You can get pregnant with a hernia but it is best to get your hernia repaired before getting pregnant.
If you are planning pregnancy and have a hernia issue diagnosed, consult a hernia specialist and get your hernia repaired. This is because hernias can get complicated over time which can trouble your pregnancy.
Hernias that are small and asymptomatic can be managed without surgery until you recover from your pregnancy after childbirth. But if the hernia case is serious, sort it out with your obstetrician and hernia surgeon about how to go with the hernia repair.
Can You Get Pregnant With a Hernia?
Yes, you can get pregnant with a hernia but the best suggestion would be to get the hernia repaired before pregnancy.
Incarceration, obstruction, and strangulation of hernia can put the mother and child at risk most of the time. So to avoid adverse scenarios during pregnancy due to hernias it is advisable to get hernia repair before pregnancy.
Does Hernia Impact Pregnancy?
Yes, hernias can have a significant impact on pregnancy. Risking the pregnancy through incarceration, obstruction or strangulation is one impact. Other than that hernias can cause pain or discomfort, and add nausea, vomiting, or constipation to the already manifesting pregnancy symptoms.
How to Have a Safe Pregnancy After Hernia Repair?
To have a safe pregnancy after a hernia repair make sure to:
- Maintain a sound abdominal wall tone
- Eat a protein-rich diet
- Do moderate exercising
- Have your diabetes in control
- Avoid smoking
- Maintain a healthy BMI (Body Mass Index)
- Inform the obstetrician about the hernia repair
The Causes of Hernia During Pregnancy
You can get a hernia during pregnancy too, that is, pregnancy can cause a hernia most times. This is due to:
- Weak abdominal wall
- Defective abdominal wall from birth
- Increased abdominal pressure due to the growing womb
- Abdominal fluid
- Obesity
- Chronic cough
- Chronic constipation
- Heavy lifting, etc.
Signs and Symptoms of a Hernia During Pregnancy
The symptoms of a hernia during pregnancy include:
- A visible bulge
- Pain or discomfort in the local and adjacent region
- Naueas
- Vomiting
- Constipation, etc.
Some women may not feel any pain because of the hernia. Others may find a visible bulge of the hernia with some pain in that region.
The signs of a hernia will become prominent when you engage in active exercise, bend, sneeze, cough, or laugh heavily.
Should a Hernia Be Fixed When You Are Pregnant?
Fixing a hernia during pregnancy requires careful consideration of the timing and kind of hernia repair method employed.
There are three options of hernia repair methods to choose from in case the hernia demands surgery during pregnancy.
- Using mesh to fix the hernia
- Using bioabsorbable mesh
- Using sutures to repair the hernia
Using a synthetic mesh can lower the recurrence of the hernia but the mesh may hinder the pregnancy process. Sutures on the other hand have a higher hernia recurrence rate.
Also, the hernia repair can be done only during the second trimester of pregnancy. Repairing a hernia during the first trimester may cause miscarriage and doing it during the trimester can cause pre-term labor.
So, it is best to consult the obstetrician and a hernia specialist before deciding on the kind and method of hernia surgery.
Can a Hernia Be Repaired During a C-section?
There is an option to repair a hernia during a C-section procedure. This method is employed in the case of a severe hernia that needs to be addressed.
If a Caesarean procedure is accompanied by a hernia repair, it will make the surgery duration longer. The combination of C-section and hernia repair procedures is usually considered safe. However, you can opt for this surgical procedure only if your obstetrician and hernia surgeon consent to it.
Conclusion
Hernias during pregnancy or while planning pregnancy can be a nuisance. Since there are possibilities for the hernia to hinder your pregnancy, it is only best to not take the hernia issue lightly.
Women who are of reproductive age and are planning pregnancy must get checked for hernia before getting pregnant.
Contact your obstetrician immediately, followed by consulting a hernia specialist if you experience any symptoms of a hernia.
To know more about hernia before or during pregnancy contact a hernia specialist.
