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Published on: 8/20/2026
A hard lump under the belly button after a C-section is relatively common and typically caused by scar tissue (fibrosis), an incisional hernia, or, less often, endometriosis involving the surgical scar. While many post-C-section lumps are harmless, some — especially painful, growing, or protruding ones — may signal a condition that needs medical attention.
Because the causes range from benign healing to hernias requiring repair, it's important to understand what may be driving your symptoms before deciding on next steps. Take a free, instant, online symptom check to get personalized insights and guidance on when to see a doctor.
Reviewed for medical accuracy: 07/15/2026
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After a C-section, many women develop changes in their abdominal wall as it heals. One common outcome is the formation of scar tissue, which can feel firm or hard when you palpate the area under the belly button. In some cases, the scar may weaken and lead to an incisional or umbilical hernia, where internal tissues push through the abnormally healed area, forming a lump. Additionally, there is a possibility of endometriosis developing in the cesarean section scar, which can also present as a hard or tender lump.
While these changes are relatively common and often benign, if the lump is accompanied by pain, grows in size, or causes other symptoms, you can check your symptoms with a free online assessment to better understand your condition before consulting a healthcare provider for further evaluation and appropriate management.
(References)
Li MH, Leng JH, Jiang Y, Lang JH. Abdominal wall lump after cesarean delivery. Obstet Gynecol. 2012 Aug;120(2 Pt 2):494-497. doi: 10.1097/AOG.0b013e318260dbda. PMID: 22825277.
Al-Jabri K. Endometriosis at caesarian section scar. Oman Med J. 2009 Oct;24(4):294-5. doi: 10.5001/omj.2009.59. PMID: 22216383; PMCID: PMC3243870.
Coste AH, Bamarni S, Leslie SW. Umbilical Hernia. [Updated 2024 Feb 27]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2025 Jan-. Available from: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK459312/
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