Hate Stretch Marks

Most women look forward to the day when they become pregnant. In fact, many women that I know say that bringing their child into the world is the most rewarding and incredible experience that they have ever gone through. Indeed, it is one of the most gorgeous things in the world. But along with this momentous event, comes other not-so-pleasant happenings like nausea, frequent urination, back ache, and fatigue. And of course, there are pregnancy stretch marks.

Because of the rapid growth in the body that happens during pregnancy, the skin cannot cope with it all. That’s why they get too stretched beyond their limits that they break, making marks on the skin called stretch marks. This is especially apparent on the stomach and abdominal area because this is where most of the growth happens. When the stomach accommodates the growth of the baby inside, the skin on the outside tightens, and more often than not, breaks. Really, 70% – 90% of pregnant women get pregnancy stretch marks. They may also appear on the thighs, buttocks, hips, and breasts because these places also tend to become larger during the pregnancy. Widespread stretch marks often contribute in making pregnant women feel unattractive.

So is there any way to avoid the formation of pregnancy stretch marks? Well unfortunately, no. Especially if it’s hereditary. This means that if your mother had pregnancy stretch marks, then it is highly likely that you might get them too. But don’t be too despaired! There are some ways to minimize, and at most, limit the possibility of pregnancy stretch marks. Here are some tips:

Eat a very healthy and diverse diet. Eating healthy will minimize the overt growth and weight spurt. And it’s also excellent for the growth of the baby. Eat foods rich in protein, calcium, and whole grains so that you get to nourish both you and the baby. When you eat right, you prevent any more unnecessary weight spurts, thus, the skin gets stretched slower, meaning lesser breakage and lesser stretch marks.

Hydrate your skin. One cause of skin breakage is dehydration. Help your skin by drinking lots of water a day. That way, you hydrate yourself and maintain the skin’s elasticity. One more way to maintain hydrated is through applying creams and lotions with Vitamin C, cocoa butter, or sweet almond oil. Not only do they help keep the skin hydrated, they also minimize the itching that comes when the skin is stretched. Most of these lotions and creams are safe for a pregnant woman to use, but, it is best if you first go and consult your doctor so you can get your options straightened out that will not harm either you or the baby.

Monitor your weight. You must mind your weight. Gradual gain weight for pregnant women should be within 25-35 pounds if it’s a normal pregnancy. If you’re carrying twins, then the weight is a small more.

Exercise. There are a range of exercises that pregnant women can do. Exercise makes the blood circulate better and keeps you from gaining too much weight too quick. You must consult the doctor before you do any kind of exercise so that you can get medical and expert advice on the matter. We don’t want anything to happen to you or the baby now, do we?

Don’t let the threat of stretch marks ruin your expectations of pregnancy. The baby will also be stressed if you feel stressed over your pregnancy stretch marks. So try not to reckon about them too much and focus on your health and the baby’s instead. Remember that pregnancy stretch marks will fade into time, making them less noticeable. And yet, keep in mind that for this price, you get rewarded by bringing another life into this world that will make you and your family members feel pleased and blessed. So to all the expectant mothers out there, congratulations on your pregnancy and excellent luck!