I took mine out with DD#1 and havent put it back in althought the hole looks as though you could still poke one through, im not game enough, it might hurt, lol
Mine did stretch and it was the only place on my tummy i got stretch marks. Didnt look that bad though and i had no prob showing off my belly (once i was thin again), i have a couple of stretch marks on my hips too but i figure most ppl dont care cause they can see you have a kid and most ppl get them.