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Pregnancy Line (Linea Nigra) - Causes & Prevention
When you stand in front of the mirror during the second trimester of your pregnancy, you might notice a dark line running below your navel right into the pubic area. This is called Linea Nigra, otherwise known as the pregnancy line.
What is Linea Nigra?
Linea Nigra as the name suggests is a dark line that appears in the 5th month of your pregnancy. It is actually a pale line, which is almost invisible prior to your pregnancy & could suddenly become visible. It is called Linea Alba (White Line). This line on belly during pregnancy is perfectly normal and harmless.
When Does Linea Nigra Appear?
Linea Nigra is actually the darkened Linea Alba, which was already present on your belly but was not very visible. So, you might feel that it might have appeared during your pregnancy. Linea Nigra is not actually black; it is more of a browner shade. It is a vertical line running on your tummy from your navel to the pubic bone; sometimes it might appear from your ribs too.
What Causes Linea Nigra?
Linea Alba is the place where the connective tissues of your abdomen muscles meet. Initially, it is very pale and unnoticeable. It darkens due to the hormonal changes in your body during pregnancy. The line on your belly appears to darken during the second trimester as oestrogen goes up causing extra melanin to be secreted. This melanin causes darkening of the skin and hence Linea Nigra appears. It gradually darkens as the pregnancy progresses. The dark line on pregnant belly is about ½ -1 centimetre wide. You may also notice that if your skin has dark patches or any existing scars they turn darker because of the increased melanin too.
Reasons to Love Linea Nigra
Some women might be worried about Linea Nigra but there are some reasons to love it.
It’s a natural thing: The appearance of Linea Nigra during pregnancy is perfectly normal. It just indicates that there is more melanin in your body now. You will also notice that the areolas and clitoris darken during this period too. This is not a sign of worry so just sit back and enjoy this beautiful phase. The pregnancy line is a wonderful reminder of the life within you.
Disappears on its own: You can be assured that the pregnancy line will disappear on its own a few months after childbirth. After delivery, your hormones begin to stabilise and so will the melanin, getting you back your original skin colour.
It's harmless: The pregnancy line is harmless for your baby. It occurs due to a natural phenomenon in your body during pregnancy. There is nothing to worry about and certainly no reason to prevent it from occurring. It is best to avoid any applying any cream to prevent Linea Nigra as it might cause other problems. Instead of worrying you can embrace it and feel proud of your ability to nurture life.
You can cover it up: Although the Linea Nigra is unavoidable there are some ways that it can be minimised. If possible avoid the sun & apply a good sunscreen when you are outdoors. This might prevent it from becoming darker. Some researchers also believe that the Linea Nigra is related to low folic acid levels. Therefore, you can also try consuming a good quantity of folic acid from natural sources such as spinach to lighten it.
What Can You Do About Pregnancy Line?
Linea Nigra cannot be prevented but you can try and minimise its appearance. As mentioned earlier, some simple measures such as avoiding the sun, applying sunscreen & covering your tummy can help reduce melanin production, thereby preventing it from becoming darker. There is no specific Linea Nigra treatment as such and so, it is better to avoid using any topical creams or medications.
How to Prevent Getting Linea Nigra?
There is no specific remedy or way to prevent getting Linea Nigra. Doctors advise mothers not to try any remedies to prevent it as it will only cause harm to the baby. There might be some claims of preventing the pregnancy line but in reality, there is no way one can prevent Linea Nigra from appearing or disappearing.
Does Pregnancy Line Predict the Gender of Your Baby?
There are some myths relating to gender prediction based on the pregnancy line but those should be taken with a pinch of salt. If old stories are to be believed then, it’s a boy if the Linea Nigra runs from the pubic bone to the belly button and stops there. If it continues further up to the rib cage then it’s a girl. Although this is fun to know, always remember that gender prediction is never reliable and there are equal chances of conceiving a boy or a girl. Remember, what matters is a healthy baby.
Does Linea Nigra Affect Your Baby?
Linea Nigra is completely harmless. It is restricted only to external cells and in no way connected to your baby. Your baby is safe in your womb.
Is it Normal Not to Have a Pregnancy Line?
It is perfectly normal not to have a pregnancy line because in some cases if the melanin content is less, the line doesn’t darken.
What Happens to the Pregnancy Line After Delivery?
After you deliver your baby, the body begins to get back to normal, which means that your hormones are all starting to fall into place. The pregnancy line disappears on its own. If it still persists then you might consult a doctor for some creams that might help the line fade away. However, any over-the-counter creams or medicines are strictly prohibited during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
Linea Nigra might actually be a little embarrassing for some women but in reality, it is just a dark line present for a few months during pregnancy and naturally disappears after birth. This, in fact, is the least of your concerns as it is perfectly normal and safe.
Also Read: Stretch Marks During Pregnancy Read more
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Water Breaking during Pregnancy
Every woman has a unique experience of delivering her baby. Hence, don’t lose your sleep over the stories you may have heard about water breaking. Your curiosity is obvious, but your worry is not necessary. This article will clear any doubt that you have about water breaking during pregnancy. So just relax and stay informed!
What is Water Breaking?
Your baby is cushioned and protected in your womb is a fluid-filled amniotic sac. When this amniotic sac tears, amniotic fluid will leak through your cervix and vagina. This is called water breaking which usually happens during late pregnancy. Water breaking is a sign that you are in early labour or may be in labour soon.
When Does a Pregnant Woman's Water Break?
Water breaking occurs during the first or the second stage of labour in most women. This is due to the contractions that take place during this period. In one in ten women, water breaks before any signs of labour; in fact, even before contractions. In very rare cases water may break in the 37th week of pregnancy.
If you are long overdue, then your doctor will offer to break your water to induce labour. Soon after your water breaks, you may observe that your contractions become stronger and more intense by the minute. Hence, it is important that as soon as your water breaks, you must get in touch with the doctor immediately.
What Are the Causes of Water Breaking During Pregnancy?
A pregnant woman's water breaks when the baby is ready to come out. It is a sign that she is soon to go into labour. In very rare cases a premature rupture of membranes (PROM) is the cause for water breaking. This usually happens during the 37th week of pregnancy. The causes for it could be any one of the following or all of them:
A history of premature water breaking in previous pregnancy
Smoking or using drugs during pregnancy
Short cervical length
Poor nutrition during pregnancy
Being underweight
Inflammation of foetal membranes
Vaginal bleeding during second or third trimester
What Happens When Your Water Breaks and What Does it Feel Like?
The water breaking experience differs from woman to woman. While some feel some fluid trickling down their legs, others may experience a gush of odourless and colourless amniotic fluid flowing out of their system. It all depends on where the bag has torn and whether the baby has engaged and is ready for labour. Please understand that there is close to 600 ml of water or amniotic fluid inside you by the end of pregnancy. And your body continues to make water even during labour. So, you may continue to leak even after your water has broken.
Many moms worry that their water may break while they are out shopping or at a restaurant or anywhere outside their homes. Don’t worry too much about this possibility, instead carry a maternity pad from the 37th week of your pregnancy. Please avoid using a tampon or a sanitary napkin for the same.
What is Fore Water and Hind Water?
As your baby starts moving downwards to prepare for its birth, your baby's head descends closer to your cervical opening, Your amniotic fluid hence gets divided roughly into the water present in front of your baby's head and that present towards your baby's feet, known as fore water and hind water respectively.
There is no difference between fore and hind water and it doesn’t matter which of the water breaks first.
How to Determine It's Water Breaking and Not Pee or Discharge
Differentiating between pee and amniotic fluid can be a little tricky. Amniotic fluid is clear, odourless fluid which is pale straw colour and maybe a little bloodstained in the beginning. Smell it and you will know whether it is urine or amniotic fluid.
Vaginal discharge, on the other hand, is thin white mucus which is quite similar to what you see before periods. It's heavier and hence can easily be differentiated from amniotic fluid.
Can Water Breaking Happen Before Labour?
Yes, amniotic rupture can happen prematurely, before labour, but only in very rare cases. In these rare cases, it can happen anytime during or after the 37th week of pregnancy. But in most cases, it will not be a surprise and you may already be in the hospital ready to deliver your baby.
When Does Labour Start After Water Breaks?
One obvious question that may lurk in the minds of expecting mom is, how long after the water breaks does labour start? Well, in most cases, labour is followed by the breaking of the amniotic sac. In very rare cases there may be a delay, mostly if your experience a premature rupture of membrane. In these cases, the doctor may induce labour because the longer it starts for the labour to start after water break, the higher are the chances of you and your baby contracting an infection.
What Will Happen If You Don’t Have Contractions Even After Water Breaking?
As mentioned before, contractions should follow soon after the water breaks. If you are not already in labour, then you may feel the first contraction 12 hours after the amniotic fluid starts trickling down your legs; in some cases, though the contractions may start after 24 hours. In the meanwhile, be rest assured that you will not run out of amniotic fluid as your body continues to produce amniotic fluid till you deliver the baby.
An instance of the water breaking with there being no contractions is very rare. However, if you take longer than 24 hours to get into labour, the doctor may decide to induce labour to save you and your baby from any probable infection due to the ruptured amniotic sac.
What Happens If Your Water Breaks Early?
If your water breaks before the 37th week of pregnancy, then it is called preterm or premature rupture of membranes (PROM). This may lead to a few complications like maternal and foetal infection, placenta abruption which takes place when the placenta peels away from the inner wall of the uterus way before delivery, and infection or problems with the umbilical cord. There is also an elevated risk of complications due to premature birth.
If you are 34 weeks pregnant at the time of PROM, then the doctor may suggest an early delivery but if you are between 24 to 34 weeks pregnant, then the doctor will try to delay the delivery by putting you on antibiotics. That way, the baby will get some more time to develop inside you. You will also be given an injection of potent steroids (corticosteroids) to speed up the development of your baby’s lungs.
Whatever the scenario, speak to your doctor and ask all that you must about PROM and how will it affect you and the baby.
What Can You Do If Your Water Breaks During Pregnancy?
If you suspect that your waters have broken, you need to contact your healthcare provider. You may be required to go to the hospital for an examination. The doctor may also need to take a call on how your labour should progress.
What Happens If Your Water Doesn’t Break on Its Own?
If you get into labour and your cervix is thinned and dilated, and the baby’s head is already pushing through the pelvis, then your doctor may use amniotomy to start labour contractions or increase labour contractions. In this technique, a thin plastic hook will be used to make an opening in the amniotic sac which will cause the amniotic fluid to flow out.
What If Your Water Breaks and You Don’t Want Induction?
If you choose not to have induction after your water breaks, then you will have to be kept under strict observation.
Firstly, your doctor or midwife will have to check your baby’s heart rate and movement every 24 hours till you actually get into labour.
The doctor will keep a close watch on your temperature.
The doctor will look for any change in the smell or colour of the amniotic fluid.
In this scenario, your doctor or midwife will advise you to have the delivery in the hospital as it may turn out to be risky.
In case you get an infection during that phase, antibiotics will be fed into your veins through a fine tube by your doctor and you will be advised to get labour induced in order to safeguard you and your baby from any other infection.
What Are the Risks of Not Being Induced After 48 Hours?
If you refuse to induce labour even after 48 hours of your water breaking, then you are risking your and your child’s health. The more the time lapse between your water breaking and the baby’s birth the higher the chances of you and your baby getting an infection. If you avoid inducing labour even after 48 hours, then your baby may have to stay in special care once born as a precautionary measure. Hence, stay calm, weigh the pros and cons, seek your doctor’s advice and choose what’s right for the baby and for you.
When to Seek a Doctor’s Help
It is advisable to inform your doctor soon after you observe water breaking signs and symptoms just to be on the safer side. The other circumstances when you must call your doc without any delay are:
If you observe that the water breaking colour is green and brown which means that your baby had a bowel movement in the uterus.
You are in the 37th week of or pregnancy or even less and you feel the slow leak between your legs.
If you feel like something is sticking out of your vagina like a loop or umbilical cord. This only happens in cases of PROM (the baby is breech or preterm); the umbilical cord gets swept into the cervix or even the vagina.
As soon as you call the doctor, he/she will conduct a water break test. If it turns out to be a false alarm, you will be sent back home.
When pregnant, it’s always important to stay calm and focused. Panic can have other undesirable and unwanted side effects. Instead of getting terrified, just reach out to your doctor or midwife for help.
Also Read: Overdue Pregnancy: Causes, Risks & Tips To Survive Read more
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Packing Right and Light for Family Vacations
Planning to go on a vacation? You have set your mind to pick comfortable bags and stuff them only with items you really need. However, this can be easier said than done! Achieve your goal to travel light and right with these tips for your vacation packing checklist for family.
Packing is quite a task and few things are more irksome than carrying bulky bags when on a vacation. If you're planning a trip with your husband and kids, it's important to prepare a packing list for a family vacation. This will save you from lugging around bags that weigh a tonne and dealing with unnecessary knick-knacks you shouldn't have taken along.
Tips on How to Pack for a Family Vacation
1. Check the Weather Forecast
If you're travelling in the summer but don't quite know what the weather will be where you're going, check the forecast. Most weather websites provide forecasts for up to around 10 days. This should help you figure out the kind of clothes and footwear you need to take along.
2. Consider the Activities You'll be Engaging In
Even if you don't have a strict itinerary, think about the activities you and your family will probably be indulging in on the trip. Cliff jumping, hiking, swimming? Keep these in mind when preparing a vacation packing checklist. You can avoid stuffing bags with unnecessary items that are no help at all!
3. Don't Take Too Many Clothes
Clothes take up a lot of space. And while you may think it's important to carry separates for each day, or probably even a few extras, are they really required? If going for a longer vacation, use the laundry service at the place you'll be staying so you can repeat outfits. A few scarves, shrugs and accessories can help you and the kids put together different looks with the same clothes. ||
4. Avoid Packing Toys
Don't take along too many toys and games for your children as they only take up a lot of space. After all, the point is to spend time together as a family and to enjoy the experience of a new place. In any case, your kids will probably want you to get them a few new things wherever you're going!
5. Choose the Right Luggage Bags
Once you've figured out what to pack for a family vacation, it's time to choose the bags to take everything in. Backpacks are a good option as they're easy to carry and it's a good idea to pick ones with multiple pockets. Trolley bags are another good choice. If you have teenage children, task them to carry a backpack. Carry travel documents and other valuable items in a separate pouch and keep this close to you at all times.
These family travel tips will help you travel light and yet carry all your essentials. This way, all your attention can be on having fun and not painfully towing luggage along! Read more
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Dr Ghouse has added a new answer
Guardian of 0 children
2 hours ago
Q. hi sir/mam i had taken nerothrestrone prevent-N one tablet of 5mg when i was unaware of my pregnancy to delay my periods only one dosage was taken by me and i scanned fewdays and heartbeat came but there is the gap of 2weeks in my edd according to lmp and esg is there any problem please reply i am so tensed
Read moreDr Ghouse
Paediatrician
1 hour ago
A. it's okay no problem now. if there is no relief it is better you see your doctor for proper examination particularly physical examination if there is need for doing investigations to find out the problem and treatment ok
Dr Ghouse has added a new answer
Expecting Mom due in 2 months
2 hours ago
Q. #asktheexperts advice some parenting hack.
Dr Ghouse
Paediatrician
1 hour ago
A. regarding what ok repeat question. if there is no relief it is better you see your doctor for proper examination particularly physical examination if there is need for doing investigations to find out the problem and treatment ok
Nikitha has added a new answer
Father of a Newborn child
1 hour ago
Q. #asktheexperts what is the best time to keep baby in the sun and for how long?
Nikitha
Mom of a 9 yr 5 m old boy
1 hour ago
A. hello in the morning around 7 to 9:00 a.m. for 10 minutes you can get your baby exposed to the sunlight which would be safe on baby so the child will also get the vitamin d naturally which should be good and nothing to worry about
Dr Ghouse has added a new answer
Guardian of 0 children
1 hour ago
Q. currently I'm in 25th week of my pregnancy. I would like to when is my 7th month or red trimester is going to start?
Dr Ghouse
Paediatrician
1 hour ago
A. you had to complete 28 weeks ok. if there is no relief it is better you see your doctor for proper examination particularly physical examination if there is need for doing investigations to find out the problem and treatment ok
Dr Ghouse has added a new answer
Guardian of 0 children
1 hour ago
Q. #asktheexperts I am having vaginal infection from last 2 months my doc have given me antibiotics meds but still I am having it …. 8 months pregnant I am ….is anything I am doing wrong that’s y I am having this infection
Dr Ghouse
Paediatrician
1 hour ago
A. ok cd. if there is no relief it is better you see your doctor for proper examination particularly physical examination if there is need for doing investigations to find out the problem and treatment ok
Dr Ghouse has added a new answer
Expecting Mom due this month
1 hour ago
Q. Hlo sir / madam
I m 36week 6 days pregnant
My baby’s head doesn’t fix into the pelvis
Lightening or baby dropping not happend
My AFI is 18 (mild polyhydroaminous)
What should I do?? Normal delivery possible?
Dr Ghouse
Paediatrician
1 hour ago
A. your treating doctor will advise accordingly ok. if there is no relief it is better you see your doctor for proper examination particularly physical examination if there is need for doing investigations to find out the problem and treatment ok
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