Ever since Rihanna announced her pregnancy in January, the Grammy-winning singer has more or less made it impossible to forget. For months now, she's been showing up to red carpets in bump-baring crop tops and itty-bitty negligees that show off literally every new curve she's got going on – and it's actually been pretty refreshing.
Instead of covering up, masking her belly, or trying to stay out of the public eye until she gives birth, Rihanna has been putting her growing pregnancy bod on full display without any apologies. And, in the process, she's also been inadvertently reminding the world of just how incredible the female body really is.
Lately, people seem to be especially fascinated with the "mysterious" dark line running down her belly
Of course, to anyone who's been pregnant before, it's not much of a "mystery" … it's the linea nigra (aka "The Pregnancy Line"). But for those who haven't yet experienced the many "joys" of pregnancy — or, for those who may be newly pregnant for the first time — this little-known pregnancy symptom is definitely a surprise.
According to the American Pregnancy Association, the linea nigra typically develops across your belly in the fifth month of pregnancy. Though it translates to the "black line," it's actually dark brownish in color, and typically runs from your navel all the way down to your pubic bone. While it may appear to be faint at first, it typically grows darker and more noticeable with each passing week, and can range from a quarter-inch to a half-inch wide.
As for why it happens, doctors aren't 100% sure
The specific cause of the linea nigra is unknown, according to the APA, but most experts believe that the changing hormones in your body (including all that estrogen) has a noticeable impact on skin pigmentation. (After all, hormones are also to blame for those newly darkening nipples you may have — yay!)
Whatever the case, though, the linea nigra is completely harmless, and isn't a sign that there's anything "bad" or "wrong" with your pregnancy. In fact, it usually starts to fade shortly after giving birth, and will eventually go away entirely. Some women may hardly notice it at all.
That said, this news is apparently blowing minds all over the internet right now
After several bare bump photos starting popping up on Twitter, Instagram, and other social media platforms, it seems that many fans started asking themselves the same question: What exactly was going on with Rihanna's belly?
Was talking about this with friends the other day. I had no idea this was a thing. https://t.co/15wbmOJvuC
— Burak (@buKahra) April 28, 2022
Rihanna last night pic.twitter.com/i2QKKQy1Ym
— hourly rihanna (@rihannahourlyy) April 24, 2022
But amid all the confusion, there's also been a lot of praise for the fact that Rihanna is putting it all out there. (Especially when the linea nigra is something pregnant women have traditionally hidden from view.)
Good morning to Rihanna’s linea nigra and her linea nigra only pic.twitter.com/56jDwoOZNv
— VBG (@valbglenister) March 11, 2022
All of the online chatter has led to a lot of explainers ...
Now, everyone from seasoned moms to ob-gyns are hopping on TikTok and YouTube to explain what this "strange" line really is and why it's totally normal.
In one YouTube clip, Dr. Sharan Abdul-Rahman, an OB/GYN, says she's noticed "a lot of interest in Rihanna's pregnancy lately" — as well as all the questions it seems to have created.
"People are asking, 'What is this?'" Dr. Rahman says in the video, referencing all the confusion around the linea nigra. "Which makes me understand that we as physicians, we as ob-gyns, we as medical professionals, need to do a better job educating women on the changes that happen to the body during pregnancy."
@yahoolife The #LineaNigra line explained on #Rihanna’s #pregnant ♬ we found love – vibe sounds
In another report by Yahoo Life, several doctors weighed in on the subject this week.
"The majority of pregnant people will usually experience some form of linea nigra development," explained Dr. Danielle Panelli, instructor of obstetrics and gynecology at Stanford Children’s Health.
Though the linea nigra usually regresses within a few months of birth, every body is different.
"In women with a darker complexion, there may always be a faint line present," said Panelli. "And in fact, it may have already been there before pregnancy."
The line often becomes darker when exposed to the sun
For this reason, some women may choose to cover their bellies at the beach or even mask the line's darkness with makeup.
When it comes to celebrity bumps, it's often photoshopped out of images — presumably so the bump appears more "appealing" and "attractive." (Eye roll.) In fact, fans recently called out the fact that Rihanna's linea nigra seems to have been photoshopped during a recent photo shoot for Vogue magazine.
It’s not sitting right with me that Vogue photoshopped out Rihanna’s linea nigra..
— Michelle de Caires (@micheileen) April 13, 2022
But as for Rihanna herself, it's clear that she's not trying to go to any great lengths to hide the natural signs of pregnancy.
“I'm enjoying not having to worry about covering up my tummy," she told Vogue in February. "If I feel a little chubby, it's like, whatever! It's a baby!"
"Right now, being pregnant, some days you just feel like, 'Ugh, I just want to lay here on this couch all day,'" she continued.
That said, the singer admitted that she's currently in awe of all the miraculous changes her body is going through.
"My body is doing incredible things right now, and I’m not going to be ashamed of that," she insisted. "This time should feel celebratory. Because why should you be hiding your pregnancy?"
