Q: My wife, 35 years old, is suffering from umbilical hernia. She is 32 weeks pregnant with our second child. We consulted a doctor who suggests a caesarean delivery. We consulted another doctor who suggested us to wait and then have a normal delivery. What is your advice? Should we go for a c-section or should we wait for a normal delivery? Will the hernia aggravate and cause complications if we go for a normal delivery?

A:As such, an umbilical hernia is not an indication for c-section. If the hernia is small, there may be no problem during delivery. One can give a final answer at around 38 weeks of pregnancy. If problem arises during labour, then one can go in for C-section and repair at same sitting (but then there is no option). Also, a hernia repair soon after delivery may not be as satisfactory (as muscles are stretched and lax due to pregnancy) as a repair done after at least 8 weeks following delivery.