The Best Stretch Mark Prevention During Pregnancy

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It’s so exciting when your belly starts to expand and you begin to actually show during your pregnancy, instead of just pretending in the mirror. But with all that expanding comes belly itching and sometimes even the dreaded stretch marks.

In fact, it’s thought that between 50% (but closer to) 90% of women will get stretch marks during pregnancy.

Of course, stretch marks are nothing to be ashamed of. In fact, many mothers see it as a badge of honor and celebrate their right of passage into motherhood.

But, not all mothers feel so lovingly toward this notion. In this case, what’s a new mom to do in her efforts to enjoy her new belly better?

Here we’ll go over all of the best stretch mark prevention tips for pregnant mamas. But first, let’s start with the basics.

 

What are stretch marks?

Stretch marks are “stringy like” lines that form in areas of your body where your skin has been stretched quicker than it can replenish itself.

They can come in a variety of colors, including pink, purple and red. Although after a while they tend to fade to a “silvery” color or your own skin color.

 

What Causes Stretch Marks

As the name implies, stretch marks are caused from your skin stretching a little too much. This can be from gaining or losing weight too rapidly or from being pregnant.

It can also be caused by too much cortisol in your system. According to Healthline,

Cortisone is a hormone naturally produced by your adrenal glands. However, having too much of this hormone can make your skin lose its elasticity.

Which means corticosteroid pills and creams can also cause you to have stretch marks.

 

Who’s Most at Risk for Stretch Marks

Alright, every newly pregnant mama has wondered, Am I going to get stretch marks? There’s no way to tell for sure or not. But there are certain people who are more at risk than others.

Such as:

• Being a woman
• Having paler skin
• Family with stretch marks (runs in the genes sometimes)
• Being pregnant (Especially multiples)
• Being overweight
• Rapid weight loss or weight gain
• Those taking corticosteroid drugs and creams

 

How to Prevent Stretch Marks During Pregnancy?

First, let’s manage a few expectations. Sometimes, stretch marks in pregnancy are not preventable.

It’s unfortunate, but it’s just the hand some women are dealt. I know from experience. I blame genetics. All the women in my family have tons of baby marks to prove that they were, in fact, pregnant at some point.

However, that doesn’t mean there’s nothing you can do. There are quite a few ways to minimize and help prevent stretch marks that do work for lots of pregnant women.

Here are things that every expecting mama should be doing while pregnant, to protect their skin from stetch marks.

I will admit, even after understanding that products may or may not work to prevent stretch marks, you can sure bet that I’ll be rubbing in my favorite cream each night before I jump in bed. Juuust in case it’ll help do something!

1. Eating Right to Prevent Stretch Marks

Aside from changing your genetics, this is the number one thing you can do to save your belly skin in pregnancy.

After all, the body is like a machine. If you give it the right fuel, it works right. (usually…)

Think of your stretch marks like scars. As your skin stretches it needs certain nutrients to quickly replace and rebuild more skin cells to accommodate for that stretching.

You also want nutrients that will help your skin build up collagen, which will make it nice and elastic. Extra stretchy skin means less stretch marks!

Nutrients that are essential for skin repair and stretch marks are:

Vitamin E: Great for skin health and acts as an antioxidant. Found in vegetable oils, nuts and nut oils, and avocados.

Vitamin C: Vitamin C is important for the production of collagen, which makes skin stretchier. It’s also essential for skin and wound repair. Get plenty of vitamin C by eating lots of citrus, kale, kiwis, chili peppers and rose hips.

I love rosehip and hibiscus tea! It makes a delicious, bright red tea. Add a bit of honey, lemon and ice, and you have a super healthy, vitamin C packed “cool-aid.” And it’s pregnancy safe.

Zinc: Another nutrient great for skin health and the immune system. Foods high in zinc are meats, legumes, nuts, seeds and dark chocolate!

Protein: Is an essential building block in your body, including for skin. Make sure to get lots of protein in your daily diet not only to help prevent stretch marks but also for the health of your baby.

Omega 3s: Omega 3’s are a MUST HAVE in my pregnancy book. Not only do they help your baby’s brain development, but they are great for mom’s mental health as well. You can read more about the science behind maternal mental health and Omega-3’s here. They are also great for skin health and elasticity.

I’ve been taking these DHA supplements since I was pregnant with baby number 1. They are made with fish that have less mercury in them than others, making it safer for pregnancy.

You can also get Omega 3’s in walnuts, cod liver oil, small fish, and chia seeds.

 

2. Limit Weight Gain

You don’t want to gain too much weight during pregnancy. I know from first-hand experience the problems that come with gaining too much too fast.

Now, I’m not saying starve you and your baby. On the contrary.

You want to eat plenty of nourishing foods during this vital time of life.  But, eating plenty of fresh fruits, veggies and unprocessed meats is very different than reaching for that 3rd twinkie. (And yes, they do taste better when you’re pregnant.)

I may or may not had an obsession with jalapeno poppers and ice cream during my pregnancy and ended up gaining a whopping 80lbs. Don’t do this.

Gaining too much weight during pregnancy could mean an increased risk of diastasis recti and stretch marks.

And depending on your prebaby weight, aim for a nice weight gain of 25-35 pounds. Your muscles and skin (and back!) will thank you.

 

3. Drink lots of water

Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate.

Drinking plenty of water will help you feel better and keep that beautiful pregnancy glow. It could also help prevent you from getting stretch marks as your pregnant belly grows.

When your skin is hydrated, its stretches easier.

 

4. Avoid Scratching

Another thing that happens as your belly grows, your skin starts to itch. Resist the urge to scratch though.

The scratching will damage the delicate skin. Instead, whenever your skin starts to itch think of it as a reminder to do 2 things.

1. Go drink a great big glass of water
2. And then, go apply a soothing belly cream. (We’ll tell you our favorites below)

If you absolutely must scratch the itch, gently pat the area instead. Don’t use your nails.

5. Work out

Working out is just generally good for you during pregnancy. It keeps your body limber, including your skin. It also increases the blood flow in your body.

This helps nutrients get to the surface of your body to nourish and repair your skin.

 

6. Call in the stretch marks creams

Finally, having a good stretch mark cream on your side can help prevent those pesky marks.

So find a product you love, and use it as directed. Along with the healthy living tips mentioned above of course. No cream will prevent stretch marks by itself.

 

The Best Creams and Oils to Prevent Pregnancy Stretch Marks

When looking for an awesome product to prevent stretch marks, there are a few things to keep in mind.

• Is the cream pregnancy safe?
• Which ones actually prevent stretch marks?
• How much does it cost?
• How long will it last?

After all, there are some very expensive creams on the market with lots of promises. Many of which come with a very small amount of actual product. Meaning you shell out a few hundred bucks, and it lasts a few weeks.

Not ideal in long pregnancy.

Here we’ll go over the best creams that actually work to prevent stretch marks during pregnancy.

[alert-warning]*One thing I’d like to note, there are A LOT of stretch mark creams marketed for pregnant women. However, after reseraching the ingredients in many of these “pregnancy safe” creams and oils, many are questionable. There are quite a few creams that we do not recommend, based on certain ingredients. Those will be listed at the bottom.[/alert-warning]

 

Stretch Mark Creams to Avoid During Pregnancy

• Bio Oil: This is a highly rated stretch mark oil, however it contains retinyl palmitate, which should be avoided during pregnancy. (Too much can cause birth defects and liver toxicity.) Not worth the risk.
• Palmer’s Cocoa Butter Massage Lotion For Stretch Marks: Another beloved stretch mark cream, but unfortunately has quite a few questionable ingredients, and scores an overall 4 on the EWG scale. With so many highly rated products scoring a 1, it just doesn’t seem worth taking the risk.

 

Conclusion

The best way to prevent stretch marks, is diet and exercise. Having as healthy of a pregnancy as possible is your best bet. Although, i’d definitely add in an oil or cream to my daily pregnancy to do list!

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