Stretch marks are one of the most worrisome issues pregnant women face when it comes to their physical appearance. However, there are still a number of misconceptions surrounding these unnecessary lines which appear on various parts of the body during pregnancy. Gynaecologist Dr Kiran Coelho, talks about stretch marks so that you can strike one item off your ‘worry list’ during those nine months.
Not just the abdomen: It is a myth that pregnancy stretch marks appear only around the abdomen. They can also appear on the breasts, thighs, hips, lower back and buttocks. Body parts where larger amount of fat is stored are more prone to these marks.
Making an appearance: The ideal weight gain is 9 to 12 kgs after the 20th week of pregnancy, at the rate of 1/2 kg per week. Excessive weight gain, or sudden spurts of weight gain contribute to increased stretch marks, especially in the early third trimester of pregnancy.
Can happen to anyone: It is a myth that women who are thin do not face this problem. Regardless of the body type, stretch marks surface, as during pregnancy, the skin does not have enough time to adjust to the expanding and contracting of the body, causing internal tears in the skin tissues.
When these tears repair themselves, they form what we know as scar marks. It is estimated that close to 90 percent women experience stretch marks during pregnancy.
Keep it supple: The best way to prevent stretch marks from appearing during pregnancy is to keep the skin hydrated and supple at all times. Eat foods that are rich in Vitamin E and C such as nuts, fish, spinach, citrus fruits, bell peppers and tomatoes. These have powerful antioxidants which help prevent tissue damage. Drink sufficient water and massage your skin with a natural moisturiser at least twice a day.
Exercise is good: Exercise improves circulation which keeps the elasticity of the skin intact. It also boosts energy, improves sleep patterns and enhances overall self image.
Natural products: You can also look at using natural products. Further, using a dry oil is beneficial as it gets rapidly absorbed into the skin, does not leave behind any grease and is not harmful to the baby.