thread: Painful patch over stomach

  1. #1
    Mummy Mummy Guest

    Painful patch over stomach

    Hi all... hoping you have some insight into this. I have a really painfull area just above my belly button that strectches accross my stomach... it almost feels bruised. It hurts without touching it however becomes worse if I lift anything, bend over, laugh or touch it. Ouch! I have tried searching other posts on this but cant find anything...

  2. #2
    Registered User

    Oct 2006
    Adelaide
    726

    Hi Mummy,

    I had a similar feeling recently. Mine was a pain from my belly button to the right side of my body and very tender. I found I just had to stop lifting / doing anything strenuous at the time- there was still a general soreness there when I wasn't exercising the area, but much easier to deal with than that shooting pain when lifting, etc.

    It ended up going away on its own before my next midwife appointment, so it wasn't too bad. I mentioned it to my midwife and she said it was most likely the stomach muscles pulling apart and that they were probably a bit unstable at the time, but had now stabilised.

    Obviously you're further along than what I was, but maybe its a similar thing.

  3. #3
    Mummy Mummy Guest

    Thanks Star... it sounds like the same thing you experianced. It does feel like it is muscular - I have been lifting my toddler alot and doing the usual nesting around the house. I guess its just time to put my feet up - LOL any excuse!

  4. #4
    Registered User

    Jan 2005
    Down by the ocean
    6,110

    It could be muscular or it could be where your muscles have separated. The organs underneath such as your bowel that are there have little protection and could have had a slight knock which feels sore.
    I had issues with the fetal monitor in that spot when I was in labour. (The midwife wanted me to wear the monitor because she didn't think I was in labour but I proved her wrong about half an hour later ) It hurt and I kept moving it all the time. I ended up with a sore spot there for about a week afterwards.

  5. #5
    nelliesbelly Guest

    Could it be seperation of abdominal muscles? I dont have any experience with this but I have heard of it with others.

  6. #6
    Mummy Mummy Guest

    I have heard of the muscles seperating during pregnancy... Fingers crossed that it isnt! Sammy I plan to be induced at 41 weeks if I dont go into labor naturally so I too will probably need a fetal heart monitor. Hopefully the pain goes away soon! Can the muscles reattach to each other with exercise after the baby is born? Sometimes you see images where womens stomach muscles dont reattach and the stomach sags on each side (not that I plan to be wearing a bikini any time soon LOL!!!).

  7. #7
    nelliesbelly Guest

    I think with the right exercise you can. A specialist physiotherapist might be the way to go. I also know that fitness leaders/health and fitness advisors can now do a course on pre&post pregnancy exercise to help with such things. I know a fitness leader who has done the course.

    I know what you mean about bikini 'one day'! I am looking forward to being able to wear jeans ooh, and boots! I am so big I dont feel very feminine now and there isnt much choice so I look forward to a bit more freedom clothing wise.

  8. #8
    Mummy Mummy Guest

    Yes Nelliesbelly, looking forward to slowly getting back into the exercise! After a few months of having my DD I started at the gym, pilates & lots of walking - that helped me get back into shape & get muscle/strength back into my jelly tummy. Cant wait to be wearing my straight leg jeans & boots too... I am hardly fitting into my maternity clothes anymore. Although pregnancy is a wonderful amazing process - I am looking forward to having my DS asap!! You dont have much longer to go either...

  9. #9
    Registered User

    Jan 2005
    Down by the ocean
    6,110

    I have separated stomach muscles that are three fingers wide.
    I think they are closing up from excercise, mainly pilates, but I don't expect miracles. I have afterall had 3 babies now and though I am a skinny minny won't be strutting about in a bikini any time soon My belly looks like a deflated balloon ROFL!

  10. #10
    Mummy Mummy Guest

    I remember after the birth of my DD, I was lying down, looking down thinking I was super skinny again - only to stand up & look 5 months pregnant. My DH took some photos after the birth. He was looking back at the photos some time later & said it looks like the baby has droped in this photo. I laughed & said that picture was taken after the birth of DD

    When I lost weight my belly also looked like a deflated balloon - it took alot of pilates & sit ups to get the strength back - although didnt go back to post baby shape. Sammi-j that must have been really painful when the seperation occured! My belly is so painful now - I cant even unpack the dishwasher -I hope it eases soon!

  11. #11
    Mummy Mummy Guest

    Does anyone have any ideas on how to ease the pain of the stretching / seperating stomach muscles? Also have any of you had shooting pains down the groin and inner leg... they really take me by surprise & stop me from walking until they fade

  12. #12
    Registered User

    Jan 2005
    Down by the ocean
    6,110

    I don't know exactly when the separation happened, it was a gradual stretching I think.

  13. #13
    Registered User

    Nov 2006
    459

    Yep, I've been getting some really sharp groin pains - when they come I can't stand on that leg anymore and have to quickly lift my leg up or it feels like I'll fall over. It feels like someone is trying to push a hard boiled egg through a buttonhole!!!!