How to Prevent Pregnancy Stretch Marks

About half of pregnant women develop stretch marks. They appear as red or purple streaks in the skin. Stretch marks can appear on the abdomen, breasts, thighs and buttocks in the later stages of pregnancy when the baby does the most growing. Because they are unsightly and permanent, preventing their appearance is a common desire. Stop these marks before they start.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

1. Be prepared that in many cases, stretch marks are genetic and there is little you'll be able to do in terms of prevention if it's part of your skin's genetic build.
2. Watch your diet to try and maintian healthy weight gain. Gaining too much weight can cause skin to stretch too rapidly, resulting in stretch marks.
3. Try the creams, salves and oils on the market specifically for this cause. Though there's no research that proves they work, some users report positive results. Even if they don't prevent the marks, they do tend to relieve the itching that accompanies a growing belly.
4. Drink plenty of fluids. Drink 8 or more glasses of water each day to properly hydrate your skin and maintain its elasticity.
5. Continue prevention treatments even after you deliver the baby. Just as rapid weight gain can cause the stretching, rapid weight loss can as well.

Tips & Warnings

• Make an at-home belly cream from cocoa butter, olive oil and vitamin E cream.
• Avoid sun exposure and tanning booths.
• Keep skin as moisturized as possible, especially following hot baths or showers, or exposure to dry weather.