How to prevent stretch marks for pregnant women

Many women start to worry about developing spots and stretch marks after they become pregnant. They worry about turning into a yellow-faced woman after giving birth. Don’t worry, let the experts from Guiyang Hemei Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital teach expectant mothers how to prevent stretch marks.

The scientific name of stretch marks is "linea alba". In fact, everyone has it, regardless of gender. The linea alba is a linear band formed by the fusion of the aponeurosis of the abdominal muscles of the anterior abdominal wall. Muscle fiber tissue is attached to it, like the midline dividing the left and right sides of the belly. It is not obvious on most people usually.

Which pregnant mothers are prone to stretch marks?

During pregnancy, the secretion of estrogen and androgen is unbalanced, the pigmentation becomes darker and heavier, and this line will become obvious. About 90% of pregnant women will develop stretch marks, which usually begin to appear in the middle and late stages of pregnancy. However, the time when different pregnant women develop stretch marks varies, which is related to their personal physique, age, skin color, and hormone levels. Generally speaking, pregnant women with fair skin who are less likely to get acne marks will have lighter stretch marks; pregnant women with dark skin who are prone to pigmentation and scars from wounds will have darker stretch marks.

Stretch marks usually disappear gradually within a few months to a year after delivery, but some may disappear after a year or two or may not disappear completely. If pregnant mothers are worried and troubled by this, Ma Xiaoling reminds that they can try the following methods:

1. Control weight gain. If you gain weight too quickly during pregnancy, you are more likely to develop stretch marks. It is recommended that pregnant women's weight gain should not exceed 2 kg per month, and should be controlled within 11-14 kg during the entire pregnancy.

2. Stay away from sweets and fried foods. During pregnancy, you should take in a balanced diet to improve your skin quality and make it more elastic.

3. Skin care. From the second trimester to one month after delivery, use special anti-stretch mark lotion or olive oil for care, 1 to 2 times a day is appropriate.

How to prevent stretch marks?

1. Prevention of stretch marks should start three months after pregnancy. You need to moisturize your skin so that it absorbs enough nutrients to withstand the muscle stretching caused by weight gain in the later stages of pregnancy.

2. Expectant mothers can choose lotions, olive oils, massage creams, etc. that are suitable for their physical condition. They should choose mild and hypoallergenic moisturizing products to ensure that there is no irritation to themselves or the baby. In addition, moisturizing oils and lotions rich in essential oil ingredients, such as orange oil, almond oil, beef resin oil, and papaya oil can effectively fight stretch marks.

3. Lie on your back on the bed before going to bed, apply lotion on both hands, and then slowly massage from top to bottom and from left to right, each time lasting about 5-10 minutes. This kind of massage can also serve as exercise prenatal education for the baby.

4. If you always feel itchy skin during pregnancy, you can also carry a bottle of moisturizing oil spray with similar ingredients to ensure long-term moisturization of the skin.

5. In addition to moisturizing the skin from the outside, you also need to enhance the skin's elasticity from the inside! During pregnancy, you should avoid consuming too much sweets and fried foods. You can eat more foods that are strong in collagen fibers, such as pig's trotters. Eat more fruits and vegetables and drink a glass of skim milk every day. Improve your skin's texture and avoid stretch marks from the start by eating a balanced diet.

6. Of course, it is also necessary to insist on moderate exercise. Expectant mothers can insist on taking a walk every day, or doing some simple yoga exercises. By consuming a certain amount of fat, they can avoid rapid weight gain and prevent the appearance of stretch marks.