What Are Stretch Marks ?

What are stretch marks? is probably the first question that first-time, soon-to-be-mothers ask of their ob-gynecologist upon hearing the effects of pregnancy on their skin’s appearance. It’s a good thing that there are now good answers to good questions about stretch marks, including their prevention before, during and after their pregnancies.

What Are Stretch Marks?

Basically, stretch marks are scars left from the maximum stretching of the skin brought about by pregnancy. These usually appear during the third trimester when your belly starts to protrude (and when you feel like you have swallowed a whole watermelon during the night).

Stretch marks will usually appear in your abdomen (where there is maximum extension), your breasts (when your breasts start to fill out with milk), your buttocks and thighs (when you gain weight and your skin starts to stretch to accommodate the extra poundage).

Are There Risks and Risk Factors?

Health-wise, stretch marks do not pose a health risk to mother and unborn child. You will not cease to function, physiologically and psychologically speaking, because these are, after all, just scars. Or will be permanent scars, if and when you don’t do something about it.

Risk-wise, you must keep in mind that approximately 80% of pregnant women will have stretch marks as a permanent reminder of their reproductive capabilities. There are, however, risk factors that contribute to their development.

These risk factors include:

• Family history – If your mother has them, you probably will, too.
• Large babies – The skin is stretched tighter than normal, increasing your risk.
• Ethnicity – If you have fair skin, you have higher risks of getting them than your darker-skinned counterparts

What Are Stretch Marks Prevention Tips?

For pregnant women, there are certain precautions that must be taken before adopting prevention measures. The health of the fetus as well as the overall health of the mother must be considered simply because their lives are much more important than saving the skin from stretch marks.

The regular application of anti-stretch marks lotions, creams and ointments on your body, no matter whether you foresee them having stretch marks or not, is a very wise prevention move. You will also be reducing the itchiness and scratchiness, which are the main sources of skin discomfort for pregnant women, in addition to preventing the appearance of stretch marks in the areas concerned.

However, you must always opt for the hypoallergenic brands that contain natural ingredients like vitamins C, A and E, jojoba oil, cocoa butter, shea butter, lanolin, wheat germ oil, and grape seed extract as well as synthetic components like collagen and coenzyme Q10. Never purchase stretch marks creams and lotions that contain steroids such as hydrocortisone and tretinoin as these might be harmful to your baby.

Also, drinking plenty of water will help your skin hydrate from the inside, thereby maintaining its elasticity. Eat nutritious foods rich in vitamins A, E, C and B complex to nourish your skin from the inside, not to mention feed your baby.

Most important of all, you have to try to keep your ideal weight at each stage of your pregnancy. More than any other risk factor, sudden weight changes can lead to more stretch marks.

Where would you like to go next?

...Learn about home remedies for stretch marks?

...Find the one system I recommend for difficult scar and stretch mark removal?

...Discover the best lotions and creams for getting rid of them for good.

...Need those unsightly lines hidden right now? Learn these sneaky little tricks to hide stretch marks fast.

...Find out your options for laser surgery for stretch marks.



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