LINEA NIGRA: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW!
Written by Caroline Meyer
Your body undergoes a vast array of changes while you are pregnant. You may find hair growing where it didn’t before, your organs may be in places they are not used to being, you might crave the strangest things and for some women, they even experience colour changes to their labia from pink to bluish in colour. Another colour change which is a lot more common is a line which runs down the belly, which is known as the Linea Nigra.
What is the Linea Nigra?
It is theorized that the body may produce more melanin (skin pigment compound) during pregnancy which results in the line which usually runs from the belly button down to the top of the pubis, although it can extend upwards as well. This line is usually unnoticed and is where the connective tissue of the abdominal muscles meet. The fluctuating hormones in the body may be the reason for the excess melanin.
It doesn’t matter what colour your skin is naturally, you can still develop a Linea Nigra (Latin for black line) although it presents more often in women with darker skin tones. Women who develop a Linea Nigra often experience other skin colouration changes such as on the areola and face. Up to 75% of pregnant women will experience some skin pigment changes. It is completely natural and of no concern to your baby’s well-being.
How long before it goes away?
Some women enjoy the look of their pregnancy stripe but it is a temporary addition to your belly. The Linea Nigra will start fading once your hormones start settling back down and will be gone within 3 months after having your little bundle of joy.
Can I prevent it?
The Linea Nigra is not preventable and is perfectly normal during pregnancy. There is nothing that prevents it and once you have it, it has to go away naturally. Do not use bleaching creams or lighteners on your belly while pregnant or breastfeeding. It is unlikely to change the look of the Linea Nigra but it can potentially harm your baby.
Once you have had your baby, and only if you are formula feeding, you can try a skin lightener, fade cream or topical retinol to lighten the skin but there is no need to use chemicals on the line. Some women swear by rubbing a little lemon juice on the skin to remove the hyperpigmentation, but there is no scientific proof of this phenomenon either.
The best way to treat your belly during pregnancy and breastfeeding is to gently exfoliate and rub your belly with a blend of cocoa butter and vitamin E. This will keep your growing tummy nice and smooth and may also help with stretchmarks without doing any harm. Keep the belly unexposed to the sun without strong sunscreen.
It is preferable to keep your tummy covered while you are in the sun. A tan on the skin can make the Linea Nnigra present even darker. Don’t use tanning beds during pregnancy and avoid them until after the line has completely faded.
Myths of the Linea Nigra
Along with tales of determining the babies gender by how you are carrying or what your cravings are, comes the myth of the Linea Nigra. The theory is that the Linea Nigra can determine whether you are having a boy or a girl. If it is a boy, the line will extend past your navel and upwards and in the opposite direction if you are having a girl. This myth proves true about half of the time, the same as other stories. Nowadays, if you want to know the gender, it is probably easiest just to ask during your scans.
Your body may go through many strange and wonderful changes while you are pregnant, but rest assured, most of these changes will disappear within a few months of having your little one. For some women, there will be reminders such as stretch marks or scars, but the Linea Nigra is not going to be one of them. It will fade away naturally, leaving your tummy unstriped (or not so you would notice) until the next time.