Linea Nigra: Pregnancy Line, Causes, When Does It Go Away, All You Need To Know

The dark vertical line that appears on the skin of a woman’s stomach during pregnancy is called linea nigra.

It’s also called the pregnancy line. It runs from women belly button to their public area but can extend towards their abdomen.

The linea nigra may appear darker as women’s pregnancy develops and is more visible in people with darker complexions. Linea nigra is Latin for “black line.”

When do women get the linea nigra?

Women always have a linea nigra, but it’s nearly invisible until their hormones rise during pregnancy. In most people, the linea nigra darkens enough to be visible in the second trimester (around 20 weeks). Before a woman is pregnant, the line is called linea alba or “white line.” When she is pregnant and the line gets dark and visible, it’s called linea nigra.

When does the linea nigra go away?

The linea nigra will fade after pregnancy when hormone levels return to regular levels. The fading is gradual over several weeks or months. In some cases, it doesn’t entirely disappear or takes a lot longer to go away.

Does everyone get a linea nigra?

Up to about 80% of pregnant people will have a linea nigra, but it may be more or less noticeable depending on your skin color. Those with darker complexions tend to have a more pronounced linea nigra compared to those with fair complexions. This is because people with darker skin have more pigmentation than those with light skin.

What is the linea nigra for?

No one is sure what the linea nigra is for. Some have speculated that the darker color helps a newborn baby find its way up to the breasts to nurse (breastfeed). There are other old wives’ tales that you may hear about the linea nigra, but none have been proven.

What makes the linea nigra appear during pregnancy?

The linea nigra appears naturally during pregnancy because of the higher levels of hormones in your body. The exact cause isn’t known, but most healthcare providers believe that the melanocyte-stimulating hormone created by the placenta causes melanin to rise during pregnancy. Melanin is responsible for giving your skin its color.

This increase in melanin causes your skin to darken during pregnancy. This same hormone is responsible for causing melasma and darker areolas. No one is sure why certain areas of the body are affected and others are not.

Why do I have a linea nigra when I’m not pregnant?

Linea nigra can appear in children and people who are not pregnant. The linea nigra doesn’t always fade completely, leaving some people with a permanent, faint linea nigra after they deliver their baby.

Healthcare providers are not entirely sure why the linea nigra gets darker in nonpregnant people, but it seems to be connected to hormones. Certain medications or underlying health conditions could contribute to making your linea alba appear darker. Talk to your healthcare provider if you are not pregnant but have a visible linea nigra.

NOTE:

You can’t prevent getting the linea nigra. It’s connected to hormone changes in your body. It will lessen and fade away after your baby is born.

The linea nigra is not associated with any medical conditions during pregnancy. It’s a completely normal part of being pregnant.

You can’t make it go away. Using a bleaching cream may be an option after your baby is born, but only if you are not breastfeeding.

It’s more than likely it will appear each pregnancy.