During your pregnancy, have you noticed a dark vertical line that falls between the belly button and the pubic area? I’m sure this mysterious line has always left us thinking of the cause and its prominence on your stomach. This is what is known as the Linea Nigra, which has always been there and only gets darker by the second trimester or around the 23rd week of pregnancy.
Why does the linea nigra appear during pregnancy ?
The linea nigra is meant to have always been a zip line between the belly button and the pubic area and only gets darker with pregnancy, this is caused by hormonal changes. These changes are behind the appearance of the linea nigra, known as the “black line” in Latin. Generally, this condition of the darkening linea alba will not be noticed but the “white” or “colorless line” of the skin makes it difficult to notice, irrespective of it running down to your pelvis.
On the other hand, the skin all over the body tends to become hyperpigmented or rather darkened in pregnancy along with the skin on your face. This is known as the melasma, or the “mask of pregnancy,” or newly darker areolas. In cases of women with darker skin, it tends to become even more pronounced.
What do the experts say about Linea Nigra ?
With the darkening of the linea nigra, there are numerous accounts of beliefs people tend to agree upon. Here are two major beliefs exposed and fun to know about:
1. By the experts
Certain experts have theorized this dark line that grows in your belly as a chalk of evolution. Also, the more visible the Linea Nigra gets, it is seen as a line that perhaps helps the newborns who fail to see very clearly, to find their way to the breast to nurse themselves. Isn’t this just an amazing fact to know?
2. By the old wives
Here is a fun tale to know about. We are all aware of how old wives and midwives were involved in the old times, especially during the time of an expecting mother. They (here the old wived) believed that if the linea nigra runs only to the navel, you are expecting to have a girl and if it is to run past the belly button towards the ribs, it’s a boy (Well, of course, these are just beliefs and are not backed by the scientific facts.
What can be done about the linea nigra during pregnancy ?
Here are a couple of quick tips that can help you make the linea nigra less pronounced:
1. Cover it up
No, we do not mean covering it up with clothes! But, try covering it with a tan. This can help you intensify your skin discoloration during your pregnancy. The easiest way of doing so is by using at least SPF 30 sunscreen and then to keep the tummy covered as much as possible.
2. Eat healthily, stay wealthy
One of the reasons for an increase in hyperpigmentation is a sheer deficiency of folic acid. To help aid this deficiency, try consuming healthy food-induced in your pregnancy diet with foods that have plenty of folates. For instance, green leafy vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and prenatal vitamins.
How to prevent the linea nigra from appearing in your pregnancy? When does it go away?
Ok! Wearing clothes and covering the region in the direct sun does help prevent or minimize the appearance of the linea nigra. So be sure to cover your tummy region by wearing clothing as much as possible, slathering the skin exposed in the sunscreen.
Most importantly, you need not worry much about the appearance of the linea nigra as it gradually fades away all on its own in a few months after the birth of the baby. Meantime, embrace the linea nigra that makes the growing bump absolutely beautiful.
Isn’t linea nigra an amazing topic to know about? Irrespective of it not being supported by the scientists! However, did you know of another method that is perhaps also not scientifically proven but has been known to decipher the gender of the baby? This method is known as the Ramzi Method. Just like the Linea Nigra is seen by the old wives as a way of understanding and concluding the gender of the baby, Dr. Ramzi came up with the Ramzi method.
To Conclude :
Linea nigra is a line that falls in between the belly button to the pelvic region. The fun fact about this curious line is that it has always been there and only darkens with your pregnancy. Along with many idealized readings and beliefs, it is perhaps nothing to fear or isn’t a sign of anything dangerous but a pigmented line. So, do not fear, eat healthily, and the linea nigra will eventually fade away.
