This dark line smack dab in the middle of my belly is not at all attractive, most mums-to-be think. What causes this pregnancy line? Does everyone have it? Will it ever disappear? What is it for, really? Here’s what you need to know about linea nigra in pregnancy.
What is Linea Nigra?
Pregnancy brings joy and a different kind of high, along with all the (sometimes) unexpected changes to your body.
Weight gain, darkened skin, stretch marks, unwanted hair on parts of your body, morning sickness, and then this: a dark line that appears from your belly button, running down vertically to your pubic area. Oh, please no. But it’s there, and there’s no turning back.
This pregnancy line is the linea nigra.
You may not have noticed it before, but it has always been there; however, it is very light. In fact, before pregnancy, it is called “linea alba” or white line.
As your baby bump gets bigger, the linea nigra becomes more pronounced and visible, especially during the second trimester of pregnancy. The term literally means “black line” in Latin.
Hyperpigmentation is one of the drawbacks of pregnancy. Pregnancy hormones oestrogen and progesterone stimulate cells called melanocytes in your skin, which causes them to produce more melanin, the pigment responsible for tanning and darkening your skin.
And when that line gets even darker as your belly gets bigger, mums get more frustrated and worried that it will forever be there.
Myth About the Linea Nigra
You may have heard somebody say that your linea nigra can tell you the sex of your baby. They believe that if the line runs to your belly button, you’re having a girl, and if it keeps going all the way to your ribs, then you’re going to have a boy. Some say that if the line is dark and pronounced, it signifies that you’re having a boy.
However, these are all just myths and there is no scientific evidence to back these claims.
Will the Linea Nigra Ever Fade Away?
Is my linea nigra permanent? Like other pregnancy changes, it can fade over time. | Image courtesy: Shutterstock
There is no way to keep the linea nigra from becoming darker as your pregnancy progresses, but by staying covered and away from the sun, you should be fine, according to the book What to Expect When You’re Expecting by Heidi Murkoff.
Just give it time, I say. It should naturally fade away or lighten a short while after giving birth. After delivery, hormone levels are bound to gradually return to their original levels, and the colour of that dark line will slowly, but rather surely, become less obvious.
For some it takes three months, for others, it takes about a year. If you have a darker complexion, it might take a bit longer because the linea nigra is darker. Then when you get pregnant again, expect that line to make a comeback.
However, in her book, Murkoff also explains that the linea nigra tends to be lighter on succeeding pregnancies. Some don’t even have it the second or third time around.
ALSO READ:
Pre and Post-Pregnancy Skincare – Tips for Your Best Skin Yet
5 Common Skin Problems During Pregnancy and How to Fix Them
Here’s How Much Water You Should Be Drinking During Pregnancy
Some Ways to Manage the Linea Nigra
Dabbing olive oil, 100% Vitamin E oil, and Vitamin E-rich cream, butter or lotion on the line helps lighten it. Keep it moist all the time to prevent further discolouration.
According to some research, folate can help lighten skin discolourations like the linea nigra. Healthy eating is necessary, so load up with leafy greens, beans, lentils, and fresh orange juice, and focus on a folate-rich diet.
Cocoa butter can be of much help, too. It is a stable fat and works wonders as a moisturiser that helps prevent and lighten linea nigra and diminish stretch marks.
You can also use a natural, homemade scrub by mixing lemon, honey and sugar and applying it to the dark line for about 15 minutes. Rinse. Make it a part of your daily skin regimen and you will see positive results in a few months.
Finally, a good night’s sleep greatly helps in regenerating your cells.
Republished with permission from theAsianParent Philippines
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