Linea nigra: What Is Linea Nigra

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). The length, width and color of this pregnant belly line varies from person to person. Learn when linea nigra, or the pregnancy line, appears, what causes it, and when you can expect it to go away. Linea nigra (Latin for "black line"), colloquially known as the pregnancy line, manifests as a linear area of heightened pigmentation frequently observed on the abdominal region during pregnancy. [1] Linea nigra is caused by hyperpigmentation that often occurs during pregnancy. Learn what causes it, what to expect, and more.