Pregnancy lines, often called stretch marks, are a common skin issue that develops during pregnancy. They manifest as fine, extended lines or streaks on the skin, most often in the chest, stomach, or hips.
Pregnancy lines form when the skin is stretched and grows too quickly, causing damage to the underlying connective tissue.
Due to fast skin stretching caused by weight gain and the expanding belly to support the developing baby, pregnancy lines appear. Hormonal changes during pregnancy may also weaken the skin’s support structures and increase the likelihood of stretch marks. Pregnancy lines can begin as a deep red or purple and gradually lighten to a silvery grey.
Women who gain much weight during pregnancy or have more than one child are more likely to develop pregnancy lines than other women. Stretch marks are most typically seen during pregnancy. Still, they may appear for various reasons, including puberty, fast weight gain or reduction, hormonal changes, and hereditary tendencies. Pregnancy lines are a completely normal and harmless reaction to the hormonal and physical changes during pregnancy.
