When does that brown belly button line malarky appear?

[TheScenicRoute]

I'm 26+5 and think I can see the vaguest of shadows, like a faint bruise, in two areas below my belly button, from a distance they look like they might be the start of that brown line thing.

I can't say I'm ecstatic about the prospect of this appearing, but im fully expecting it. So when does it normally arrive, is it a gradual build up, how soon does it disappear after the birth and what's it's real name?

[GozerTheGozerian]

It's the linea nigra (I think!). I didn't get it in either pregnancy though.

[Llareggub]

I didn't get it in either pregnancy.

[PuppyMummy]

I didn't get it either!

[RetroHippy]

31+4 and mine is getting gradually darker. Had the faintest line for a couple of weeks now.

I also have rings around my belly button where it's stretched out

[Luciferbox]

I never had it

[TheScenicRoute]

Thanks guys. I didn't realise there's a chance I might avoid it. Then again, I've not managed to avoid anything else in pregnancy so why should this be different!

So Retro - you started at 29 weeksish. I guess this could be similar. Time will tell.

X

[montymonty]

I seem to recall my line appearing before 20 weeks!

[Burmama]

Mine just started appearing in the last week or so - I'm just over 30 weeks now. Oh, and I totally have the exact same belly button rings Retro, with very very little belly button left to speak of.

[car1sberg]

Around 32-33 weeks for me, both pregnancies. Looks like a very thin tanned line.

[cheesecakemom]

Mine took longer to appear with this pregnancy. Definitely after 20 weeks - it's getting darker. I'm nearly 35 weeks!

[tiggy2610]

Mine was well and truly there around 15 weeks! Although only now that I'm nearing 30 has it developed above my belly button

[PunkrockerGirl]

I didn't have it in either pregnancy.

[Jodie1982]

I didn't see mine till after my babies were born, very odd lol.

[Acorncat]

I only got it after the birth too, bit odd.

[SeaSaltMill]

I've had mine a while but its fairly faint. It only goes up to my belly button so far. I'm 28 weeks.

[Cinderelmer]

Think mine started around 30weeks, I hated it. It faded but stayed around until I finished bf at 19mths, sorry! Dd had a faint one which took a couple of yrs to completely disappear. Couldn't tell you what causes it.

[MakeMeWarmThisWinter]

I can still see mine from previous pregnancy 3 years ago! It's white now. I'm pregnant again but only 13wks so I guess it'll go brown at some point

[Dogsmom]

I didn't get it with dd1 or any stretchmarks, am 26+4 with dd2 and so far no sign of either again.

My nipples are a rather fetching shade of brown again though and my boobs look like a road map of veins.

[Emus]

I got it in my first pregnancy and am interested to know if it activates the same line or creates a new line with subsequent pregnancies (as an old wives tale says you can tell the sex of the child by how straight the line is!)?

[TellmetogetonwithmyWork]

You can still see mine just in a bikini photo when ds1 was 11 months old. It must have gone soon after as that was same time I got pregnant with ds2 and I remember it reappearing. Prob about 30 weeks.

[M27J5M]

Emus - how high the line goes is supposedly a sign of the sex too, if it only goes upto belly button they say it, if it's any higher then girl!

But back to original question, I remember getting line with my ds but can't remember when, have a faint white-ish line just now at 24 weeks

[TheScenicRoute]

Mine is definately coming through, only to my belly button and I'm having boy/girl twins, so that blows that theory!

Whilst I had a mirror under my tummy reflecting upwards I noticed 9, YES NINE stretch marks! My first ones and such a shock as I couldn't see them stood looking in the mirror as normal. Double whammy in the space of two days. ( not that they were unexpected, was just hoping to avoid them). Just need to avoid the poppy out belly button thing now.

[M27J5M]

Ah well that's that theory gone then lol I already have the popped out belly button, shows through everything I wear and I hate it!

[toomanypasswords]

Both times mine's appeared from about 30 weeks. To be honest, I can't see it unless I look in mirror as I can't see over the top of my bump and it only goes as far as my belly button! I don't remember when it disappeared last time around

[PeppermintInfusion]

If you are pale skinned you are less likely to get it according to my pregnancy book