Pregnancy Stretch Marks: Prevention, emotions and support

The clinical term for pregnancy stretch marks is ‘striae gravidarum’.

Although some women develop them early in their pregnancy, stretch marks most commonly appear in the
second and third trimesters.

Pregnancy stretch marks most commonly appear on the tummy or abdomen (48%), breasts (25%), hips, buttocks
and thighs (25%).

Prevention of Stretch Marks

• Maintain a healthy weight.
• Exercise improves circulation, which keeps the skin elastic and more able to stretch as it grows.
• Gain weight gradually during pregnancy (ideally 11 to 16kgs in total).
• Eat a healthy diet (including foods that are rich in Vitamin E and C, zinc and silica).
• Stay hydrated (drink two litres of water a day).
• Avoid sugar which is linked to less elasticity in the skin.
• Massage can help increase circulation and nutrient supply to the skin, helping it stay supple.
• Massage Bio-Oil into areas prone to stretch marks twice daily (100% of subjects showed an improvement in the appearance of existing stretch marks after 8 weeks of massaging Bio-Oil into the skin5).

Emotions and your Marks of Change

Whilst stretch marks are very rarely a medical concern they can be a source of emotional discomfort and distress.
Clinical psychologist, Maropeng Ralenala, suggests the following ways to look after mental health and well-being during
times of change:

• Be informed – knowledge is power, understanding what’s happening will enable you to accept changes more easily.
• Exercise – it boosts self-esteem, will lift your mood and helps regulate sleep patterns.
• Eat a nutritious diet – a healthy body supports a healthy mind.
• Be flexible – you cannot control everything. Learn to let go.
• Ditch the comparisons – you are unique and your changes are too. Comparing yourself to others may create false expectations.
• Seek professional support when needed – it’s natural to feel uncomfortable during times of change, but if you are so distressed it is affecting your functioning and personal relationships seek professional help.

Support from partners during pregnancy

• Be supportive during periods of change (like pregnancy). When people feel loved and secure they cope better with physical and emotional changes.
• Be informed and prepared – change is inevitable – understanding what is ‘natural’ will enable you to support your loved one.
• Encourage a healthy, active lifestyle.
• Celebrate your child or partner’s marks of change.

About the Author: To see the Marks of Change video visit www.youtube.com/BioOilSouthAfrica #BioOilSA #marksofchange For further information on Bio-Oil visit www.bio-oil.com

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