Pregnancy Week 15 - Gorgeous Hair, Glowing Skin and a Mysterious Dark Line

Dear Baby,

You can now suck your thumb, grasp with your hands as well as swallow. Your body is covered with lanugo. Even though your eyes are still tightly shut, your retina is becoming sensitive to light.

You know what, baby? I’ve always had fine, greasy hair, so I’m delighted with my hair right now. It looks much thicker and less greasy. My skin, however, looks a bit darker and slightly pigmented.

A dark brown line, called the linea nigra is now running vertically down my bump, neatly and precisely dividing it into two.

I wonder what you are doing right now, my little one. Are you sucking your thumb or playing with the umbilical cord, huh? I wish I had x-ray vision and could see you right now.

Sleep tight, my heart.

Your loving mumma.

BABY NOTES

What is lanugo?

Around this time your baby’s body is covered with fine, soft hair called lanugo. Most babies shed this hair during the third trimester, although some are born with it. Any remaining hair usually disappears within the first few weeks after birth. Its main function is to help hold the vernix caseosa, a protective, creamy coating, against the baby’s skin. This coating protects the baby’s skin from prolonged exposure to amniotic fluid and also provides lubrication during birth.

How does pregnancy affect your hair?

During pregnancy, while your hair continues to grow, the daily falling of hair slows down considerably. This is because increased oestrogen levels prolong the hair's growth phase, reducing the amount of hair you shed. As a result, your hair looks thicker and healthier. This will delight those of you who have fine hair. Also, some of you will find that your hair does not become greasy as often as it used to, which means that you don’t have to wash it that often. This could prove to be a boon to those who have long hair, especially in late pregnancy when simple tasks like shampooing one’s hair can prove to be a chore. However, for some women, the reverse happens and their hair suddenly becomes greasy.

How does pregnancy affect your skin?

Because of the hormonal changes that have taken place in your body, you might find that your skin is now able to retain more moisture, making it more supple and less oily. However, some women may experience increased oiliness and acne. Besides, the extra blood circulating in your body gives it that pregnancy glow. Some women might find that their skin becomes darker and pigmented. A butterfly-like patch of pigmentation might appear on your face. This is known as melasma (also called chloasma). Do not get distressed. It usually fades after your baby is born, although it may take some time and does not always disappear completely. Since sunlight can worsen pigmentation, use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher and avoid excessive sun exposure.

What is linea nigra?

As your baby grows, your uterus also grows. Soon it expands out of the pelvic cavity into the abdomen. During pregnancy, hormonal changes can cause increased pigmentation along the linea alba, the connective tissue running down the centre of your abdomen. This results in a dark brown line running vertically down the middle of your belly, known as the linea nigra. It usually fades gradually after childbirth, although it may not disappear completely.

It is said that before the invention of the ultrasound scan, the appearance of the linea nigra and the darkening of the nipples were used as possible signs of pregnancy.

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