4 Ways to Prevent Stretch Marks During Pregnancy

Pregnancy comes with its own trials and tribulations, but it is all worth it once you get that beautiful baby in your arms. Stretch marks are just one of the ways your body will change after having a child. Otherwise known as striae gravidarum and striae distensae, stretch marks are purple, blue, brown, or silver lines that appear after the skin is stretched. They commonly occur in pregnancy, but can come from rapid weight loss or weight gain. Over time these stretch marks will lighten and become less noticeable, but you can take actions to reduce their appearance or prevent them from happening all together. 

When to Apply

There are many products you can use to reduce your stretch mark appearance. But, in order to see results you have to use them at the right time. For the best results you should apply these products before, during, and after pregnancy. Before you get pregnant or before your belly starts to grow you should start prepping your skin with stretch mark products like a belly balm. Applying this before will prep your skin with moisture to prevent stretch marks. You will also want to continue applying during and after your pregnancy to keep your skin moist and free of stretch marks. 

Belly Balm

Belly balm is a great choice for preventing and keeping your stretch marks under control. Belly balm is typically thicker than a regular lotion or moisturizer. It includes thick oils like jojoba oil, cocoa butter, and shea butter that provide a lot of moisture and life to the skin. It keeps your skin from struggling to stretch and assists it as your belly continues to grow. It also acts as a soothing agent for irritated and itchy skin that happens as your belly is expanding. Many people prefer to use a belly balm over a belly oil because it will not get on your clothes or drip, however, a belly oil is still an option for those that prefer it. 

Oils

Belly oils are a liquid product used to hydrate your growing belly skin. They are usually pure oil like jojoba oil and many essential oils including rosehip oil, lavender oil, and peppermint oil. They are usually packaged in a glass container and have a dropper for application. One thing to keep in mind with belly oils is the quality of the oils. You want high quality pure oils that are safe for your skin. Some people can be sensitive to these essential oils and may cause an allergic reaction, so it is advised to do a skin test on your wrist before applying over your whole belly. Also, consider that the oils may stain your clothes, fabric furniture, and any other fabric you may have around. For this reason you need to let them dry fully before coming in contact with these surfaces. 

Water

Water is the cheapest and most available secret there is when it comes to hydration. Ingesting water through your food and drink is an excellent way to keep your skin elastic and moisturized. Try to drink 8 full cups of water a day and include fruits and vegetables with high water content into your day. Water is not only good for your skin, but also improves focus, lubricates your joints, balances your blood pressure, and many other great health benefits. Making adequate hydration a habit is vital throughout pregnancy and the rest of your life. 

You do not have to be afraid of stretch marks because there are things you can do to prevent and minimize their appearance. Taking these simple steps of hydrating and using the proper products should take your worries and stretch marks away.