Being pregnant is a wonderful miracle and can leave you feeling glowing and beautiful, but it also takes its toll on your body. Having your belly expand and contract can leave you with deep stretch marks which can make you self-conscious about your stomach.
Stretch marks happen when your skin expands too fast for the fibres to handle, such as when an 8lb human being grows inside you over the span of 9 short months. The fibres of the skin start to tear which results in purple marks along the skin.
Your genetics will party determine whether or not you will be likely to get stretch marks and there is not much you can do about that. However, there are a few things that you can do during and after pregnancy to reduce your stretch marks.
Creams and Oils
When you are pregnant, you can rub your belly with a cream or oil which contains sweet almond oil, cocoa butter or vitamin E. These ingredients have been shown to improve the elasticity of the skin. Rub them on your belly in a circular motion several times per day.
Avoid letting your skin get dried out, such as when you have a hot bath or when it is cold outside. Always apply cream to your belly whenever you get out of a warm bath or shower.
Eating a healthy diet will not only be good for your baby, but it will also help your skin to be stronger and more smooth. Take all of the prenatal vitamins that your doctor recommends and eat plenty of vitamin-rich fruits and vegetables and whole grains.
Your appetite will increase when you are pregnant and you will have to take in approximately 500 calories more per day to nourish the baby. However, just because you are “eating for two” it doesn’t mean that you should fill up on calories from junk food.
Drinking lots of water with every meal will also improve your skin because it will keep it hydrated and allow it maintain elasticity.
If you are really unhappy with your stretch marks after the baby is born, there is the option to get rid of them by using laser surgery. This technique will not completely remove the marks but it will help them to fade until they are barely noticeable. Keep in mind that laser surgery is not covered by the NHS, so it will come at a cost to you.
These are just a few of the ways that you can reduce your stretch marks so that you will be comfortable wearing a bikini even after your child is born.
Are you worried about getting stretch marks during pregnancy? Here are some tips for stretch mark removal and prevention.