Avoiding Stretch Marks During Pregnancy

Stretch marks – you either love them or hate them. There are a few women in the world who welcome stretch marks as a symbol that they have brought another life into this world. For the rest of us sane women, they can make you feel self-conscious and miserable.

The reason that stretch marks appear during pregnancy is due to the rapid growth of the skin, particularly around the area of the belly. Well, let’s face it, you do have another whole human being growing inside of you! The fibers in your skin are unable to cope with the weight gain and they end up breaking. This leaves purple marks which will eventually fade to a faint silver color.

There is still a raging debate between experts about whether you are likely to experience stretch marks during pregnancy if your mother did. It is the current view of most that if your mother did have stretch marks, then you are more likely to get them too. There are ways and means that you can employ to help prevent stretch marks or even just make them less noticeable if you are already starting to get them.

Stopping or Minimizing Stretch Marks

Most women will apply creams and lotions to the affected areas during their pregnancy. These creams can help with the dryness of the skin or if the area is particularly itchy, but they will not be able to prevent stretch marks from forming on their own. You can massage the creams and lotions into the stretch marks hotspots to help increase the circulation and to minimize the appearance of any stretch marks that are determined to appear.
You need to keep your skin in good condition and well hydrated as soon as you find out that you are pregnant. You can do this by drinking plenty of water and eating the right kinds of foods. If you can, eat as much food as possible that contains Vitamins E and C. Also be on the look out for silica, which is a component that helps the growth of collagen, which is important in aiding the skin’s elasticity.

When All Else Fails...

If the thought of having stretch marks due to pregnancy still makes you depressed, then you can actually have laser surgery after the baby is born. This is a fairly new procedure and is still a controversial topic. The laser treatment works by repairing the collagen of the skin and is a non-invasive procedure. The only thing you would have to consider is the cost as it does not come cheap. If this is something that you would consider having done if it does turn out that you have stretch marks due to your pregnancy, make sure that you consult with a qualified practitioner who runs a registered clinic.