Linea Nigra - a dark line that stretches across the abdomen during pregnancy

Linea Nigra means "black line" in Latin and symbolises life. It may be more visible in some pregnant women than in others, and it can be more prominent in people with darker skin tones. It is also common to notice a change in skin tone around the nipples.

It is not entirely clear why this pigmentation change occurs during pregnancy, but it is believed to be due to increased levels of hormones in the body. During pregnancy, the production of hormones such as melanotropin and estrogen increases, which can lead to an increase in skin pigment.

According to old superstitions, it is said that the sex of the baby can be revealed by the length of Linea Nigra. For example, a line that extends up to the navel would indicate a girl, while a line that continues beyond the navel would indicate a boy. However, there is no scientific evidence to support this theory.

Linea Nigra typically appears during the second trimester of pregnancy. However, like all other pregnancy-related changes, it is individual, and some pregnant women may not experience this pigmentation change at all. After childbirth, the pigmentation usually disappears on its own when hormone levels return to normal levels. Sometimes it may take a few months for the line to completely disappear.