Can You Avoid Getting Stretch Marks During Pregnancy?

Being pregnant is a beautiful miracle and can leave you feeling glowing and radiant, but it also takes its toll on your body. Having your belly expand and contract can leave you with deep stretch marks, which can make you self-conscious about your stomach.

Stretch marks happen when your skin expands too fast for the fibers to handle, such as when an 8lb human being grows inside you over nine short months. The tissues of the skin start to tear, which results in purple marks along the surface.

Your genetics will party determine whether or not you will be likely to get stretch marks, and there is not much you can do about that. However, there are a few things that you can do during and after pregnancy to reduce your stretch marks.

Creams and Oils

When you are pregnant, you can rub your belly with a cream or oil which contains sweet almond oil, cocoa butter, or vitamin E. These ingredients have been shown to improve the elasticity of the skin. Rub them on your belly in a circular motion several times per day.

Avoid letting your skin gets dried out, such as when you have a hot bath or when it is cold outside. Always apply cream to your belly whenever you get out of a warm bath or shower.

Eat Healthy

Eating a healthy diet will not only be good for your baby, but it will also help your skin to be stronger and more smooth. Take all of the prenatal vitamins that your doctor recommends and eat plenty of vitamin-rich fruits and vegetables and whole grains.

Your appetite will increase when you are pregnant, and you will have to take in approximately 500 calories more per day to nourish the baby. However, just because you are “eating for two,” it doesn’t mean that you should fill up on calories from junk food.

Drinking lots of water with every meal will also improve your skin because it will keep it hydrated and allow it to maintain elasticity.

Laser Surgery

If you are unhappy with your stretch marks after the baby is born, there is the option to get rid of them by using laser surgery. This technique will not altogether remove the marks, but it will help them to fade until they are barely noticeable. Keep in mind that the NHS does not cover laser surgery so that it will come at a cost to you.

These are just a few of the ways that you can reduce your stretch marks so that you will be comfortable wearing a bikini even after your child is born.