Avoiding Stretch Marks When You're Pregnant

Pregnancy should be a time of joy, but for many women it's difficult to deal with all the changes taking place in their bodies, including weight gain and stretch marks. Sadly, not all stretch marks caused by pregnancy can be avoided. But even though stretch marks during pregnancy are rather common for most women, there are preventive measures you can take to minimize the chances of deep scarring.

When the dermis is stretched beyond its limits, stretch marks occur. Keeping your skin hydrated is important to diminish this problem. Properly moisturized skin is less prone to stretching and tearing. You can keep your skin hydrated properly with two different approaches. For starters, drink a minimum of eight glasses of water per day to stay properly hydrated. Secondly, many pregnant women have found it helpful to rub body lotions or special elastin creams on their stomachs at least a couple of times per day to moisturize the skin and reduce the effects of stretch marks. The best lotions for stretch mark prevention contain ingredients such as collagen, vitamin A, and vitamin E.

Rapid weight gain during pregnancy also leads to a greater likelihood of these ugly scars forming. This is also the case for women who gain more weight than they ought to while pregnant. While you are pregnant, do not use your pregnancy as an excuse to overindulge on junk foods, just because you are eating for two. Instead, you ought to eat plenty of natural, wholesome foods that aren't processed.

There are other reasons why you ought to eat a variety of healthy foods while your baby is growing. You and your baby need good nutrition to insure good health; however correct nutrition also helps keep your skin healthy. Essential fatty acids, vitamin E, zinc, and other important nutrients all contribute to making your skin soft and supple. Prenatal vitamins can help to make sure you receive all the essential nutrients needed, but eating a well balanced, healthy diet is your best source of nutrition.

The probability of developing stretch marks throughout pregnancy is inversely proportional to the health of your skin. Even if you follow all the right tips, though, you may still end up with stretch marks. Pale skinned women and women expecting a large baby or more than one baby are more likely to get stretch marks. The good news is stretch marks fade though time and their dark red or purple color fades to silvery white. Even as stretch marks appear, there are particular creams that can be utilized to minimize their appearance. If you have the money for laser surgery, it can also be a good option to eliminate your stretch marks.