Hernia Getting Bigger?

Updated on January 03, 2008
B.S. asks from Kansas City, MO
10 answers

My daughter was born with a hernia in her belly button, but nothing that ever concerned us or the doctors as they said it would go away in time. It's never been one that goes back "in" or just comes out when she's laughing or straining for a BM. It's always stuck out, but again, no one has ever seemed concerned. Lately we've been having problems with her not wanting to drink her milk, only water, and not eating NEARLY as good as she normally does...I mean she eats (or used to) as much as an adult (but has my family's metabolism and only weighs 22 pounds at almost 2). Yesterday we bought her a big girl potty because she is VERY interested in using it. We have it out in the living room right now and she is sitting on it. As I was taking her clothes off, I noticed that her belly button hernia seems bigger than it used to be. It's even kind of curling under (for lack of better words). Should I just wait it out and see if it does anything else and bring it up at her next appointment, or should I go ahead and call her doctor? The only thing I don't like about calling her doctor is it seems like she wants to see her for every little thing I call about, it turns out to be nothing or something small, then I get a huge bill for it. I don't mind taking her, of course, but only if it's needed. Any ideas?

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J.F.

answers from Kansas City on

My friends son just had an operation for this in OCT. Before then they had to wrap an ace bandage around his belly holding a quarter on the hernia to help it go in. His never got smaller so since both of his parents are in the Army and headed back to Iraq they fixed it now rather than wait until he was 3 or 4 like he said they usually do. I would probably wait til the next visit unless it starts leaking or their is a change in color. I think change in size is a possibility as they grow. May want to ask the doc for a referral for her but there is many tricks, like wrapping the quarter, you can try.

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S.S.

answers from Kansas City on

B.,
When my husband had the "belly button" hernia, the doctor told him that if he had waited any longer to get seen, that he could have had strangulated his intestines. If it is getting bigger, I would error on the side of caution and get her checked out...

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S.B.

answers from St. Louis on

Ok, 1 my daughter was born with a hernia but it never stuck out until it ruptured. Her PCP did not know what it was at first. He is not the "Specialist" I ended up having to take my daughter to a Pediatric Surgeon to find out for certain what she had wrong with her. Within a month she had her surgery and was feeling good as new in 2 hours.
She was required to stay on bed rest for 2 weeks but that was more of a challenge for me than her. She felt fine and could not understand why she couldn't get out of bed. Hers was lower in the pelvic area. I would call the Doctor and ask for a referal to see a specialist. Speaking of large bills does your employer or your husband's offer flexable spending? If so look into it. They take a small portion out of each paycheck and after a while you do not miss it.
FSA covers all Co-Payments, Deductables and Prescriptions. It even covers cough syrup, Asprin, Humidifiers. It is great you do not have to worry about out of pocket costs and it is tax free. It is taken out of you check pre-Tax so you pretty much get to keep more of your money. My husband and I elect 2000.00 each calender year and we used every bit of it this year. he needed glassed and without it we would have had to pay out of pocket 651.00 for his glasses and exams. I had major dental work last year and it paid for what insurance did not as well. Look into it. Trust me

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N.K.

answers from Kansas City on

B.-
My son had an inguinal hernia and had surgery when he was 5 months old. His ballooned one night when he was upset and totally freaked us out. We took him to the emergency room. Turned out to be nothing. He had surgery and the next day you couldn't even tell that he had had anything done to him. After they had noticed the hernia it was 2 months before it was fixed. He had a hard time with BM's, but they said it had nothing to do with the hernia. But, after his surgery, he had no more problems. If she acts like she is in pain, I would defintely take her. Call the nurse and ask her before you take her in. As far her not eating, as long as the pediatrician isn't concerened, I wouldn't be. They go through phases where they don't want to eat. My son is the opposite, you will only drink milk and not water. Even though a few months ago he would love to drink cold water.
Good luck!

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R.

answers from Oklahoma City on

My experince with my little one is if it is a concern it is worth taking her in. I would rather take my daughter in and it be nothing then miss the big thing. A hernia can be a big deal.

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L.G.

answers from St. Louis on

My daughter also developed a belly button hernia not long after her cord fell off. BUT....hers has gone back in, and seemed to be completely gone by the time she hit 4-5 months. I also never had any problems with it seeming to hurt her, or affect her eating habits. I would call, just because the symptoms are now getting worse and the doctor should at least know about it. I know many doctors that say to call for anything, they don't care. Especially with first time moms!

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M.L.

answers from Tulsa on

I know your question is about the hernia but you express concern about her drinking her milk. I am a big opponent of cow's milk. It is a highly processed, foreign protein that you are putting into your little girl. Her body is probably rejecting it if she is not wanting to drink it. There is NO OTHER mammal on this planet that drinks another species' milk ever in their lives and certainly no other mammal that drinks ANY milk after it is weaned. Think about that!

There are some rally good books out there regarding milk. Once you start reading you won't believe how shocked you will be. New studies are showing links between milk consumption and diabetes.

Its imposssible to say anything anout the hernia without looking at it. Try taking a picture of it every week and chart the progress. That is- if you decide to wait to take her in. I'm with you, though, a trip to the Pediatrician is usually unnecessary.

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M.

answers from Wichita on

Most hernias go away in about a year. If your daughter still has hers, I think from what I've been told by my daughter's pediatrician, it will most likely stay. My daughter was born with one also, but it went down in about six months if I remember correctly. It wouldn't hurt to call her pediatrician, especially if the hernia seems to be changing. Has your daughter been complaining of any pain or other symptoms associated with the hernia?

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J.G.

answers from Kansas City on

The way you are describing it I would be very concerned, but that is me. My youngest son had a hernia but futher down than the belly button. Our dr. noticed it a few months after he was born. He told us we would have to go to another dr. for a second opinion and they both agreed on surgery. After my son's first birthday (the very next day) he had surgery. I was scared to death about the whole thing but the dr. assured me that this happens alot. I hope everything works out and it is not serious for your daughter. Take Care

www.livetotalwellness.com/missouri

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C.S.

answers from Kansas City on

My 3 yr. old just had surgery on Dec. 4th for an inguinal hernia...I'm so glad we did it! We discovered it about 6 weeks before - our dr. sent us to a pediatric surgeon at Children's Mercy. He took one look at it while pressing on her lower abdomen and said she definitely had one. It was quick and easy recovery - she was bouncing around that night! "They" say if they need to have hernia surgery - it is best to do it young. We were having serious constipation issues before the surgery and now we are back on track and FULLY potty-trained! I attribute everything to the surgery - needless to say, I highly recommend taking her in and having it checked out by a pediatric surgeon. It might heal on it's own, but it might not. At this point, you've got nothing to lose. I didn't want to take a chance and have her in pain any longer. Good luck!

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