Stretch Marks---How to Prevent Them During Pregnancy

Stretch marks. Nobody wants them. You don’t know for sure until you are in the late stages or pregnancy and post pregnancy if you are going to be one of the unlucky ones that get stretch marks. Statistics show that more than half of all pregnant women develop stretch marks during pregnancy…some worse than others.

Research shows that stretch marks are largely genetic (meaning you are pre-disposed to have them if your mother or sister got them), but there are some things you can do to try to prevent them, or at least minimize the scarring.

1. Eat healthy, balanced meals. Don’t overeat. Keeping your weight gain between the recommended 25-35 pounds for an average sized pregnant woman will help you prevent your skin from stretching too much or too fast. A controlled and steady weight gain will let your skin stretch at a steady rate, thus making stretch marks less likely than if you gained a lot of weight all at once.

2. Drink plenty of water. Keeping your skin hydrated will keep it healthy during the stretching that inevitably comes with pregnancy.

3. Keep your skin moisturized beginning in the first trimester (start in the second trimester at the very latest) and keep up your moisturizing through post pregnancy as your skin continues to stretch and resort back to your pre-pregnancy size. These moisturizers will help keep your skin supple. There are many oils and creams on the market to choose from to help keep your stomach moisturized. Pure and Honest Kids has a few stretch mark products below for you to check out!

Remember that it is also important to take care of yourself during the postpartum period. The dramatic weight loss makes your skin susceptible to stretch marks once again.

Happy pregnancy from Pure and Honest Kids!

Erbaorganics Stretch Mark Cream
$18.00
For the Mommy-to-be, Erbaorganics skin smoothing stretch mark creams promotes healthy skin while locking in moisture and keeping it soft and supple. Ideal for growing bellies, the organic shea butter and organic sea buckthorn embrace the body with moisturizing nutrients, helping it to grow with pregnancy versus fighting against it. This luxuriously healing organic aloe base lotion contains carrot seed oil for elasticity, organic rosemary - a wonderful anti-oxidant, and organic lavender which is incredibly healing, with a super-safe food grade preservative to maintain ultimate freshness. Remember to take care of yourself as you take care of your growing baby! 85% organic. 4 oz tube.

Erbaorganics Mommy Travel Kit
$22.00
With so much to think about when you're expecting, Erbaorganics tries to make life a little easier by including all of your must-have Mommy-to-be products in one convenient traveling case. The kit contains small sizes of four sensational eco-friendly organic pregnancy products in a reusable travel bag. Organic stretch mark oil and organic stretch mark cream work to help the belly grow with pregnancy versus fighting against it while organic mommy oat bath soothes the skin, reducing itchiness, and organic foot and leg refresher helps reduce the appearance of swelling and soreness. Great to give or receive as a gift!