Pregnancy Stretch Marks
One of the major concerns of young pregnant women is pregnancy stretch marks. They are usually found on stomach, arms, thighs, abdomen and breasts. The worst part is they sometimes continue to exist even after pregnancy. So it is better to take care of them during pregnancy itself.
Stretch marks are a result of gain and loss of weight during pregnancy. Dermis, the deeper layer of the skin, is formed of elastic fibres called collagen. Whenever there is a change in body growth especially during pregnancy, the collagen fails to cope with the change and results in pregnancy stretch marks. This, in fact, is the damage of the underlying connective tissues.
Stretch marks are quite common among women when they are pregnant. But they are more prominent in women with a dry skin. It is important for every pregnant woman to follow certain precautions so as to avoid stretch marks. Taking a massage of cocoa butter twice a day on stretch prone areas is effective in reducing the pregnancy stretch marks. Taking a hot shower bath daily in the morning as well as in the evening also helps a lot. It opens the skin pores allowing it to stretch. But it is required to apply the cocoa butter massage every time you come out of shower.
Applying aloe vera gel or sandalwood paste on the stretch areas can be done so as to check the stretch marks. They prevent the skin from stretching too much during pregnancy and also take care of not showing any pregnancy stretch marks even after the birth of the child. Applying a mixture of calendula and wheat germ oil is also helpful in this regard. Massaging with olive oil or castor oil or almond oil also has the same effect as that of calendula and wheat germ oil.
Taking a healthy and well balanced diet is utmost important in pregnancy. It is the root cause of weight change in pregnancy which in turn is a cause of pregnancy stretch marks. Intake of a well planned diet including plenty of fruits, vegetables and healthy oils can nourish the body with all required nutrients and also keep the weight stable, as recommended. Putting excessive weight is not advisable as they can result in more stretch marks. Proper hydration keeps the elasticity of the skin intact. So drinking water and fruit juices in plenty is recommended. That would keep the collagen production at normal levels and prevent stretch marks.
In order to prevent the pregnancy stretch marks, proper blood circulation on the stretched area is necessary. The effective way of doing this is exercise. Regular exercise helps in the nourishing of the skin and the proper circulation of blood. Rubbing or massaging the stretch areas with a body brush or cloth can improve circulation in those areas thereby preventing the marks. Keeping the skin moisturized in essential till the pregnancy is over and you are back to the normal weight of yours. Moisturizing lotion can be used for this purpose. Although they are not medically confirmed to clear the marks from the skin, yet they can be used for avoiding the skin to be dry and itchy.
Usage of turmeric and curd mixture on the stretch prone areas before going to bath is recommended. It can be taken as an anti-stretch mark pack. Even turmeric-lemon cream can be applied for massage to prevent the pregnancy stretch marks.
If the marks still persist despite the above mentioned homely treatments, consulting the physician is important. He can prescribe you with the best solution. You may be asked to use some anti-stretch mark creams which are meant to clear the stretch marks. Although a number of creams are available in the market, yet it is always better to go with prior prescription. These creams, though applied externally, can go to the deeper layers beneath the skin and help in clearing the stretch marks. Whatever way is followed in this direction, it is important to continue even after the delivery of the child. That is the time when you are supposed to reduce your weight fast and hence more prone to have these stretch marks.
It is important to take care of the skin during pregnancy. Following the above mentioned tips can help your pregnancy stretch marks go away. Even if they still persist, time will heal them. Gradually they will fade off and mix with the skin. In such a situation, it is better to take out these thoughts out of mind and take your best care so as to deliver a healthy baby.
