For many women stretch marks are an uncomfortable and sometimes embarrassing part of pregnancy. As a woman's body expands and changes to make room for her growing baby, her skin must stretch to compensate and angry red lines may be left behind in a variety of places in the process. While preventing stretch marks completely may not be possible there are ways a pregnant woman can help avoid their appearance or lesson their severity.
Where Do Stretch Marks Occur?
While most women assume that stretch marks in pregnancy occur mainly on the stomach, they may not realize that they can appear in other areas as well. Depending on how a woman is carrying and how much weight she gains stretch marks can also appear on her thighs, buttocks and arms.
Eat Healthy to Prevent Stretch Marks
A healthy diet can lead to healthier, stronger and more flexible skin which might help prevent some stretch marks. A healthy pregnancy diet can also help women avoid excessive weight gain that can play a role in the development of stretch marks in areas other than the stomach.
Drink Plenty of Water to Keep Skin Healthy
It is a well known fact that drinking plenty of water is not only good for the body in general it also is a wonderful way to help maintain healthy skin. Healthy and well hydrated skin is strong and durable and getting enough water throughout pregnancy may help prevent stretch marks.
Moisturize, Moisturize, Moisturize
Moisturizing creams applied to the belly and other areas that might be affected during pregnancy might help prevent stretch marks. Such creams should be applied from the first trimester through the third trimester. Lotions with shea butter, cocoa butter or almond butter seem to help pregnant women avoid stretch marks. They also have a pleasant smell which is an added bonus. Vitamin E oil or lotion rubbed on affected areas also seem to have a similar effect.
Prevention Without Breaking the Bank
There are a number of specialty stretch mark creams available on the market for pregnant women. These can range from relatively inexpensive to quite costly. An advantage to buying lotions meant just for pregnant women is an expectant mother knows that the ingredients in the lotion are safe for her and the baby she is carrying and the ingredients are not harmful to the unborn child through maternal skin absorption. An inexpensive cream will often work as well as one that is more costly.
Non-specialty Creams
Regular creams containing shea butter, cocoa butter, almond butter and/or vitamin E that are marketed to the general public can work just as well as creams targeting pregnant women and might be cheaper than the specialty brand. An expectant mother needs to be careful and read the label on any lotion she plans to use as some may have a warning stating that they should not be used during pregnancy.
Expectant mothers should be prepared and not set their hopes too high when it comes to preventing stretch marks. There will be women who follow prevention tips and are able to avoid stretch marks completely. Others will try everything and still end up with the angry red lines because they are genetically prone toward them. Women may take comfort in the fact that stretch marks will fade and the light lines left behind are worth it because they are a product of their bodies successfully creating life and delivering a precious bundle of joy.
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