It is likely that during pregnancy a hyperpigmented line appears on your belly that seems to separate it in two. It does not come out for all women, and some are more noticeable than others.
It is the so-called linea alba , which appears due to the action of hormones around the fourth or fifth month of pregnancy.
The linea alba is quite common, especially in dark-skinned women, and extends from the pubis to the navel, sometimes up to the sternum.
But why is it called the linea alba if it is dark? Originally, when the woman is not pregnant, the line is whitish in color, in some cases almost imperceptible. It is also known as the black line or black line .
Why does the alba line appear?
Elevated levels of progesterone and estrogens stimulate melanin production , making the skin more pigmented. Just as the nipples and genitals darken and dark spots may appear on the face (chloasma gravidarum), this dark line is also likely to appear on the abdomen.
It can intensify if you are pregnant in the summer and expose your belly to the sun, but this does not affect it in any way. Always use your usual sun protection.
There are women who wear it with great pride while others do not like it very much. In any case, it usually disappears after pregnancy when hormonal levels stabilize.
Photo by Daniel Reche from Pexels
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