Pregnancy stretch marks are very common and it occurs at various places including belly, lower abdomen, thighs and even hands. The stretch marks often appears in these places since your skin becomes less elastic. Stretch marks can usually be easily seen on arms and buttocks.

What Are Stretch Marks?

These are thick, dark purple lines that surfaces due to the over stretching of the stomach, especially during pregnancy. The skin stretches beyond its limits when the baby starts developing inside the womb. This results in skin cracking, which eventually leads to ugly stretch marks.

It’s hard to completely prevent stretch marks from appearing since every woman has different types of skin, elasticity and texture. However, there are certain steps that can be taken for reducing these stretch marks and preventing the same from appearing.

Here are some of the best ways to prevent pregnancy stretch marks:

Avoid Overeating During Pregnancy

Even though pregnant women technically needs to eat enough to feed for 2 person, it is not that they are eating for two adults. Hence, it is very important to eat in moderate portions and avoid overeating. Overeating increases the fat content in the body, which accumulates and increases the chance of causing stretch marks. The recommended caloric intake for a pregnant woman is not more than extra 300 calories than her usual portions.

Drink Lots of Water

Plain water is nature’s best solution to almost any problem. Drink plenty of water when you’re thirsty and avoid juices or sugary drinks. Artificial fruit juices are packed with sugars and additives that can make you fat, whilst water helps in maintaining a slim body. Water also improves the elasticity of the skin that helps in avoiding pregnancy stretch marks.

Watch What You Eat

It is very important to eat healthy during pregnancy. A healthy diet containing all the essential nutrients makes the skin healthier too. Have lots of fresh vegetables and fruits, proteins and whole grains and some fiber to maintain a functional system during pregnancy. You should also add milk or dairy based food to your daily diet.

Olive Oil and Grape Seed Extract

Our grandparents suggested to massage with olive oil or grape seed extractduring pregnancy and how it helped in preventing stretch marks from appearing. Well, it seems so foolish then, but it’s true. As pregnancy stretch marks usually appear on the stomach, buttocks and thighs, you can massage olive oil in these areas at least once in a day and continue till the postpartum stage. Olive oil has excellent moisturizing properties that help in making the skin elastic.

Use Creams and Ointments to Remove Stretch Marks

If you see stretch marks are already beginning to appear, start applying stretch mark creams immediately. These creams and ointments are formulated to slowly reduce the lines and will eventually completely remove them. If you didn’t apply the creams immediately when the stretch marks begin to surface, it may time a longer time to completely remove it with the creams and ointments.

It isn’t really possible to avoid pregnancy stretch marks, but there are some lucky people who don’t get them. If you are not one of them, you will definitely need to seek some help.