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

The post Pregnancy Stretch Marks: Prevention, emotions and support appeared first on All4Baby.

Skin type

Stretch marks tend to be associated more with darker-skinned women than with lighter-skinned women.

In a mixed race study, 77.8% of those with darker skin developed stretch marks in pregnancy, while only 45.2% of lighter-skinned women got them.

Age

Interestingly, it has been found that as you get older, you are less likely to develop stretch marks.

Family and personal history

In a study conducted in 2004, it was found that of the women who developed stretch marks in pregnancy, over half had mothers with stretch marks. In the same study it was found that 81% of the women with pregnancy stretch marks had pre-existing stretch marks.

Weight

Stretch marks depend on the extent to which the skin expands. As such it is thought that rapid or excessive weight gain can exacerbate their formation.

It is, however, better during pregnancy to focus on eating the correct healthy foods than to worry about how much weight you are putting on.

Skin and condition

Maintaining a nutritious diet and keeping skin well-hydrated will ensure that it is better able to stretch during pregnancy.

About the Author: Bio-oil has been trusted by pregnant women since 1987. For more information, visit www.bio-oil.com

The post Do all pregnant women get stretch marks? appeared first on All4Baby.