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Causes
By Mayo Clinic staffDuring pregnancy, the umbilical cord passes through a small opening in the baby's abdominal muscles. The opening normally closes before birth. If the muscles don't meet together in the midline completely, this weakness in the abdominal wall may cause an umbilical hernia at birth or later in life.
In adults, too much abdominal pressure can cause an umbilical hernia. Possible culprits include:
- Obesity
- Heavy lifting
- Coughing
- Multiple pregnancies
- Fluid in the abdominal cavity (ascites)
