The precious baby you bring into this world creates many changes in your life. Many of the changes that come with being a mother are wonderful; however, stretch marks are not the most positive post-baby body transformation women must deal with!
Are stretch marks something all pregnant women should expect, or can they be prevented with the right maternity care techniques?
The Mayo Clinic defines stretch marks as follows:
Stretch marks (striae) are pink, red or purple indented streaks that often appear on the abdomen, breasts, upper arms, buttocks and thighs and eventually fade to white or gray. Stretch marks are particularly common in pregnant women, especially during the latter half of pregnancy. Treatment can make stretch marks fade, but it won’t completely remove them.
Stretch marks occur because of small tears in the dermis which is the second layer of our skin. The average woman gains approximately thirty pounds during pregnancy. When this happens, the skin stretches trying to keep up with the weight gain and results in unsightly stretch marks.
Ninety percent of all women will experience stretch marks right around their sixth or seventh month of pregnancy. Although pregnancy is the most common reason why a women gets stretch marks, there are other times in a person’s life when it can happen. For example, it can also occur if one experiences significant weight gain over a short period of time or if a child displays rapid growth or hormonal shifts during puberty.
Unfortunately, there is no magic cream, pill or potion to prevent or completely remove stretch marks. However, there are suggestions to keep them under control and to aid in the fading process.
- Keep your skin well moisturized during pregnancy.
- Stay hydrated.
- Vitamin C, E and Zinc are excellent for skin.
- Massage your skin with a massage brush to help increase circulation.
- There are laser treatments which promote collagen production. This aids in thickening the dermis which can reduce the appearance of the stretch marks.
- If you are going to treat them, do it in the early stages while the stretch mark is still red.
If you are pregnant and seeking an experienced doctor to guide you through every step of your exciting journey, contact our Gainesville or Lake City post-pregnancy care physicians today to schedule an appointment.
Continue learning about the post-pregnancy life changes that can occur after your baby is born by browsing the articles in our knowledge center and blog.
