How to Minimize the Appearance of Stretch Marks While Pregnant

What you can do now to reduce future scarring.

If you’ve never been pregnant before and want to reduce the chance of getting stretch marks, there are things you can do to protect your skin. When you gain weight and your belly gets larger, stretch marks happen. You can reduce future scarring by taking a proactive approach to treating the area most susceptible to change.

Tips That Will Prevent Stretch Marks from Appearing or Worsening

Some of the things you can do to minimize the appearance of stretch marks while pregnant are:
• Eat a diet filled with antioxidant-rich foods. Make fresh fruits and vegetables a big part of what you eat while carrying a child. Foods such as spinach, strawberries, and blueberries not only taste delicious, they also nourish your skin and protect it from harmful free radicals which cause a myriad of health problems including cancer. The more of these nutritious foods you include as part of your daily diet, the better chances you have of avoiding big stretch marks caused by your pregnancy.
• Stay hydrated. Certain beverages keep the body healthier. Among the top picks are water and pregnancy-safe herbal teas. You can also ‘eat’ your water, too, by selecting fruits and vegetables to consume with high water content. H2O keeps the skin moist which allows it to recover better after it stretches. Carrying a refillable water bottle or canteen allows you to keep your favorite beverages with you wherever you go so you’re never without a sip of hydration while waiting.
• Go ahead and move your body. It’s important to keep your heart pumping and blood flowing to all your extremities while pregnant. That’s why you’ll want to continue exercising as much as possible during the nine months you’re carrying your child. Stretching keeps you limber and prevents stretch marks from appearing out of nowhere. Low-impact exercises such as pregnancy yoga helps you accomplish this with greater ease.
• Make Vitamin E essential. Known for protecting the membranes of skin cells, this incredible vitamin is a must-have. Use products that contain it as an ingredient. You won’t need to work hard to safeguard your skin from damage. Like antioxidants, the skin-protecting substance helps you be the healthiest, brightest version of you. If you’d rather add E to your diet naturally instead of taking a supplement or using a skincare product, you can eat nuts, seeds, broccoli, avocado, and collard greens.
Through diet, exercise, and a deliberate skincare routine, you can prevent pregnancy from taking its toll on your ever-changing body further by consciously protecting your skin. Following the four tips listed above helps you maintain the skin you were in before you became pregnant. It also allows you to take action if you do find stretch marks so you can minimize their appearance before they worsen.

Among the Best Pregnancy-Safe Products for a Mommy’s Body

Pretty Mommies Mama’s Little Helper Bump and Body Butter offers the perfect amount of moisturizing ingredients to prevent stretch marks from occurring. Using it right after showering or bathing allows your skin to stay soft and supple. Thanks to its combination of premium oils and butters, it’s light, creamy, and satisfying. A little goes a long way!