Birth & Beginnings: childbirth conversations : Managing Stretch Marks

Managing Stretch Marks

Posted by mamas

Posted: March 26, 2008 - 1:31 pm

What causes stretch marks is not as important to pregnant women as what can be done to manage them. Causes range from rapid weight gain to genetics to hormones. What we as pregnant women usually wish for is a miracle. Some women truly do not have stretch marks appear throughout their pregnancy or they are very minimal. While others, have a body that they do not recognize afterwards.

Certain women develop a sense of low self-esteem and body image. While other mothers proudly show off their stretch marks and state that they are warrior wounds of motherhood! A spouse’s opinion of her post-pregnancy body can make or break a woman in many cases. My husband took one look at my stretch marks and exclaimed that it looked like a cool tattoo of an eagle on my stomach. Although this wasn’t exactly the compliment I was looking for, it was nice to know that they were not as big a deal to him as they were to me and they did eventually fade.

What can you do to prevent the itching and stretching? Mostly keep your skin hydrated, take your vitamins, and search out a good product that is safe for use during pregnancy. Unfortunately, I didn’t find a product until my third trimester with my first son, but once I got in the habit of applying it, my body felt the difference. I used the Belli product Elasticity Oil and then the Belli cream for after pregnancy to reduce the appearance of stretch marks. Bio-Oil is supposed to work wonders as well. Also there are coco butters and creams that some women swear by.

If your stretch marks do not fade as much as you would like after pregnancy, you could take it to the next level and purchase a scar removal product such as Mederma. However, ensure that you are not nursing a baby when you use such strong products. Mothers of all ages are now opting for micro-derm abrasion to lightly remove the top layer of skin and allow new more elastic skin to grow in its place. There is even a laser/light therapy that some women are trying.

In the end, keep a positive attitude and stay focused on the fact that you are growing a baby. Bringing a life into the world is a calling worth stretch marks in my opinion. And if someday your child asks you about the faded silvery lines on your tummy, you can smile and explain the miracle of how you carried them in a womb home all their own before they were born.

What do you think about stretch marks? Do you know of any amazing products?

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