As soon as you find out you are pregnant you know things are going to be changing, from your waist size to those little stretch marks that pop up.
Stretch marks are exactly that, red or purple marks left in your skin because it has stretched. The most common areas for it to appear is the buttocks, thighs, stomach, breasts and even arms. 90 percent of all pregnant women will get them, whether they get a lot or a few depends on the body and how they are preventing them.
There are lots of lotions out there claiming to help prevent stretch marks, such as scar serum, cocoa butter, vitamin E cream etc.
You’ll need to try them out yourself first and see if they work for you. You’ll have to use them regularly and consistently. That’s where most women fail, they just use the creams occasionally and expect them to work.
The important thing is to make sure your skin is always well moisturized, as this helps in stretching the skin and not tearing it. There are new discoveries every day, so do ask your doctor or midwife what they recommend.
Try not to put on too much weight during the pregnancy. The recommended weight gain for the average, healthy pregnancy is about 25-35 pounds. Make sure you drink plenty of water, staying hydrated helps keep the skin healthy. The moment your skin dries out you can begin getting stretch marks.
If you’ve had one or more children your chances of getting more stretch marks will increase. Your skin has already been stretched out and you are about to do it again. Large babies and multiple babies can increase your chances of getting stretch marks too. Begin using preventing creams and lotions with vitamins A and E in them, as soon as you find out your are pregnant and try to lessen your chances of getting them.
Despite taking care you may still have a few stretch marks. However they do fade a bit with time.
Look at your stretch marks with pride and as a badge of honour. They should remind you of the gift that is that precious baby of yours!
