Often unavoidable, stretch marks are one of the many side effects of pregnancy. The good news is that preventive measures can be taken. With a little attention to diet and some time spent moisturizing your skin, these marks can sometimes be avoided.
Pregnancy is a time full of anticipation and excitement. It is amazing to realize what your body is truly capable of. During the process of growing a healthy baby inside of you, many side effects occur. Nausea, fatigue, increased appetite, backaches, and mood swings are just a few of the many. Your growing belly may be the most obvious of all.
As your skin stretches to accommodate the expanding uterus, stretch marks can form. They first appear as small red lines on your skin. They can occur in many places, not just the belly. Look for them on your thighs, buttocks, hips, breasts and upper arms. With pregnancy comes weight gain, and it is typically not all just in the belly. Your hips have to spread not only to accommodate the weight, but also to prepare for delivery. Often, you gain a little extra weight in other places as well, helping to ensure your body has plenty of fat in storage to help provide much-needed fuel for you and your baby. Often, the rapid weight gain (and loss too) associated with pregnancy, and post-partook can cause stretch marks. The good news is that there are certain things you can do to help prevent these marks from appearing.
Probably the most important is to keep your skin very hydrated and well nourished so that it retains its elasticity. Starting in the first trimester, use a thick cream full of emollients to moisturize your skin. Many products exist on the market solely for the purpose of preventing stretch marks. Pure vitamin E oil tends to be an effective product, as does coco butter. I recommend the using the thickest product you can find and applying it at least two times a day.
Also, drink plenty of water and take your vitamins, as skin is nourished not only by the products you use on the outside, but also by what you inside of it. Taking vitamins (prenatal as prescribed by your doctor- never take anything that your doctor has not approved during your pregnancy) and drinking plenty of water will help to keep your skin well-hydrated and healthy. Doing this is beneficial for your baby’s and your overall health.
Avoid long exposure to hot water, as your skin will actually become drier. It seems like the opposite would be true, but as hot water evaporates off of your skin, it leeches out natural moisture that is part of your body’s chemical balance.
A healthy diet also helps your skin. Beyond being good for you and your baby overall, eating nutrient-rich meals helps give your body all the vitamins and minerals it needs to keep you healthy, and this includes your skin. Also, sticking to a healthy diet will ensure that you gain a healthy amount of weight, thus reducing your chances of getting stretch marks.
As long as you have your doctor’s approval, continue to exercise throughout your pregnancy. Exercise helps to increase blood flow, and in general, it keeps your body strong and healthy. Just as the rest of your body benefits from exercise, your skin does as well.
Massage may also help retain the skin’s elasticity, and help to keep your skin supple. When done with the oil, you get its nourishment and moisturizing effects. This causes increased blood flow to the skin, which in turn brings more nutrients to the area.
Sometimes, no matter what you do, you are going to get stretch marks. The good news is that they will fade a good bit over time, often becoming almost invisible. Regardless, be proud that you made that beautiful baby. You can always look at your stretch marks as proof of what amazing things your body is capable of.
By Kristen Chapin
