Written By: Tania Tarafdar | Updated : July 8, 2016 5:15 PM IST
Read this in HINDI.
Lately, have you noticed a dark vertical line running between your belly button and your pubic area? That is known as the linea nigra which starts appearing during the second trimester or around week 23 of pregnancy. We got Dr Poonam Agarwal, consulting gynaecologist at Bombay Hospital to tell us what causes it.
The pregnancy hormones responsible for your dark nipples also cause that dark line on your belly. Before the black line appears, you may notice a lighter white line known as the linea alba. The white line across your belly and your pelvis always existed, it was just difficult to see on your non-pregnant flat belly. The same white line gets darkened due to the increased production of the pigment melanin during pregnancy. The progesterone and oestrogen stimulate cells called melanocytes, causing them to produce more melanin. The linea nigra or the dark line is likely to be more pronounced if your complexion is dark.
What can you do about it?
While linea nigra may not be the most welcoming physical change, the line gradually fades after the delivery of your baby. However, you can still follow a few tips to make it less pronounced.
Image source: Getty Images
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