Your body is going to go through all sorts of changes (inside and out) as your pregnancy progresses (and after delivery as well). If you are very concerned about the “badges of honor” (as some call them) of motherhood, also known as stretch marks, now is a good time to start taking action. There are several different concoctions out there that are designed to help reduce the appearance as well as prevent the development of stretch marks. Essentially, these lotions work to keep your skin pliable so that as it grows and stretches around your ever growing womb the cells will be able to expand without force. This is essentially what causes stretch marks, the rapid expansion of skin cells without enough lubrication to foster complete replication. You can think of a stretch mark as more of a quick patch than an addition of new completely developed skin. There are many products available that are specifically designed for pregnant women; however the real important ingredient is cocoa butter. They do require daily (some times several times a day application) which translates to a serious commitment on your part. One thing to keep in mind is that since there is no known “cure” or “prevention” for stretch marks that is patenting effective, you may apply your cocoa butter everyday without fail and still end up with stretch marks across your abdomen. For example, I took care to apply a lotion to my belly starting at about 8 weeks and did not get a stretch mark until about 34 weeks, when it seemed as though I woke up one day with a zebra pattern across my tummy. I know now that it is not as bad as it seemed that day but it still happened. So please do not feel slighted if you make the effort and can’t avoid the result.

Another known practice to reduce the chances of stretch marks is being sure you are consuming enough water, essentially providing the extra lubrication from the inside. This is something you should do regardless of your concern for stretch marks, because being well hydrated is a healthy practice in general. You can learn more about the importance of adequate water consumption in my article How Much Water Did You Drink Today?

Word of the week

Stretch Marks –noun a silvery streak occurring typically on the abdomen or thighs and caused by stretching of the skin over a short period of time, as during pregnancy or rapid weight gain. (www.dictionary.com)  

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