Pregnancy can have a lot of unpleasant side effects that might take a toll on your body image and mental health. Weight gain, stretch marks, and changes to your skin and hair are common and can be very hard to cope with. Many women also suffer from back pain, varicose veins, and edema (swelling in the feet, ankles, and legs). Dealing with the symptoms can be discouraging, especially when you’re already experiencing hormonal changes and lack of sleep due to having a newborn. It’s no wonder that so many women suffer from baby blues or postpartum depression. If you are struggling with your mental health after having a baby, please reach out for help. There are many resources available to you and you are not alone.
You can ease some pregnancy issues, but some changes are uncontrollable.
During pregnancy, you may be able to prevent stretch marks on your stomach. Although experts disagree on the matter, there is no concrete evidence that suggests stretch marks can or cannot be avoided. You can take certain precautions, such as using moisturizing creams or lotions, to help keep your skin hydrated and prevent stretch marks.
Basically, if you want to avoid stretch marks, you need to take care of yourself and stay healthy and strong. Here are some tips to help you do that:
Stretch marks are markings that can happen on the skin during pregnancy, when the skin is stretched out from the extra weight. You can help prevent them by maintaining a healthy diet and not gaining too much weight. This doesn’t mean you have to diet, but rather be aware of what you’re eating and make sure most of it is healthy and nutritious. You can still enjoy an occasional treat! Just be mindful of your overall diet and don’t let your new shape cause you to lose all sense of healthy eating.
Regularly moisturizing your skin with a cream containing vitamin A or E, applied once daily by hand or with a massage glove, can improve circulation and elasticity to prevent stretch marks.
Dehydrated skin is more prone to developing stretch marks, so make sure to drink plenty of water each day. Experts recommend consuming at least 2 liters of water daily to keep skin hydrated.
Taking a vitamin supplement can improve your skin quality. A prenatal formula or a regular multivitamin can help if you have any vitamin deficiencies. This, in turn, can help improve your skin’s overall quality.
Staying active is not only great for your overall health, but also for the health of your skin. Exercise helps improve circulation, which means that the skin will be supplied with nutrients much faster. The increase in oxygenated blood from your lungs will also improve the quality of your skin. In addition, exercise will help burn off any excess calories that could be stored as body fat. Excess fat can stretch the skin and lead to the formation of stretch marks. However, you don’t have to do high impact exercise in order to reap the benefits for your skin. Gentle activities such as walking and swimming are ideal.
The best way to avoid stretch marks is to prevent them in the first place. Many women who haven’t been affected by them swear it was the action they took during pregnancy that was the reason for them not getting them. Diet and exercise are the best ways to avoid stretch marks.
The nine months of pregnancy and beyond can be tough on your body, with many uncomfortable and sometimes dangerous side effects. So it makes perfect sense to do everything you can to avoid them. Not only will you feel better and be happier about your post-pregnancy body, but your new baby’s health will be improved dramatically.
