That dark, vertical line on your belly is called the linea nigra—and it's a totally normal part of pregnancy.
One of the joys of being pregnant is watching your belly grow… and grow and grow! But wait—what's that long, vertical dark pregnancy line on your stomach, stretching from your navel down to your pelvis?[1] It's called the linea nigra (pronounced "LIN-ee-UH NYE-gra"), which means "black line" in Latin. Though not all pregnant women develop a linea nigra, many do near the start of the second trimester. Fortunately, the linea nigra poses no harm to mom or baby, so don't worry if you spot it.
While you may notice the linea nigra sometime in the second or third trimester, you've actually had this line of tissue all along. Prior to pregnancy, a fainter and lighter version of it exists where the left and right sides of your abdominal muscles meet; it's called the linea alba, or "white line." Fun fact: Men have this line, too.
So what causes this belly line to get darker during pregnancy? In a word: hormones.[2] As your body creates more estrogen and progesterone to help your baby grow, these hormones cause your skin to produce more melanin—the pigment that gives skin its color.[3] That's what makes the line darken, and you may notice your nipples or the skin on your face growing darker, too.
Some people say that the length of the linea nigra is a clue to your baby's sex—that a longer line means it's a boy, while a shorter line means it's a girl. As fun as it can be to play guessing games, it's a myth! The length or color of the linea nigra has nothing to do with a baby's sex, so you'll just have to wait.
Remember, the linea nigra is a normal part of pregnancy, so there's no need to seek medical treatment for it. There's also no way to prevent it from developing, though protecting your skin from the sun will minimize the line's intensity. Steer clear of topical creams meant to fade dark spots; bleach creams and certain acids aren't safe to use while pregnant or breastfeeding. Besides, for most people, the line will most likely fade in the months after your baby is born[4]—so enjoy every bit of your growing belly in the meantime.
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As with most things, practice makes perfect—and rest assured, you’ll get plenty of diaper-changing practice those first couple of years. In no time you’ll be a pro and be able to tackle your baby’s diaper with confidence. For more tips and resources on all things baby, including nutrition and feeding, be sure to join Enfamil Family Beginnings®. Enjoy up to $400 in savings, plus exclusive rewards, support, and surprises.
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