Pregnancy is a beautiful thing, but no woman wants a “permanent” reminder of that time by having bright, red stretch marks left on her body afterwards. While genetics can play a factor in whether you get them (if your mom had them, you are more likely to get them too!), there are steps you can take to prevent them from even occurring, or at the very least minimize the amount you get. Here are some tips for helping to avoid pregnancy stretch marks:
Drink plenty of water.
Drink at least 8 glasses of water a day, if you are not already. This will help keep your skin hydrated from the inside, which improves the elasticity of your skin.
Don’t gain weight too fast.
This is one of the biggest causes of stretch marks. If you gain weight too quickly, your skin has no choice but to stretch out to accommodate your weight gain along with the weight of your growing baby. If your skin stretches out too quickly, it leads to tears in the skin, or stretch marks. Try to gain weight at a steady, slow pace and you may be able to avoid getting any stretch marks altogether.
Exercise.
Not only does exercise keep your weight down, boost your mood and energy, and improve blood circulation, but it is also good for your skin. Exercise helps keep your skin tight, supple, free of toxins, and it also greatly helps in increasing your skin’s elasticity throughout your pregnancy. Another benefit is that keeping up a regular exercise routine will help you get back to your pre-pregnancy weight after the baby is born. You will want to consult with a doctor first about what exercises are safe for you to do, but generally, things such as walking, yoga, and light aerobics are considered safe, low impact exercises that most women can do during pregnancy.
Take your pre-natal vitamins.
Taking your pre-natal vitamins is something that should be done anyway, not only for the health of you and your baby, but also so your skin will be receiving nourishment from the inside which will keep it healthy and flexible. Just as importantly, a healthy diet is necessary to provide you with many of the nutrients you need during pregnancy. Make sure to consume plenty of vitamins, A, C, and E, which are essential for healthy skin.
Moisturize your skin often.
Using lotions or creams on your skin alone won’t be enough to keep stretch marks away, but doing this along with keeping your weight in check can certainly help while also providing relief from any itchiness as your skin expands.
A popular product which may help in preventing stretch marks is cocoa butter. Apply it several times a day, in the morning and at night, to help keep your skin moisturized. Using oils can also be beneficial. Rubbing a little bit of olive oil on your belly not only makes a great moisturizer, but it is also safe and natural. Likewise, using oils, creams, or lotions specifically marketed towards preventing pregnancy stretch marks may also provide some help.
Don’t scratch your skin!
Last but not least, try to resist the urge to scratch your skin! Scratching your belly can cause tiny tears in the skin and possibly leave marks. Instead, the next time you are feeling itchy, simply apply more moisturizer to that area.