More than half of all pregnant women will develop stretch marks during pregnancy. Also known as striae gravidarum, stretch marks look like stripes on the surface of the skin and can vary in color based on the natural color of your skin. Most lighter-skinned women develop pinkish stretch marks, while darker-skinned women tend to have lighter stretch marks than the surrounding skin.
Most women develop stretch marks on the abdomen during pregnancy, however it is also common to have stretch marks on the buttocks, hips, breasts, and thighs. In some cases, up to 90 percent of women have stretch marks somewhere on their body as a result of pregnancy.
What Causes Stretch Marks?
Stretch marks form when the skin is stretched rapidly, as occurs during pregnancy. Most women develop stretch marks during the later trimesters of pregnancy, although some women begin to develop them as soon as their bellies begin to grow.
Stretch marks are actually small tears that form in the tissue that supports the skin and helps it stretch. Stretch marks represent the tearing or separation of collagen from the skin when the tear occurs. Stretch marks are not harmful or painful and usually disappear over time.
Who has stretch marks?
Many women believe that the use of lotions and creams helps prevent stretch marks. However, realistically speaking, the amount of stretch marks you get depends on how elastic your skin is. The elasticity of your skin is generally related to your genetic makeup. The best thing to do is find out if your mother had stretch marks during pregnancy. If you did, you are probably more prone to stretch marks than other women.
Keep in mind that the more weight you gain during pregnancy, the more likely you are to have stretch marks. Normally the skin is elastic and capable of stretching quite a bit, however for some women the changes that occur during pregnancy are very drastic. These rapid fluctuations in weight and stretching of the skin can lead to stretch marks.
Women with multiple pregnancies are more prone to stretch marks because their bellies tend to grow much larger than women with singletons. Other women who can develop stretch marks include women who gain a lot of weight quickly during pregnancy and women who have large babies.
Here are some other factors that can contribute to your susceptibility to stretch marks:
* If you developed stretch marks before (such as on your breasts during puberty), you are more likely to develop them during pregnancy.
* If you had stretch marks during another pregnancy, you will usually get them again.
* If you are overweight or gain more weight than recommended, stretch marks are more likely to appear.
* The better hydrated and nourished you are, the less likely you are to develop severe stretch marks.
Stretch mark prevention
Most women believe that they can prevent stretch marks by using creams and lotions. Today, there are many formulas on the market that claim to help prevent stretch marks. Some of these can help hydrate your skin and reduce itching. They can help reduce some stretch marks; however, there are no scientific studies to support it.
However, you probably know at least one parent who goes for cocoa butter or some other formulation to prevent stretch marks. If nothing else, rubbing these creams on your belly provides your unborn baby with a light and comforting massage. They can also give you the peace of mind of knowing that you did everything you could to prevent stretch marks.
The best thing you can do to minimize stretch marks, in addition to using whatever cream or moisturizer you choose, is to gain the recommended amount of weight during pregnancy. Doctors recommend that most women gain between 25 and 34 pounds. Earning much more than this can cause you to develop more stretch marks.
Eliminate stretch marks
Most women worry about stretch marks after having their baby. Fortunately, most stretch marks disappear over time. Usually after 12 postpartum moths, most stretch marks are mild and less noticeable. However, its texture may remain different from that of the surrounding skin. Many women notice that their stretch marks fade into whitish lines that are minimally noticeable.
Some women have very bad stretch marks that affect their self-esteem after pregnancy. There are many treatments available for women who want to improve the appearance of their stretch marks.
If your stretch marks are particularly bad, you can consult with your doctor or a dermatologist. Some topical treatments, such as tretinoin cream, can help reduce stretch marks. However, these creams should be used after pregnancy because they can cause fetal defects.
Most of the topical treatments available should be used shortly after delivery, before they start to wear off. The more time that passes between delivery and use of the cream, the less likely it is to be effective.
If you are breastfeeding, it is important to check with your doctor before using any stretch mark treatment. Some treatments can affect your milk supply or pass to your baby through breast milk.
Most of the creams available to reduce stretch marks do not help to alleviate the sagging skin that also accompanies labor. However, there are some newer treatments, including laser treatments, that can improve skin elasticity and help reduce stretch marks. Some women also consider plastic surgery after they have finished having children. A tummy tuck can help hide some stretch marks and reduce sagging skin.
Stretch marks can be happily overlooked by most women when they consider the miracle of life they bring to the world. For most, the little annoyance that even the worst stretch marks cause are worth it for the joy of bringing a newborn baby into the world. Do what you can during pregnancy to maintain a suitable weight and try not to worry too much about stretch marks. Many women wear them with pride, a “war wound” or a “badge of honor” related to their pregnancy. Why not wear them with pride?
