When Sonam Kapoor recently showed her baby bump, attention was drawn to a dark vertical line running down her belly — a natural pregnancy mark called linea nigra. The term comes from Latin and means “black line.” It typically appears as a vertical streak extending from the belly button toward the pubic area during pregnancy.
Most women notice linea nigra during the second trimester, around the fourth or fifth month, when pregnancy hormones peak. The line starts faint and gradually becomes darker and more defined as pregnancy progresses. This change occurs due to increased melanin production triggered by hormones released by the placenta, which darken the skin along the belly’s natural midline.
Linea nigra is completely normal and harmless. Around 75–80 percent of pregnant women experience it, though its visibility varies depending on skin tone, genetics, and sun exposure. It tends to be more prominent in women with darker skin but can appear on anyone.
After childbirth, the line usually fades as hormone levels return to normal, which may take several weeks or months. In most cases, no treatment is required, and medical attention is unnecessary unless cosmetic concerns persist after pregnancy.
