Does a streak of your pubic bone develop into your belly button in one go during your pregnancy and perhaps even further than your belly button? That is called one pregnancy mark also called linea nigra. Approximately three quarters of pregnant women receive a pregnancy mark. Fortunately, it is not harmful! Read more about this line here!
What is a pregnancy stripe or linea nigra?
A pregnancy stripe is a dark, vertical line that runs from your pubic bone to your belly button and sometimes also goes up from your belly button. The line is on the spot where your abdominal muscles are driven apart by your growing uterus. It is not caused by your abdominal muscles, but by your hormones.
It will come as no surprise to you that your hormone balance is quite messed up during pregnancy. As a result, among other things, the production of pigment from your skin is increased. Some spots on your skin become darker and the pregnancy line also belongs to that. Another phenomenon that is caused by this change in pigmentation is a pregnancy mask.
Actually you always have a vertical line on your body, but it is so light that it is invisible. This line, which every woman has, is called linea alba. Because your pigmentation is different during pregnancy, this light streak turns dark in many women. It is no longer called linea alba (white stripe), but linea nigra (black stripe), in other words: stretch of stripe.
In most cases the pregnancy streak occurs in the second trimester, ie from the 14th week of your pregnancy. But because all pregnant women are different, it can happen at one person and later at another. If you have a pregnancy line, it can become slightly darker during pregnancy, or perhaps a bit longer.
When does the line go away again?
A pregnancy stripe is caused by hormones. As soon as your hormones are in balance again after delivery, the pregnancy line will gradually disappear. With one this is faster than with the other. If you are breastfeeding, it will take a little longer for the line to disappear, as breastfeeding affects your hormones.
In most women, the line has disappeared or is barely visible a year after the birth. It can (unfortunately) also occur that the line always remains visible to you. Do not be ashamed of yourself, you've just earned it!
Does every pregnant woman receive a pregnancy mark?
Every pregnant woman is different and that means that not everyone receives a pregnancy mark. About three-quarters of the women do get a line, the other ladies do not. If you have a dark skin color, then you are more likely to get a pregnancy line than if you have a light skin color.
There is not so much you can do to prevent a stretch of pregnancy. The only thing you can do is avoid the sun as much as possible with your round belly. The sun also influences your pigmentation and can ensure that the line is visible earlier or at all. Would you like to have your belly in the sun, then spread with a factor of 50!
It is sometimes said that your stretch of pregnancy is a predictor of your baby's gender. If the stretch of pregnancy runs from your pubic bone to your navel, you will get a girl. If the line goes further than your navel, you will get a boy. And? Is this right for you?
Do you have a 'pregnancy mark' but are you not pregnant? Which can! Although it is not really called a pregnancy stripe, of course. Every woman has a vertical line (the linea alba). This is only not visible because the line is very white. It is best that there is a deviating pigmentation or abnormal hormonal balance, so that your stripe is always visible.