Genetic factors can influence the development of pregnancy stretch marks. Therefore, there is a high chance for the predisposition to be passed on from mother to daughter. Moreover, if the mother is to be developed or given signs of developing stretch marks during her adolescence, chances are they will appear during pregnancy. The women in question need to embrace a healthy and balanced lifestyle during pregnancy and after giving birth to minimise stretch marks.
Although stretch marks can be hard to avoid or eliminate, some methods can help the mother adjust to her body changes during pregnancy. These methods include a healthy diet and lifestyle, exercising, drinking sufficient quantities of water, moisturising the skin and maintaining healthy after delivery.
Start your treatment as early as possible.
The treatment needs to begin during the early stages of the stretch marks’ development. More importantly, it is always easier to prevent than to treat. Successful prevention is possible by using specialised creams, such as TriLASTIN, that help the skin maintain its elasticity.
Five ways to reduce the appearance of stretch marks on your pregnancy
Keeping a healthy diet and lifestyle
One of the most important aspects of a healthy lifestyle during pregnancy is the type of diet that the mother follows. The food influences the weight input, and many doctors recommend a gain of 25 to 35 pounds, depending on the mother’s weight before the pregnancy.
The weight should be gained consistently because a fast weight input is usually the leading cause for the formation of stretch marks, as the skin does not have time to adjust to the transformation gradually. With a balanced diet, you can reduce the abrupt changes in the body, and thus you can inhibit the development of the stretch marks.
According to an obstetrician’s advice, pregnant women should include vegetables and fruits in their diet to cover about one-quarter of their meals. Whole grains, calcium and proteins can also be very beneficial. It is essential to avoid sodium-based foods, as sodium encourages water retention, accentuating stretch marks.
Besides contributing to avoid the unaesthetic stretch marks, a healthy diet also ensures a healthy environment for the baby’s development. Moreover, it helps the mother maintain her general health and enjoy an easier recovery after giving birth.
Doing regular physical exercises
Another beneficial factor in preventing stretch marks is physical activity outdoors and indoors. Tests show that good blood flow reduces the formation of stretch marks. It is recommended for all expecting mothers to exercise, no matter if they do it in an organised environment or at home, under supervision or by themselves, to continue with their pre-pregnancy habits or to prepare themselves for giving birth to avoid massive weight gain.
Every pregnant woman should exercise for at least 30 minutes a day. It can be swimming, walking, swimming, hiking or pilates, fitness or yoga dedicated to pregnant women, but nothing that requires a high amount of effort. Throughout pregnancy, swimming relaxes the body as the water takes over some of the belly weight.
In exercising, the mother learns to control the weight gain and reduce some of the sudden stretching forces that affect the skin. Moreover, physical training contributes to maintaining a healthy heart and circulatory system. It makes breast milk more nutritious, oxygenates the placenta, delivers more nutrients to the baby, and can ease the mother’s recovery after it.
Drinking water – controlling the weight gain
Hydration is vital during pregnancy, as the required amount of water increases to supply the blood flow, the placenta and the amniotic fluid. The lack of water can cause cramps, contractions, headaches, makes the skin drier, and causes it to lose its resilience.
The necessary amount of water during pregnancy is approximately 8 or 9 glasses of water daily, and it should increase in case of demanding physical activities or in drier environments.
This amount does not include liquids such as tea, coffee, milk or juice. Drinking sufficient water helps the body remain hydrated and allows the mother to control her weight intake, thus preventing stretch marks.
Moisturising the skin for a better appearance
Stretch mark prevention is possible by applying natural moisturising OTC stretch mark cream to the body areas that are more likely to develop stretch marks. Creams that include cocoa butter, Shea butter, vitamin E, almond oil, wheat germ oil and other essential oils and natural extracts have been helping women moisturise their skin for a long time. You should apply these to the abdomen area, the breasts, the hips, the buttocks, the lower back, the legs and the thighs. Moreover, you should also moisturise the places that feel dry or itchy more intensely.
The effects of using moisturising creams may not be radical, but moisturising is an essential factor in keeping the skin soft and giving it a pleasant appearance. This type of prevention may have different results from one woman to another, depending on the skin type. However, many creams, especially the medicated stretch mark creams, are known to help reduce stretch marks on the condition for their use to follow the advice of a dermatologist or physician.
Medicated creams, although very effective, can only be used after delivery and after the mother stops breastfeeding because their powerful ingredients are considered harmful for the baby and can be absorbed by the mother’s body and passed along to the baby.
Maintaining a good state of health after delivery
Taking care of the body during pregnancy by following the above steps is fundamental. However, it is essential to maintain a healthy regime after giving birth because a sudden loss of weight can also cause stretch marks.
Continuing to eat healthy, exercising, hydrating and moisturising the skin after delivery will help the mother recover easier. After this time, if the traditional treatments do not payout, there are more radical solutions available. Some mothers opt for laser treatments or even plastic surgery.
Nonetheless, maintaining a generally healthy lifestyle, including good food, adequate water intake and physical activities, can contribute to the excellent development of the pregnancy and the prevention and reduction of stretch marks.