase the risk of recurrence,” says Dr. Facey.
While having a hernia can be uncomfortable, especially while pregnant, the good news is they’re highly treatable. Request an appointment with Dr. Velez to learn more about our expert hernia care and treatment options. Or, for compassionate OB/GYN care, request an appointment with Dr. Facey.
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