Pregnancy & Childbirth

Stretch Marks in Pregnancy

One of the things women fear most is developing stretch marks in pregnancy. Stretch marks or striae gravidarum, the medical term, is something that nearly all women will have to deal with at some time during their pregnancy.

Stretch marks in pregnancy are red or blue lines that can usually appear on the abdomen, breasts, arms, legs, and buttocks. As the pregnancy develops and weight is gained, the skin is stretched beyond it’s usual elasticity. The production of collagen is affected, a protein that gives the skin it’s elasticity, and leaves the body more prone to developing stretch marks.

After pregnancy, the skin goes back to it’s original shape, stretch marks change their color and become white, smooth, shiny and flattened scars.

Although some women wear their stretch marks with pride, as a reminder of their pregnancies, most want to take what action they can to minimize the scars they leave after pregnancy and get their shape and looks back as soon as they can.

There is no hard and fast rule about which women are likely to develop stretch marks in pregnancy but research has shown that women can be more prone to stretch marks if there is a family history of them. Rapid weight gain can be another contributory factor, so can dehydration.

Women who have naturally dry skin can be more likely to develop stretch marks in pregnancy so using a good natural moisturising solution is a good idea.

How to prevent stretch marks in pregnancy.

Try and eat a healthy diet. Remember although you are pregnant you do not have to eat for two.

Keep your body hydrated. Drink plenty of water to enhance the elasticity in your skin and to stop your skin from become damaged through dehydration.

Don’t put on weight quickly. Give your skin a chance to stretch gradually. You will naturally gain weight during your pregnancy but sudden weight gains or losses can contribute to stretch marks.

Skin creams and lotions are a good
way of keeping your body well moisturised and enhancing skin elasticity. Natural products are the best choice. You don’t want any nasty chemicals that can be absorbed into the skin that can affect your unborn baby. Natural oils can soften and condition the skin during pregnancy, improve the elasticity of skin and underlying tissue and prevent unsightly stretch marks.

Some common natural products are:

Patchouli Oil: This is a treatment that has regenerative properties and is used for healing all types of scar tissue including stretch marks.

Neroli Oil: This essential oil will treat all skin types, oily or dry and will help with the regeneration of skin cells.

Mandarin Oil: This is a soothing oil. It moisturises and nurtures the skin while enhancing elasticity.

Rose Geranium Oil: Slows skin ageing, improves skin tone, and helps remove and prevent all types of scars, stretch marks, and cellulite.

Vitamin E Oil: This oil promotes healing in the skin, prevents damage from free-radicals and ensures optimum skin health. Treats all kinds of scars and stretch marks.

Rosehip Oil: Rebuilds damaged skin tissue and can reduce the appearance of current stretch marks as well as prevent development of new ones.

Just remember that although your stretch marks may look unappealing while you are pregnant, in time they will fade naturally and blend in more with your own skin coloring.

They can become exaggerated by lack of exercise, so start a fitness routine and a sensible diet as soon as you can after your baby is born.

One product that contains all the above natural oils is StretchEasy Massage Oil

John Thompson is co-author of www.natural-solutions-online.com a website dedicated to reviewing natural remedies for physical, emotional and psychological conditions.

With all the knowledge we have today regarding pregnancy and birth control, it is hard to understand why half of all pregnancies in the United States are unplanned. Should you find yourself with a pregnancy that was unplanned, here are some considerations to help you make a decision about the pregnancy.

What Are Your Options?

You may continue with the pregnancy, choosing to raise the child, you may continue the pregnancy, but place the child up for adoption, or you may choose to terminate the pregnancy. What to do about your unplanned pregnancy is your decision. What factors might contribute to your decision? First of all, consider your personal beliefs, and values, your present status and needs, and your plans for the future. A pregnancy, whether planned, or unplanned, has a great deal of influence on the rest of your life, as well as the life of your unborn child.

Your decision will be greatly affected by what your current situation dictates. What do you want at this point in your life? What are your current capabilities? While it’s true that you might decide differently had the pregnancy happened at a different time in your life, it is important for you to do what you feel is right for you right now.

Whom Can You Talk To?

If you are involved in a committed relationship, you should discuss the pregnancy with your partner. In this type of relationship, the news of a pregnancy, even an unplanned one, can be cause for great joy. However, while the choice of what to do is ultimately yours, it is necessary to find out how your partner feels about the pregnancy. Just as you assessed your own situation, you must consider your partner’s feelings, desires, and goals when making your choice. The decision will greatly impact both of your lives, as the responsibilities of having, and raising a child are shared responsibilities.

If you were not involved in a committed relationship when the pregnancy occurred, and you are trying to decide what to do about the pregnancy, it would be very advisable to consult with a health care provider. Health care providers are trained to be supportive, and non-judgmental. They will have all the necessary information you need about pregnancy, and if you request it, abortion. Additional support and information regarding an unplanned pregnancy can also be found in a number of community, and online resources for women. Your doctor, or other health care provider should be able to refer you to your community resources. Online support and information resources are available with a simple Internet search. The results will provide you with a large number of websites you can visit.

It may also be a good idea to speak with a trained counselor. An unplanned pregnancy can produce many different feelings in a woman, including guilt and fear. If you have these feelings, you need to talk with someone knowledgeable, and non-judgmental, whether or not you decide to go through with the pregnancy.

If you choose to raise the child, you will need to deal with your feelings regarding your pregnancy, and begin to prepare for motherhood. Should you decide to have the child, and then place the child up for adoption, you need to discuss the feelings of loss that may arise. If it is your intention to terminate the pregnancy, you will need to talk about this decision and how you really feel about it. Many people consider abortion to be unacceptable, but if it is what you really want, you may find it difficult to feel that you have done the right thing. Counseling is critical.

If you have strong religious beliefs, you will want to consider the teachings of your religion regarding pregnancy. Many religions oppose abortion, but not all women feel compelled to follow the teachings of their religion on what to do about an unplanned pregnancy.

If at all possible, confide in your family, or friends. It may also be advisable to talk to a priest, or pastor; especially if you are struggling with the decision to raise the child, or place the child up for adoption.

Whatever you decide, it is imperative that you get the required medical attention for your pregnancy. Be sure to take advantage of all support services offered in your community, or online. Don’t be afraid to share your feelings about the unplanned pregnancy, and about making your decisions, with someone you trust. It is important to make an informed, and intelligent decision regarding what you feel is best for you, not what you think may be expected of you.

Having made your decisions, accept them, and plan for the rest of your life.

Carl DiNello is an Article Author whose articles are featured on websites covering the Internets most popular topics.

To read more on this topic, please visit Pregnancy Information & Resources!

http://pregnancy.lkr-healthinformation.com/