My wife a 34 year old female has an abdominal lump above her navel area. she has been feeling pain and discomfort recently. please advise what to do and a dr who deals with hernias etc in jhb area ?

Monitor situation: The midline near the navel is a common site for a ventral hernia to form. This is when deeper abdominal contents poke through layers to more superficial skin. As long as the bulge goes back in occasionally & does not become trapped/give pain there is no immediate risk. As a USA based site we have no access to or information about your local docs.

Need Physical exam.: I would recommend that she reduce any activity such as sit-ups. This causes a great deal of stress o the upper abdominal area. By bringing your heels up toward your butt while lying down should relax the area and reduce your pain. Follow up with a hernia surgeon or your PCP would help.