How to Prevent Pregnancy Stretch Marks

Pregnancy Stretch Marks

It is a well-known fact that more than fifty percent of pregnant women face the unpleasant fact of developing stretch marks during pregnancy. So, rest assured that you are not alone. Stretch marks have a tendency to appear during the third trimester of pregnancy due to the fact that it is when there is a higher growth of your baby, but they can show up at any stage of your pregnancy and in different areas other than your legs or stomach.

How do they form?

The reason stretch marks appear in your body during pregnancy is due to your body growing in size, but your skin cannot keep up, what this means is that your skin is stretching beyond its own elasticity. And that they are scars that are forming deep inside the layers of your skin, and they usually begin with a purple tone and its color changes to a silver and white tone.

Stretch marks cause no harm to you, but it does bring discomfort to some women, and some women may feel that it hard because it affects their self-esteem. If you are feeling depressed because you have developed stretch marks during pregnancy, you must remember something of great importance and that it is, the fact that it is a normal part of pregnancy and that it does not change anything about the wonderful woman that you are. Always try to remind yourself that you have achieved the incredible miracle of pregnancy that many women do not get to have.

Which areas of your body are more susceptible to developing stretch marks?

I know that it is quite an unpleasant fact that stretch marks can show in any part of your body. But when you are pregnant, there are some areas that are more likely to show.

The fact that your baby is growing at a faster pace means that your stomach area is far more likely to develop stretch marks, your breasts is another part of your body that grows at a rapid pace due to the many hormonal changes that us women go through pregnancy.

Other parts of your body that are likely to develop stretch marks is your bottom, thighs, and sides.

There are a few areas of your body that stretch marks may have a higher likeliness to show at various stages of your pregnancy. For some women, their breasts enlarge as soon as six to eight weeks, and they will keep growing throughout your pregnancy, so, because of this, you might notice stretch marks on that area sooner than you expected. The stretch marks on your pregnant tummy may begin to develop around the time you start to show, but if you develop stretch marks in your back, then they will show at a later stage of your pregnancy.

No-one can really know whether or not you will or will not develop stretch marks throughout your pregnancy, we all know that each pregnancy is entirely different from the other. But if you control your weight and if you exercise to stay active and eat healthy which it does not mean to eat for two, then there is a chance that you might be able to reduce or avoid the development of stretch marks.

Tips on how to avoid stretch marks during pregnancy

There are many things that you may be able to do to avoid having stretch marks during pregnancy, but the truth is that your body goes through many changes in pregnancy. But the good news is that there are ways to aid your skin in becoming stronger and avoid having stretch marks. Here are a few of them:

1. Drink water as often as possible

It is of great importance for your skin to stay hydrated; it is highly recommended for every woman to at the very least drink eight cups of water a day, which it equals to two liters of water. But doctors recommend that you drink at the very least twelve cups a day which it would equal to three liters.

I know that it can be quite a difficult task to achieve when morning sickness comes knocking at your door every single day throughout your pregnancy. But do try to drink one sip at a time in order to keep yourself hydrated. Being hydrated also helps you in preventing annoying urinary tract infections, it also eases headaches and it relieves constipation, plus it will aid you in alleviating the feeling of fatigue that pregnancy brings.

2. Eat a well-balanced diet

It is essential for you to maintain a healthy diet in pregnancy because of a little thing called morning sickness, food aversion and cravings. Some foods are excellent for your skin, like the ones that contain Omega-3 which can be found in fish, antioxidants, and vitamins. A fantastic way to add Omega-3 to your diet is by consuming foods that have them.

3. Try to keep your weight in check

It is an unavoidable fact that us women gain weight during pregnancy. It is known that we gain one to five pounds on the first trimester, and one pound each week. But do try to remember the fact that it is a common misconception that women should be eating for two, but now we know that it is not the case.

4. Moisturize your skin as often as possible

Do try to message and indulge your skin with body creams and oils on the areas that you know have a higher risk of developing stretch marks. Nowadays there is a wide variety of products that can be bought which they have the ability to help your skin heal and stimulate your blood flow.

But in the end, you must remember that above all pregnancy is a time enjoy to the fullest. I hope that this small guide brought you some comfort and the information that you needed.