Pesky Stretch Marks and Pregnancy

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Author: Louise Lundgren

Article source: http://www.articledeshboard.com/. Used with author's permission.

Appearing often during pregnancy stretch marks can affect 50-90% of women. They also can target non-pregnant women (even men) such as body builders, athletes, adolescents undergoing quick growth spurts, in fact anyone who experiences periods of rapid growth or weight gain.
From about 6 months on, stretch marks tend to appear as the baby and thus the women's stomach are undergoing rapid growth. A number of women also get them on their buttocks, thighs, hips, upper arms, lower back or breasts. They tend to be concentrated around the body areas that store the most fat and thus do the most stretching.
Many factors influence whether you will get stretch marks or not. Genetics play a major role in whether or not you will get stretch marks. For example if you mother or sister got stretch marks during pregnancy you are more likely to get them. Besides genetics, other influencescauses include: ethnicity/skin tone (fair-skinned women may get them more), nutritional history (a balanced diet helps skin to stretch better), skin condition (dry skin usually is less elastic than well nourished skin) and the amount of weight gained during pregnancy (and how rapidly its gained).
How to Help the Stretch Mark problems
Preventative measures will help reduce the degree of pregnancy stretch marks you experience after birth. Try not to gain more than recommended weight and gaining weight gradually will reduce the chances of getting them. Gaining weight excessively or rapidly is likely to make the problem worse and thus you will have more in the end.
Try to keep your skin well-moisturized beginning in the first trimester, this may help to prevent stretch marks. A nourishing lotion, oil or cream applied on a daily and nightly basis will moisturize your skin (and also reduce itching!). There are many products especially for stretch mark prevention that contain ingredients such as vitamin E, vitamin A, emu oil, cocoa butter, wheat germ oil and lanolin. Unfortunately these products have had limited effectiveness in preventing stretch marks but moisturizing certainly helps to keep skin elastic.
A balanced diet containing plenty of fruits, vegetables and leafy greens is essential. This will help keep your developing baby healthy and your skin strong and supple. Foods high in vitamins C and E, zinc and silica will help skin stretch and then bounce back after the birth. Taking prenatal vitamins and drinking plenty of water are also essential for a healthy baby and beautiful skin.
Unfortunately stretch marks are permanent and very don't often disappear. The good news is that stretch marks tend to become considerably less noticeable over time (naturally), eventually becoming a few shades lighter than your own natural skin tone. There are also many creams available that will help fade stretch marks, that you may like to try.

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