Nobody
wants to develop stretch marks, but when you’re
pregnant you know that, along with nausea, fatigue,
backaches and frequent urination, stretch marks
are another distinct, unpleasant possibility. In
truth, between 75 and 90 percent of all pregnant
women (90 percent of white women) develop stretch
marks during pregnancy.
Look for the angry red lines to appear on your bulging
abdomen, usually during the sixth or seventh month
of pregnancy. But don’t stop there - there
are a few other places you might want to check,
too. Unfortunately, stretch marks also can show
up on other areas that tend to get larger during
pregnancy. These include the upper thighs, buttocks,
breasts and even arms, depending on the amount of
weight gain, your genetic history, and whether or
not you make a concerted effort to prevent stretch
marks.
So what can you do to beat the odds and prevent
stretch marks? Scientists argue about just what
you can do for prevention, but one thing is fairly
certain: genetics do appear to play a role in whether
or not you are predisposed to getting stretch marks.
This means that if your mother got stretch marks
during pregnancy, you may be more likely to get
them yourself. However, there are some things you
can do to limit the possibility of getting stretch
marks. Following these guidelines, all of which
are good for your overall health and the condition
of your skin, will go a long way toward putting
the odds in your favor.
1. Eat a healthy, diverse and balanced diet
that keeps your weight gain within the recommended
range of 25 to 35 pounds. Excellent nutritional
status is vital for your developing baby, but it
also contributes to the strength and health of the
body’s largest organ: the skin. What’s
more, a controlled and steady weight gain, without
any wild upward swings, will let your skin stretch
at a steady rate without any unexpected jolts.
2. Use a body brush or wash cloth to massage the
areas where you have stretch marks, or want to prevent
stretch marks from appearing - this will increase
circulation to the area, which may be helpful.
3. Drink plenty of water. Hydration is important
for your overall health and well-being as well as
that of your growing baby, and it is critical to
healthy skin.
4. Take your vitamins. This is one more way to ensure
proper nutritional status, which is critical for
your overall health and well-being, as well as beautiful
skin and a healthy baby!
5. Keep skin liberally and effectively moisturized
beginning in the first or second trimester and through
your recovery to your pre-pregnancy weight, perhaps
with one of the many oils and creams marketed especially
for stretch mark prevention. These moisturizers
will help keep your skin supple and elastic plus
serve as “food” (and vitamin supplements)
for your skin. The various vitamins and oils used
to create these formulas are designed to help enhance
collagen production and support the dermis, to keep
skin intact despite the rigorous stretching.
Remember that it is important to take care of yourself
during the postpartum period as well. The dramatic
weight loss makes your skin susceptible to stretch
marks once again. In addition, you certainly need
to keep your whole body strong to cope with the
stresses of recovery from childbirth and the demanding
duties of motherhood.
If you do follow all of these guidelines yet still
develop stretch marks, don’t despair. They
will fade in time to small silvery lines, and become
much less noticeable. Yet for the relatively small
price of a few minor imperfections in your skin
(and perhaps a few lingering bulges around your
midsection), you will have the overwhelming privilege
of serving as mother to the tiny, helpless little
bundle of joy you hold so gently in your arms. Congratulations
on your pregnancy, and best wishes for a healthy
baby!
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