What to Know About the Linea Nigra (aka That Line on Your Belly)

Pregnancy can come with some unpleasant body changes, like sudden indigestion, hemorrhoids and acne breakouts. But other things can be pretty cool—like luscious hair, glowing skin and fuller breasts.

Here’s a fun one to add to the “cool” list: linea nigra, which is the dark line that can develop down the center of your pregnancy belly. It may catch you off guard—but it’s a common part of the pregnancy journey. The majority of pregnant women develop one.

I knew nothing about linea nigra when I was expecting my first child, and I originally thought the line I was developing was from my clothes pushing against my expanding belly. When it got darker with time, I started asking questions and was surprised to discover that so many women experience this during pregnancy.

So what is linea nigra—and when does it appear and fade? Here’s what you need to know about the pregnancy line on your stomach.

Key Takeaways

• Linea nigra, which is Latin for “black line,” is a line that runs down the middle of your belly during pregnancy. It’s a common and harmless pregnancy side effect.
• About 80 percent of pregnant women will have a linea nigra.
• Like many skin fluctuations during pregnancy, linea nigra is caused by hormonal changes.
• Linea nigra typically appears during the second or third trimester of pregnancy.
• Linea nigra fades gradually in the weeks and months after birth, but for some, it may never completely fade.

What Is Linea Nigra?

Linea nigra, which is Latin for “black line,” is a streak running from your belly button to your pubic region that may develop and darken during pregnancy, according to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG). (It’s also sometimes referred to as the linea gravidarum.)

“It looks like a thin line going down the middle of the abdomen,” explains Ryan Elizabeth Offer, MD, an ob-gyn with Penn Medicine and medical director at Penn Health for Women at Radnor. The length, width and color of this pregnant belly line varies from person to person.

It’s important to note that this dark line on your stomach is completely harmless. “Pregnant women can be reassured that linea nigra isn’t harmful and has no adverse effect on pregnancy outcomes or baby,” assures Jessica Shepherd, MD, an ob-gyn and founder of Sanctum Med + Wellness in Dallas, Texas. In fact, it can be something to celebrate too—a mom-to-be badge of honor.

How Common Is Linea Nigra in Pregnancy?

If you have a linea nigra, you’re joining a pretty big club. Again, around 80 percent of expectant moms may experience this skin change. “It’s more obvious in some skin tones than others,” Offer says.

What Does the Linea Nigra Look Like?

The linea nigra is basically a line dividing your belly in half. “Linea nigra is simply the increase in pigmentation of the skin,” adds Julie Lamppa, APRN, a certified nurse-midwife at the Mayo Clinic and the author of Obstetricks. “Linea nigra can look slightly different on everyone,” and it may be more obvious if you have darker skin, continues Christine Greves, MD, a board-certified ob-gyn at the Winnie Palmer Hospital for Women & Babies in Orlando. People with darker skin have more melanocytes, which are pigment-producing cells, making them more prone to getting this line, adds Michael Cackovic, MD, a maternal-fetal medicine physician at the Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center.

Linea nigra examples

If you’d like to see linea nigra examples, check them out below.

What Causes Linea Nigra?

Linea nigra is just one of the many skin changes that can happen during pregnancy. “Almost all pregnant women develop some type of hyperpigmentation in their skin in certain areas,” Cackovic says.

Many pregnant women notice their areolas darkening or experience dark patches of skin that appear on the face, known as melasma. These melanocytes are likely stimulated by hormones like estrogen and progesterone, which surge in your body during pregnancy, Greves explains.

When Does Linea Nigra Appear?

No two pregnancies are alike, and side effects like linea nigra are the same way. This signature belly line can technically show up at any point in your pregnancy, but it’ll typically surface at some point in the second or third trimester, Lamppa says. Again, not everyone gets linea nigra. Either way, your pregnancy body is beautiful—and uniquely yours.

When Does Linea Nigra Go Away?

If you’re wondering when the linea nigra will go away, you’ll have to be patient. There’s no clear-cut answer: The truth is, it depends. In all likelihood, you’ll probably notice some changes in your skin soon after baby is born. “As hormonal levels start to decrease and stabilize, linea nigra should start to fade in the weeks and months after birth,” Lamppa says. Still, Cackovic adds that it can take up to a year or longer for linea nigra to fade in some people. What’s more, for others, this pregnancy line may never completely go away.

I’ve had a wide range of experiences with the linea nigra: It went away within a few days after my first child, took a few months to go away with my second and third, and lingered for a few weeks after baby No. 4.

Can You Prevent the Appearance of Linea Nigra?

There’s no definitive known way to avoid linea nigra. Lamppa recommends embracing the line. “Remember that your body has amazingly grown a baby, and your body will never quite be the same—and that’s okay,” she emphasizes. The linea nigra is proof that you can do amazing things.

Other Common Skin Changes in Pregnancy

Aside from linea nigra, there are other common skin changes that can show up in pregnancy. Here are a few to keep on your radar:

• Melasma. Also known as the “mask of pregnancy,” melasma is a darkening or hyperpigmentation of your face, Offer explains. To help avoid it, she suggests staying out of the sun, using sunscreen regularly and wearing a sun hat when you’re outside.
• Stretch marks. It’s very common to get stretch marks on your abdomen, butt, hips, upper thighs and/or breasts during pregnancy. Stretch marks can fade after delivery, but they don’t completely go away, says Offer. If you’d like to minimize their appearance, there are procedures such as laser therapy you can try—as well as stretch mark creams, although there’s not a whole lot of scientific evidence that they work. We say embrace them—they’re yet another beautiful badge of honor to wear during your pregnancy and new mom journey!
• Acne. You may develop acne during your pregnancy, even if you had clear skin before, says ACOG. While it might be frustrating to deal with, you’re certainly not alone. You should stay away from topical retinoids during pregnancy, but many gentle OTC acne treatments are fair game. Plus, it helps to hydrate, limit stress—and avoid picking!
• Dry skin. Itchiness and dry skin are common complaints during pregnancy. Again, hydration is key—as is using a gentle moisturizer and humidifier, and avoiding hot showers.

To Sum It Up

Linea nigra is a common side effect of pregnancy, and it’s completely harmless. It’s one of many skin changes you may notice in the coming days, weeks and months. If you notice a line developing down your belly, take pride in this beautiful mark of pregnancy. You’re growing a life inside you, after all!

Please note: The Bump and the materials and information it contains are not intended to, and do not constitute, medical or other health advice or diagnosis and should not be used as such. You should always consult with a qualified physician or health professional about your specific circumstances.