It’s common in pregnancy to develop a vertical dark line on the stomach. It mostly shows up in the middle of the pregnancy and is called Linea Nigra. Also, it isn’t only seen in pregnancy stages, all age groups can experience this as per the researcher’s words.

In this blog, we’ll discuss everything you should know about this and we’ll also discuss the reasons why it is experienced without a pregnancy.

 Linea Nigra

1. It is a brownish dark line on an abdomen appearing vertical in position. Many can experience it to be wider but the ideal length of this is approx 1/4 to 1/2 inches wide.
2. The location of this appears between the pubic area and the belly button. Sometimes, it’s even visible in the upper abdomen
3. Linea Alba is always present as a line running between the abdomen and the pubic area. This is present ever since and gets highlighted during the pregnancy called Linea Nigra, where it appears too obvious and dark.

Reasons for its presence, when you are not pregnant:

There aren’t any specific reasons to define why it stays during pregnancy and for others. As per the doctors, the reasons include:

1. Hormones

Nothing surprising, because in our bodies if disturbances occur the first thing that gets disoriented in its working is the hormones. The combination of progesterone and estrogen levels causes the formation of melanin. The melanin imparts a darker color to the parts of the skin and it can occur in both situations pregnancy or no-pregnancy. The more are the levels of melanin, the darker your skin appears.

2. The environment or medications

The hormone imbalance can also be caused by the environment you are residing in or by the medications you are using frequently. Medications like birth control pills etc. can result in an imbalance of your hormones, further increasing melanin levels in you. High exposure to the sun also increases levels of pigment in you.

3. Sometimes underlying medical conditions can cause hormones imbalances

If you are suffering from any medical conditions, contact your doctor and assure yourself that whether it is the cause or not. Many times, different medical conditions can disturb the functioning of your hormones causing imbalances and increasing melanin levels making your skin appear darker.

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Applications that can come in handy:

This isn’t so easy to fade away, still some applications can prove useful.

1. Apply sunscreen whenever you step out in the sun. Sunscreen can help it not get darker than it was appearing.
2. Don’t bleach your skin to make it disappear as it will only hurt your skin even more. Try using make-up as a covering agent, instead.
3. Time is known to heal everything and it will fade away with passing years.

Don’t stress yourself with this dark line killing your self-confidence inside. Remember, you are beautiful and no such line defines your existence. Enjoy your being surrounded by a healthy lifestyle.

Linea Nigra during Pregnancy

After discussing Linea Alba or a similar condition found in people experiencing no-pregnancy, it’s time to discuss it during pregnancy.

The hormones depleting during pregnancy are responsible for the black line appearing from the belly button to the abdomen or the pubic line. Also, not only the black line appears during pregnancy but also your skin darkens from face to toe due to the high production of melanin pigment in the body. This condition is called the mask of pregnancy, the melasma.

According to experts, this black line has occurred ever since the time of evolution and is the same line, which instructs your newborn to crawl finding their way to the breast to nurse.

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Things you can practice in pregnancy for the dark black line

Often soon-to-be mothers experience distress watching the line grow dark. Introduce the below-listed things, to make you feel gorgeous and healthy:

1. Introduce a healthy lifestyle and eat well. Eating well rightly is the solution to every discomfort. Consume green leafy vegetables, whole grains, and fruits to fight folic acid deficiency. Also, don’t miss your prenatal vitamin.
2. Use sunscreen having SPF 30 to avoid over secretion of the melanin pigment and also cover the bump whenever you step out to avoid direct sun rays.

How much time will it take to disappear?

Something which is over concerning for a soon-to-be mother is how long will the black line exist.

The dark line disappears and fades away after a few months of the birth of the baby. Till then, don’t stress yourself but try enjoying the appearance of the line and mark it as a remembrance of you bringing life on earth.

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WHEN TO GO TO A DOCTOR? FROM PREGNANCY TILL BIRTH

Testing positive for pregnancy is beautiful as well as exciting. But the first thought that comes to your mind is when to visit your doctor? Here we have highlighted some points, from the beginning of your pregnancy journey to the final delivery.

Pregnancy symptoms:

When you notice the preliminary pregnancy symptoms, like a missed period, nauseated, heavy breasts, tiredness etc. In these cases, take a home-based pregnancy test

If you test positive then it is time to visit your gynaecologist.

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When should you see a doctor?

Even if the pregnancy kit tests positive, you should be seeing your gynaecologist. It is very important to get the right guidance from the very beginning. Even if it is your second or third time, each baby is unique so it is important you follow the advice of your doctor for prenatal care and steps you should take during these days which is beneficial to you and your baby.

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After these, your daily schedule of appointments begins. In most cases, your ideal frequency of appointment will be as follows

• Weeks 4 to 28: Once every month
• Weak 28 to 36: Fortnight basis
• Weak 36 till birth: Every seven days

You might have noticed, that the prenatal visits increase, during the third trimester i.e., from Week 36 onwards. This is because certain complications and problems related to the growth of your baby may appear during that period.

Apart from these there are several other factors related to your physical conditions and decide the frequency of your prenatal visits

• You are older than 35
• You are either underweight, obese or overweight.
• You might be facing certain health complications like diabetes, cancer, high blood pressure etc.,
• You are expected to deliver twins, triplets etc.

In the following points, we are going to describe what you should expect during your first-trimester prenatal appointments

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First Trimester Pre-Natal-Visits

Generally, when you visit your doctor in the first trimester, it is usually in the second month of pregnancy. This is the most detailed visit to your doctor as your medical and gynaecological history will be checked. They might ask you regarding any medicine that you might be on and also your detailed medical history of your partner. After this there will be some preliminary tests like blood pressure, height, weight and that you are pregnant. Several other tests to urine, bloodwork and most importantly blood sugar and STD is also checked. You will be giving guidance and advice accordingly related to this.

Second Trimester Pre-Natal-Visits

During these prenatal visits, you will be monitored related to your weight, urine and blood pressure. The baby is also properly monitored by taking the measure of the abdomen. Through ultrasound, the baby’s heartbeat and other movements like belly kicks are also done. During this time there will be some other tests too that might be happening which is to check for any chromosomal disorders followed by some blood tests to evaluate the iron level and essential nutrients in the blood.

Third Trimester Pre-Natal-Visits

Your third-trimester prenatal visits will happen more frequently as you are approaching the date of delivery. Diagnosis will be carried on your weight, urine and blood pressure. Your doctor might ask you regarding contractions or bleeding that you might be facing. He/she can also about any fluid leakages that you might be facing.

During these times, your doctor also discusses some vaccination shots that you might be needing. This includes shots on flu, tetanus, etc. The baby’s position is also checked upon like whether it is headfirst, bottom-first, transverse or feet first.

During this time, do ask about labour, pain management, delivery date and every other doubt that you might be having related to your pregnancy.

What should you talk about in your prenatal visits?

Pre-Natal visits are a two-way process. Your doctor will be examining your body and advising you regarding elements. But there are some elements that your doctor might ask

• Regarding your emotional and physical conditions?
• Answering all your doubts and queries related to pregnancy?
• Giving you advice and tips related to pregnancy
• Informing you about any changes that have been noticed or revealed in your reports.
• Conclusion
• So this is a brief timeline of your scheduled prenatal visits. But if you have any other complications or problems during the pregnancy period, do visit your doctor as soon as possible.

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