Pregnancy Stretch Marks

Having babies accounts for many changes internally, but those are soon forgotten once your baby is born. Mother nature, however, seems to have a more permanent way of making sure you remember pregnancy: stretch marks.

Causes of Stretch Marks
The skin is very pliable and can stretch to extraordinary widths, but not without some degradation of the skin. Heredity and rate of weight gain will both play an important part in the formation of stretch marks. If your mother and grandmother suffered stretch marks during pregnancy, there is a great chance you will too. There is also the fact that weight is gained faster than ever before, especially in the third trimester of pregnancy.

For women that are pregnant with multiple babies, having heredity on your side makes no difference.  Multiple pregnancies are more apt to cause thick, deep stretch marks due to increased weight gain and uterine size.

Important Facts About Stretch Marks
With 90% of the pregnant population suffering from stretch marks, there is little that can be done to prevent them. Medical treatments aimed at reducing the look of stretch marks are not proven and are deemed unsafe during pregnancy.

Treatment for Stretch Marks
There are plenty of old wive’s tales out there for pregnant women who want to prevent stretch marks. Some women choose to rub cocoa butter on their belly while others eat an apple a day. With a 90% rate of occurrence, it seems these treatments are not really that effective, though they may help you feel more in control of her pregnancy scarring. Just make sure you research any treatment you use to make sure it is safe!