A protruding navel, or “outie,” is a temporary physical change resulting from the body accommodating a growing fetus. While many anticipate this transition as a sign of late-stage pregnancy, it is completely normal for the navel to remain an “innie” or simply flatten out instead of protruding. The difference lies in a combination of internal physiology and individual body characteristics that influence how the abdomen responds to pressure.
The Anatomy Behind Belly Button Changes
The primary reason for the navel’s change is the intense, sustained internal pressure exerted by the expanding uterus. As the uterus grows out of the pelvis and up toward the rib cage, typically in the second and third trimesters, it pushes the abdominal wall outward.
The navel, or umbilicus, is essentially a scar that marks the point where the umbilical cord once passed through the abdominal muscles. This scar tissue and the surrounding skin are weaker points in the abdominal fascia compared to the muscle itself.
When the uterus pushes forward, this weakest point is the first to give way, causing the indentation of the “innie” to flatten and then potentially protrude. This change is simply a visible result of the skin and underlying tissues being stretched past their natural resting shape due to the sheer size of the growing pregnancy.
Individual Factors Determining Whether It Pops
Whether the navel fully pops out depends heavily on your unique pre-pregnancy anatomy. The original depth and shape of your belly button play the largest role in determining its appearance during pregnancy. A naturally deep “innie” has more tissue to stretch and flatten before it can be pushed outward into a noticeable protrusion. This deeper starting point often means the navel simply becomes flat or flush with the surrounding skin.
The tone and tightness of the abdominal muscles, particularly the rectus abdominis, also influence the outcome. Stronger, more tightly held abdominal muscles can provide greater resistance against the internal pressure from the uterus.
Factors like the amount of weight gained during pregnancy and the specific position of the baby can also affect where the pressure is focused on the abdominal wall. If the baby’s back or a limb is positioned directly behind the navel, the pressure is more concentrated, making a protrusion more likely.
When a Changing Navel Requires a Doctor’s Visit
While a protruding navel is a normal part of pregnancy, it is important to distinguish this from a potential umbilical hernia. An umbilical hernia occurs when increased abdominal pressure pushes a small part of the intestine or fatty tissue through the weakened spot in the abdominal wall near the navel. The difference is that a hernia is a bulge of internal tissue, not just the stretched skin of the navel itself.
Most umbilical hernias discovered during pregnancy are not an immediate concern and are often monitored until after delivery. However, you should contact a healthcare provider if the protrusion is accompanied by specific symptoms. These symptoms could indicate a rare but serious complication like incarceration, where the tissue becomes trapped, requiring prompt medical evaluation. Warning signs include:
- Localized pain or tenderness
- Swelling
- Discoloration such as redness or purple around the navel
- If the bulge cannot be gently pushed back inward
What Happens to the Belly Button After Delivery
The navel change is almost always temporary and resolves naturally once the pregnancy ends. After delivery, the uterus begins a process called involution, shrinking back to its pre-pregnancy size within about six weeks. As the uterus shrinks, the internal pressure on the abdominal wall quickly decreases.
This reduction in pressure allows the stretched skin and tissue that formed the “outie” to retract. The belly button typically returns to its former shape, although it may appear slightly different than before pregnancy. The timeline for full retraction can vary, but the change usually becomes noticeable within the first few weeks postpartum.