Linea Nigra: Here's What Happened to Your Pregnancy Belly Line
Don't worry if a dark line suddenly appears along your belly during the second or third trimester of pregnancy. It's completely normal and completely harmless.
Pregnancy can bring some unusual physical changes, like hair in places you didn't expect, sudden indigestion, hemorrhoids, and acne. But there's a lesser-known surprise to add to the growing list of pregnancy compliments: Linea nigra. This dark line that can develop down the middle of your abdomen may surprise you. So what is linea nigra, when does it appear, and what—if anything—can you do to make it go away? Here's what you need to know about the pregnancy line on your stomach.
What is linea nigra?
Linea nigra, Latin for "black line," is a line that runs from your belly button to your pubic area and may develop and darken during pregnancy, according to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG). The length, width, and color of this pregnancy belly line vary from person to person.
Its appearance may make you do a double take, but don't worry. "Linea nigra is simply an increase in skin pigmentation," says Julie Lamba, APRN, a certified nurse-midwife at the Mayo Clinic and author of Obstetrics. "Linea nigra can look a little different on everyone" and may be more noticeable if you have darker skin, says Christine Greves, M.D., a board-certified ob-gyn at the Winnie Palmer Hospital for Women and Babies. People with darker skin have more melanocytes, pigment-producing cells, making them more likely to get this line, explains Michael Cackovic, M.D., a maternal-fetal medicine physician at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center.
It's important to emphasize that this dark line on your stomach isn't something that will affect you or your baby. "Pregnant women can be reassured that linea nigra is not harmful and has no negative impact on the outcome of the pregnancy or the baby," says Jessica Shepherd, MD, an ob-gyn and founder of Sanctum Med + Wellness in Dallas, Texas. "It's just one of those things you may (or may not) have to deal with for a while."
Does everyone get linea nigra?
While linea nigra is common, not every mother will get it. In fact, there's no way to know if it's something you'll develop during pregnancy. "We don't know why some people get it and others don't," says Greaves. Of course, having more pigment-producing cells may make you more susceptible to it, but it's certainly not a guarantee. If you've had linea nigra once, you're more likely to get it in subsequent pregnancies, too.
What causes linea nigra?
Linea nigra is just one of the many skin changes that can occur during pregnancy. "Almost all pregnant women experience some type of hyperpigmentation in certain areas," says Cackovic. For example, many pregnant women notice darkening of the areola or develop dark patches of skin on the face, known as melasma. Greves explains that these melanocytes are likely stimulated by hormones like estrogen and progesterone, which increase in your body during pregnancy.
Unfortunately, there's no known way to prevent blackheads. While you may not like the appearance of them, the important thing to remember is that they are completely normal.
When does linea nigra appear?
Lamba says this distinctive linea nigra can technically appear at any time during pregnancy, but it typically appears sometime during the second or third trimester. Again, not everyone gets the linea nigra. Either way, there's no reason to worry.
What is the purpose of the linea nigra?
While some of the physical changes that occur during pregnancy, such as breast growth, have a biological purpose, experts say there's no clear reason your body needs to develop the linea nigra. You can write this off as one of the many pregnancy mysteries. "There's no biological purpose to it," says Greaves.
Sorry to spoil your fun, but if you've heard the old wives' tale that the length of your linea nigra will determine whether you're having a boy or a girl, we're here to debunk that myth. (Specifically, it claims that if your linea nigra starts below your belly button, you're having a girl; if it extends above your navel, you're having a boy.) While this is a fun guessing game to test, Greves emphasizes that it's not a legitimate way to determine a baby's sex.
When does linea nigra go away?
If you're wondering when your linea nigra will disappear, you'll have to be patient. There's no definitive answer: the truth is, it depends. But in all likelihood, you'll likely notice some changes in your skin shortly after the baby is born. "As your hormone levels begin to decrease and stabilize, the linea nigra should begin to fade in the weeks and months following delivery," says Lampa. However, Cackovic adds that it can take up to a year or more for the linea nigra to fade for some people. Furthermore, for others, the linea nigra may never disappear completely.
There are no home remedies you can use to get rid of linea nigra during or after pregnancy. If it continues to fade after the baby is born, consider seeing a dermatologist. Cackovic says they may recommend skin-lightening agents, chemical peels, or laser and light treatments to try to fade the line. Another tip? Use a good sunscreen when your stomach is exposed. The sun's UV rays can worsen hyperpigmentation spots.
You may not be thrilled with the appearance of your pregnancy belly line, but try not to stress about it and be patient. "Remember that your body has grown an amazing baby, and your body will never be the same again—and that's okay," says Lamba. The linea nigra is proof that you can do amazing things.
About the experts:
Michael Cackovic, MD, is a maternal-fetal medicine physician at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center. He received his medical degree from the MCP Hahnemann School of Medicine at The Ohio State University.
Christine Graves, MD, is an obstetrician-gynecologist at Winnie Palmer Hospital for Women and Babies in Orlando, Florida. She received her medical degree from the University of South Florida.
Julie Lamba, APRN, is a certified nurse-midwife at Mayo Clinic and author of Obstetrics. She received her degree from the University of Minnesota Medical School in Minneapolis.
Jessica Shepherd, MD, is an obstetrician-gynecologist and founder of Sanctum Med + Wellness in Dallas, Texas. She received her medical degree from Ross University School of Medicine in Barbados.