I took mine out as well as my nipple piercing didnt hurt just thought its best I should then came on t'internet and found out they do maternity ones which are like Yvanne said - plastic and bendy, its up to you.
Mines still in I will leave it in as long as possible. I've had it in for 6 years!!! But I'll take it out when the belly is stretched too far. And it didn't hurt at any point for me. Just felt normal
I took mine out yesterday. Not because it hurt, but because of my little pouch and my tight clothes you can totally see it and it bugs me. I'm gonna check out the pregnancy ones though. I don't like what my belly button looks like without it.
I had mine for 4 years before I got preggie.. never once got infected.
Once I got pregnant it kept getting infected, I was told it was hormones.
That could be what yours is doing.
Mine turned red, and even though I took it out after a couple weeks of the "infected"-likeness not going away, there is still a red line between the holes and I am 22 weeks now.. this was over a month ago that I took it out.