Did you know that it is said that 75-90 percent of all pregnant women develop stretch marks when pregnant? Apart from all the other factors that pregnant women may have to look forward to - like weight gain, fatigue, morning sickness, back aches and getting up all night to go to the toilet - stretch marks are a very real possibility for every pregnant women.



Stretch marks can occur on the breasts, abdomen, arms and legs and are most likely to appear during the sixth or seven month of your pregnancy. Whether you are likely to get stretch marks during pregnancy depends on the amount of your weight gain, your genes, your homes and what you have done to prevent stretch marks during the pregnancy.

There are many things you can do - including home remedies for stretch mark prevention - to lower the chance of you getting stretch marks when pregnant.

Here are some simple ways to prevent stretch marks during pregnancy:

1. Drink plenty of water during pregnancy. Though this may have the downside of meaning that you are constantly on the toilet, by keeping your body hydrated you are also keeping your skin hydrated.

2. Eat plenty of fresh produce, fruits and vegetables, healthy oils and low fat foods. Vitamins that are particularly great contributors to the appearance of the quality of your skin are Vitamins C, E, A and zinc - though foods rich in Vitamin A are best avoided during pregnancy.

3. Try not to gain too much weight during pregnancy. If you have a more steady weight gain your skin will stretch slowly and naturally thus lessening the chances of having stretch marks.

4. Increase circulation to the areas prone to stretch marks - abdomen, arms, legs, breasts for example - by using a body brush or a wash cloth to gently massage those areas.

5. Make sure your diet is balanced and nutritional. If you believe your diet could be improved then be sure to take vitamins which are critical for your overall wellbeing and that of your baby but also your skin, hair and teeth.

6. Make sure your skin is moisturized throughout your pregnancy but also after the birth of your baby till you get back to your pre-pregnancy weight. There are many stretch mark creams and oils that can help prevent stretch marks while pregnant. Vitamin E oil is a very popular massage oil during pregnancy to prevent stretch marks. These stretch marks creams and stretch mark oils have been specifically designed to keep your skin taut and firm during pregnancy.

7. Check with your doctor to see if you can undertake some mild forms of exercise during your pregnancy. Keeping your body in ship-shape and toned condition is a great way to make the most of what the body has to offer, also for your skin! Ensure that you include enough portions of protein, carbohydrates, and fats in your diet to feel and look your best and to reduce the chance of getting stretch marks during pregnancy.

8. Avoid stress as much as possible when pregnant. Making sure you have relaxing periods to yourself and reduce your stress levels will result in less stress on your skin. All of the above can contribute to your health, well-being but also the condition of your body and skin and ultimately lower your chances of getting stretch marks when pregnant.

However, stretch mark prevention does not stop after you have given birth. You are also prone to stretch marks following dramatic weight loss so it's important to keep all these lifestyle choices mentioned above in mind after the birth of your baby too.

By following these simple lifestyle tips to preventing stretch marks when pregnant you will greatly reduce your changes of getting stretch marks in the first place.

However, should you get stretch marks nonetheless remember that you are not alone and that there are many stretch mark treatments and home remedies for stretch marks to help reduce the appearance of stretch marks.

Stretch marks are a very small price to pay for the blessing of giving birth to a beautiful baby.

Copyright 2006 Karin Manning