Pregnancy stretch marks are basically scars that appear over the body when the skin is stretched beyond its ability. The collagen deposits located deep in the tissues break apart and tear before healing which results in the scar tissue you see as stretch marks.
At first, pregnancy stretch marks look like a reddish-purple streak in the skin, ranging in length from barely noticeable to a few inches long.
The reason for this is the stretched skin is more transparent and the small blood vessels that lie deep underneath become more noticeable. Over the course of 6 – 12 months they will fade to a silvery white colour.
Pregnancy stretch marks often appear on the breasts as they swell in preparation for milk production and on the stomach as it gets larger with the growing baby.
The reason for this is partly hormonal because during pregnancy the body produces hormones which help to soften the collagen in the ligaments of the pelvis so the area can stretch easily during childbirth.
Unfortunately this process also affects the collagen in the skin making it much softer meaning pregnancy stretch marks can form a lot easier.
Being pregnant also leads to extra fat storage and this again stretches the skin in other areas which is why you may also notice these marks on the bottom, hips, thighs and arms as well.
You are at a much greater risk of getting pregnancy stretch marks if you gain weight rapidly during pregnancy or if you are expecting twins or a large baby.
Given that rapid weight gain while pregnant is very common and almost unavoidable for most women, it is understandable why the statistics for pregnant women suffering from them are so high.
How to Prevent Pregnancy Stretch Marks
Stretch marks are permanent once you have them because the skin that has been affected will never be completely normal. However, after a few months they do fade to a much less noticeable thinner, whitish scar.
It’s not easy to prevent pregnancy stretch marks from appearing and there are no guarantees for not getting them but here are a few time tested tips you can use: –
Healthy Living
As with many aspects of health it is vitally important to maintain as normal a weight as possible. Gaining large amounts of weight very quickly is almost certainly going to increase your chances of having them.
Most experts would agree that whether you are using over the counter products, herbal supplements or even medicines, that taking care of your body will help to maximize the effectiveness of whatever product you’re using.
The following tips should be considered whilst attempting to prevent pregnancy stretch marks. Although stretch mark products will not work for everyone, following these guidelines will help ensure that you’ve given your skin and the treatment you choose the best chances of success.
- Eat a balanced diet to keep yourself and your skin as healthy as possible
- Take part in regular gentle activity and exercise
- Aim to drink at least 2 litres of water each day (don’t forget to work on your pelvic floor muscles too, even during pregnancy!)
- Take a pregnancy specific multi vitamin every day, they cost just pennies each and may help to cover any deficiencies you might have.
- Reduce or limit the amount of caffeinated drinks you consume especially coffee
- Use a moisturizer every day
- Always use a sunscreen when exposed to the rays of the sun
Creams and Lotions
There is no conclusive evidence that regularly applying moisturizing creams or lotions does have any effect on the appearance or the reduction of pregnancy stretch marks, but many women are convinced that the reason they didn’t suffer from them is due to this fact.
Massaging your skin everyday with a moisturizer or a massage glove can help to improve circulation, which encourages new skin growth.
You should select creams that contain vitamin E, vitamin A or alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs). AHA’s contain plant extracts, but always check that the product you use is suitable for pregnant women.
Though cocoa butter is an effective moisturizer, no research studies have shown its ability to either prevent stretch marks, or to reduce their appearance once a stretch mark has already formed.
It seems that best ways of stopping pregnancy stretch marks from appearing is to take care of yourself. Don’t massively overeat, yes you will need extra calories, but not thousands a day.
Massaging and moisturizing the areas that tend to be prone to suffering such as breasts, stomach and legs etc will also help. Don’t necessarily opt for an expensive cream expecting it to work miracles on your pregnancy stretch marks as sometimes even the simplest of solutions works just as well. Olive oil is the choice of many Mediterranean women and it does seem to work well.
Overall it seems that the best ways to prevent pregnancy stretch marks from appearing is by simply taking care of yourself.
