How To Prevent Stretch Marks

Completely preventing stretch marks is going to be impossible for most people. Pregnancy, or any type of weight gain in a short period of time, almost always causes trauma to the skin at some level. However, there are a number of steps you can take to minimize the appearance and duration of stretch marks. Some people are even able to completely avoid them altogether. However, it's not clear if this is because of preventative measures, or because of genetics and other factors.

Proper Diet

Working with a health care professional to determine a healthy meal schedule and diet is important. Eating plenty of nutritious food is important, but gaining too much weight can be bad for your baby and you. Your doctor will be able to give you an idea of how much weight you can gain safely. The most important thing is getting enough nutrition for you and your baby. Gaining too much weight, however, can stress your system. Stretch marks will be more severe if you have gained too much weight too quickly.

Moisturizers

Most people agree that using moisturizers can help prevent stretch marks. They increase elasticity, which may reduce the damage done to skin. There are a large number of creams and lotions available for preventing stretch marks.

Talk to a Doctor

Talk to a OBGYN or your family physician to get a better idea of how to prevent stretch marks and maintain a healthy weight during pregnancy. The Internet is a useful tool for learning about various options, but is not a replacement for the experience and training of a Medical Doctor.