Preventing stretch marks during pregnancy
Nobody wants to develop
stretch marks, but when you’re
pregnant you know that, along with nausea, fatigue, backaches and frequent urination, stretch marks are another distinct, unpleasant possibility. In truth, between 75 and 90 percent of all pregnant women (90 percent of white women) develop stretch marks during pregnancy. Look for the angry red lines to appear on your
bulging abdomen, usually during the sixth or seventh month of pregnancy. But don’t stop there - there are a few other places you might want to check, too. Unfortunately, stretch marks also can show up on other areas that tend to get larger during pregnancy. These include the upper thighs, buttocks, breasts and even arms, depending on the amount of weight gain, your genetic history, and whether or not you make a concerted effort to prevent stretch marks.
What can you do to beat the odds and prevent stretch marks?
Scientists argue about just what you can do for
prevention, but one thing is fairly certain:
genetics do appear to play a role in whether or not you are predisposed to getting stretch marks. This means that if your mother got stretch marks during pregnancy, you may be more likely to get them yourself. However, there are some things you can do to limit the possibility of getting stretch marks. Following these guidelines, all of which are good for your overall health and the condition of your
skin, will go a long way toward putting the odds in your favor.
- Eat a healthy, diverse and balanced diet that keeps your weight gain within the recommended range of 25 to 35 pounds. Excellent nutritional status is vital for your developing baby, but it also contributes to the strength and health of the body’s largest organ: the skin. What’s more, a controlled and steady weight gain, without any wild upward swings, will let your skin stretch at a steady rate without any unexpected jolts.
- Use a body brush or wash cloth to massage the areas where you have stretch marks, or want to prevent stretch read more
