| Stretch marks
Almost all pregnant women want to know how they can avoid stretch marks. Unfortunately, there is nothing guaranteed to prevent them, though there’s no harm in trying! Stretch marks are thin reddish streaks that usually occur on your tummy and your breasts, as well as on your thighs and bottom. Once you have them, they never completely disappear, though they fade to a silvery colour and, if you have pale skin, become much less noticeable after the baby has been born. If you have dark skin, the silver lines may be more noticeable. Stretch marks are caused by a weakening or tearing of the fibres of the skin. This may happen if you gain a lot of weight in a short period of time (or even when you grow rapidly, for example during adolescence). In pregnancy, it can also happen as a result of the effects of the hormones on the structure of your skin. If your stretch marks are caused by your hormone levels, there is little you can do to prevent them. Massaging your tummy with creams or oils may feel pleasant and keep the skin supple, but there is no medical proof that it will make any difference to the stretch marks. You might be able to reduce the chance of getting them by trying not to put on excess weight, but though it’s a good idea to avoid empty calories, there is no point in restricting your diet in the hope of avoiding stretch marks. Stretch marks may start to appear from as early as 3 to 4 months. |
