Health condition
Umbilical hernia
An umbilical hernia is a bulge at or near the navel through a weakness in the abdominal wall; small painless hernias can be watched, while symptomatic ones are repaired with a short operation.
Why trust this guide
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Editorial team
Written by our editorial team from the UK sources listed on each page.
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Sourced from guidance
Checked against current NHS and UK specialist society guidance at the time of review.
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Current for 2026
Reviewed on 2026-09-27 with the next review scheduled for 2027-09-27.
Key facts
The essentials at a glance.
The symptoms to recognise, when to seek help, which specialist to see, and what treatment usually involves.
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Typical symptoms: a soft bulge at the belly button, more obvious on standing or straining
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Risk factors: pregnancy, weight gain, ascites and heavy lifting
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Seek emergency care for a tender, hard lump that will not reduce
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Specialist: a consultant general surgeon; repair is usually a day-case procedure with or without mesh
Understanding the condition
What it is and what happens next.
What causes it, how it is diagnosed, and the treatment routes available in the UK.
What it is and how it feels
The navel is a natural weak spot where the umbilical cord once passed, and in adults raised abdominal pressure, from pregnancy, weight, chronic cough or fluid, can push fat or bowel through it. Small hernias may only be noticeable as a bulge when straining; larger ones ache and slowly enlarge.
Diagnosis and treatment routes
Assessment confirms the diagnosis and gauges the defect; small asymptomatic hernias can safely be observed, while discomfort, growth or cosmetic concern favours repair, stitched closure for the smallest defects and mesh reinforcement for larger ones. Because fat trapped in a tight umbilical defect can strangulate, a suddenly painful, irreducible lump needs same-day care. In many parts of the UK, routine NHS referrals for this kind of problem currently take 20-45+ weeks, whereas an initial appointment with a private consultant is typically available within around two weeks.
Seeing a specialist
Who to see, and how quickly you can be seen.
The specialist for this condition is usually a consultant general surgeon. Your GP can refer you on the NHS, or you can arrange a private consultation directly.
A quiet reminder
This guide is for information, not medical advice.
Your GP knows your history and can tell you which parts apply to you. If in doubt, see them - and seek urgent care for any of the emergency symptoms described above.
Frequently asked
Common questions about Umbilical hernia.
Quick, plain-English answers to what people ask us most.
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What is an umbilical hernia?
It is a bulge near the belly button that occurs when part of the intestine or fatty tissue pushes through a weak spot in the abdominal muscles around the navel.
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What causes an umbilical hernia?
In babies, it results from incomplete closure of the opening where the umbilical cord passed through before birth; in adults, it can develop due to increased abdominal pressure from obesity, pregnancy, heavy lifting, or chronic coughing.
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What are the symptoms of an umbilical hernia?
A soft bulge near the navel, sometimes more noticeable when coughing, straining or standing, that may cause mild discomfort; it usually reduces (flattens) when lying down or gently pushed.
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Is an umbilical hernia dangerous?
Most are not dangerous, but there's a small risk of the hernia becoming trapped (incarcerated) or losing blood supply (strangulated), which is a surgical emergency causing severe pain and requiring urgent treatment.
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Can an umbilical hernia be cured without surgery?
In infants, many umbilical hernias close on their own by the age of two to four without treatment; in adults, they typically don't resolve on their own and usually require surgical repair if causing symptoms or growing.
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How is an umbilical hernia treated?
In children, watchful waiting is usually appropriate as many close spontaneously; in adults, surgical repair, often as a minimally invasive day-case procedure, is the standard treatment, particularly if the hernia is symptomatic or enlarging.
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How long does recovery take after umbilical hernia surgery?
Most people return to light activities within one to two weeks and to full activity, including heavy lifting, within four to six weeks, depending on the surgical approach.
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Umbilical hernia vs incisional hernia - what's the difference?
An umbilical hernia occurs at the natural weak point of the navel, while an incisional hernia develops through a weakness at the site of a previous surgical incision; both are repaired using similar surgical techniques.
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When is surgery needed for an umbilical hernia?
Surgery is generally recommended for adults with a symptomatic or enlarging hernia, and for children whose hernia hasn't closed by around age four or is causing problems.
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When should I seek urgent care for a hernia, and how quickly can I see a specialist privately?
Seek urgent care if a hernia becomes very painful, red, or won't push back in, as this may be strangulated and needs emergency surgery. For routine assessment, private surgeons can often see you within about two weeks; NHS surgical waits are typically longer.