Many pregnant women have the well-known Linea Nigra or Linea Alba pregnant line.
You may even have it yourself!
Linea Nigra pregnancy line is very common and a natural part of pregnancy!
Don’t freak out if you see this dark line on your belly!
Linea Alba or Linea Nigra is a dark vertical line that typically runs from the pubic area to the belly button and can sometimes go higher.
We will explain what causes Linea Nigra pregnancy line and how long it lasts!
This post is all about Pregnant Belly Line, Linea Nigra.
Who gets Linea Nigra line?
First of all, not everyone can get this line during pregnancy. It tends to run in women with darker complexions.
However, I know women that have fair skin and also had the Linea Nigra pregnancy line. So, light skin or fair skinned women can also get this black line running down their pregnant belly as well.
Women with darker skin have more melanin production so it may be easier to see their darkened line on their pregnant belly.
Linea Nigra is also known to get darker with more pregnancies or lighter with each pregnancy.
Everyone seems to react differently with this pregnant belly line.
Normally, we all have a faint line or band called a linea alba that runs down the midline of the pubic area. Pregnant or not, it is there but is too fair to see and often times just a white line.
However, during pregnancy, hormonal changes and increased melanin production can cause this line to darken and then become noticeable.
Causes for Linea Nigra Line
They say the specific cause is unknown (source) but it seems to be related to hormone changes.
Women go through a ton of hormonal changes during pregnancy which throws things totally out of whack with their bodies.
One of the changes has to do with the melanocyte-stimulating hormone. This hormone is created by the placenta and may be a contributing factor in creating the dark vertical line we see.
Another cause is increased blood flow. Increased blood circulation to the skin during pregnancy can also play a role in skin darkening.
Genetics can influence how prominently linea nigra appears. Some women may have a natural predisposition to developing darker skin pigmentation due to their family history.
Appearance of the Linea Nigra Line
Normally, the pregnancy belly line appears around the later half of the first trimester of pregnancy or the second trimester.
The pregnancy belly line can look different on every woman and be different during each pregnancy. Some women only have a faint line where others with darker skin tones may have a darker more prominent line on their belly.
The length of the Linea nigra line also varies by each woman as well. It typically runs from the pubic area to the belly button or higher.
The line may start off faint and darken over time. Its appearance can vary from person to person.
Factors such as skin tone and ethnicity can influence its visibility.
Below are some photos of different pregnancies with the Linea Nigra Line.
Is Linea Nigra a Gender Predictor?
Many people believe that if you have Linea nigra pregnancy line, that it means you’ll be having a baby girl.
This is an old wives’ tale!
I know many women who have had the pregnancy line and were pregnant with a baby boy! I had four pregnancies and I had the Linea Nigra line with all 4, all three girls and a boy!
Linea nigra line does not discriminate! It was a little bit darker with my boy than when I was pregnant with my girls, that was the only difference.
Also, my boy’s Linea Nigra didn’t appear until much later in my pregnancy. That was the only other difference I noticed.
While some old wives’ tales suggest that the length or darkness of the Linea Nigra can indicate whether you’re having a boy or a girl, there is no scientific evidence to support this claim.
The myth says:
- If the Linea Nigra stops at the belly button, you’re having a girl.
- If the Linea Nigra extends past the belly button to the ribs, you’re having a boy.
To learn more about baby boy pregnancy symptoms and see if you’re having a boy or girl, click here.
Can you Prevent Linea Nigra Line?
No, there is nothing you can do to prevent the pregnancy line from appearing. As mentioned above, it is a natural thing many pregnant women have!
No need to be ashamed of it and you might even miss it when it’s gone!
When Does this Pregnancy Line go away?
Linea Nigra line will gradually fade away.
Once you have your baby, and your pregnancy hormones all leave your body, you will slowly see the line fading away.
If you are in your postpartum months and still notice the faint line, here are some options to lighten it up your Linea Nigra line a little bit!
Scrub your belly (this is after you have the baby, of course) with a good exfoliating scrub or sponge and some lemon lightening scrub!
Here are ones that work great below:
Sun exposure may actually make the line a little darker! You should be using a good sunscreen during pregnancy, here is another reason to if you don’t like your Linea Nigra line!
Stretch Marks around the Linea Nigra Line
If you are also experiencing stretch marks during your pregnancy around or new the Linea Nigra line, there are some things that can help with that as well.
I swear by using this stretch mark cream below! I used it through all four of my pregnancies and never had any stretch marks.
To learn the exact steps of how I used this stretch mark cream to avoid stretch marks, click here.
Or this one, they are both very similar;
Conclusion
Again, this is a common part of pregnancy that is completely normal. If you have any questions or concerns, reach out to your health care provider or medical professionals for more information.
Pregnancy Must-Haves to help you survive your first, second, and third trimesters:
| Image | Title | Price | Buy |
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 | Palmer's Cocoa Butter Formula Daily Skin Therapy Solid Lotion with Vitamin E, Body Moisturizer for Extremely Dry Skin, Softens and Soothes, 7.25 Ounces, (Pack of 1) | Buy Now | |
 | Palmer's Cocoa Butter Formula Pregnancy Skin Care Kit for Stretch Marks and Scars, Dermatologist Approved, Gift for Mom to Be, 4 Piece Full Size Set | Buy Now | |
 | Momcozy Pregnancy Belly Band, CozySupport Ergonest Maternity Belly Band, Invisible Pregnancy Belt for Back, Abdomen, Waist | Buy Now | |
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 | Aromasong Pregnancy Bath Soak 3 LB - 100% Pure Magnesium Flakes with 21 Essential Dead Sea Minerals and Natural Lavender - Better Absorbing Than Epsom Salt | Buy Now |