Dark belly during pregnancy

During pregnancy, due to the changes in hormones in the pregnant woman's body, the pregnant woman has to face various physical changes caused by pregnancy. Among them, the pregnant woman's belly is the area that changes the most, as the pregnancy months gradually increase, the belly will gradually become larger. At the same time, most pregnant women will have stretch marks on their stomachs, and some pregnant women find that their stomachs turn black inexplicably. Is this normal?

Why does the skin on the pregnant woman's belly turn darker?

The reason why pregnant women's skin becomes darker: The appearance of pigmentation such as spots and freckles is due to the presence of black cells under the skin that can produce melanin. Due to the influence of estrogen and progesterone, the number of activated melanocytes increases significantly. Therefore, as the pregnancy progresses, pregnancy spots, mainly pigmentation and freckles, will appear under the eyes. Moreover, obvious pigmentation will form in areas where melanin is concentrated. The white line in the center of the abdomen will turn brown, and it is not uncommon for black to appear around the nipples, areolas, and armpits.

Melanocytes are not only activated by hormones, but also greatly increase in number due to external stimuli such as ultraviolet rays.

The pigmentation that occurs during pregnancy varies from person to person, but it will gradually lighten after delivery. However, most of them will not disappear completely, and some may only become lighter after a long time.

Parts of the body that tend to darken during pregnancy

1. Face

Chloasma of pregnancy will appear on a woman's face 3-5 months into her pregnancy and will gradually fade away after delivery. If melanocytes are not activated only by hormones, external stimuli such as ultraviolet rays will also greatly increase the number of melanocytes. The appearance of pigmentation such as chloasma and freckles is due to the presence of melanocytes under the skin that can produce melanin. Therefore, as the pregnancy progresses, pregnancy spots, mainly pigmentation and freckles, will appear under the eyes.

2. Nipple and areola

After pregnancy, due to the increase in the secretion of estrogen and progesterone, the areola may also have pigmentation, making the areola and nipple appear darker and darker. This is actually a normal skin change during pregnancy and will gradually disappear after delivery.

3. Neck, armpits, abdomen

In addition to freckles on the face and darkening around the nipples, darkening of the skin during pregnancy also occurs on other parts of the body such as the neck, armpits and abdomen. The deposition of pigments makes these parts look like they have not been washed clean, dark and even have some lines, which makes pregnant mothers feel embarrassed.