Symptoms · Belly wall
A bulge at the belly button or in the middle of the belly
The short answer
A soft bulge at or near the belly button that shows when you strain, cough or stand is most often an umbilical or ventral hernia, where tissue pushes through a weak spot in the belly wall. It does not heal on its own and can slowly get bigger. See a doctor to plan treatment. Go to the emergency room if the bulge becomes hard and painful and cannot be pushed back, or if you have vomiting.
How patients describe it
- A lump in my belly button
- A bulge above the belly button
- A bulge after pregnancy
- A bulge at an old operation scar
- Pain when I lift or strain
Go to the emergency room now if you have
- A bulge that is hard, very painful, and cannot be pushed back
- Vomiting, or a swollen belly with no wind or stool
- Redness or a dark colour over the bulge
- Fever with a painful lump
What can cause it
Umbilical hernia
A bulge at the belly button that shows with straining and often goes in when you lie down.
Next step: Examination, and an ultrasound or CT scan if needed.
Epigastric hernia
A small bulge in the middle line, above the belly button.
Next step: Examination, and an ultrasound if it is unclear.
Incisional hernia
A bulge at the scar of an earlier operation.
Next step: Examination and a scan; see a surgeon.
Separation of the belly muscles (diastasis recti)
A soft ridge down the middle when you tense the belly, often after pregnancy. It is not a true hernia.
Next step: Examination; exercises and sometimes surgery.
What you can do now
- Avoid heavy lifting and straining
- Treat constipation and a long-lasting cough
- Aim for a healthy weight
- A supportive abdominal belt can ease discomfort until you are seen
- If you plan a pregnancy, discuss the timing of repair with your surgeon
Tests your doctor may order
- Examination standing up and while coughing
- Ultrasound or a CT scan for larger or unclear bulges
When is surgery needed?
- A hernia is repaired by an operation, by keyhole or open surgery, often with a mesh to lower the chance of it coming back.
- A small hernia with little or no trouble may be watched. Your surgeon will explain which applies to you.
- A separation of the belly muscles without a hernia is treated differently, usually with exercises.
Related operation guides
Questions people ask
Will a belly button hernia go away on its own?
No. It does not close by itself and may slowly get bigger, so it is best to have it checked.
Will the hernia come back after repair?
It can: about 4–8 in 100 after keyhole repair, and more often after open repair. Obesity, coughing, straining and diabetes raise the risk.
Is the mesh safe?
Mesh lowers the chance of the hernia coming back. Infection of the mesh is uncommon, under 2 in 100, and your surgeon will explain the risks for you.
When can I go back to work and lift things?
After open repair, light office work is usually possible after about 10–14 days, and heavy lifting or exercise after about 6 weeks, with your surgeon's approval.
This page gives general information and does not replace the advice of your treating team. In an emergency, go to the nearest emergency room.