A lot of temporary changes can occur in and on your body during pregnancy; however most of these effects disappear when your baby is born. Stretch marks, on the other hand, are tears in your skin that will scar and remain visible for forever. They will initially appear as reddish pink lines on your body which turn into silvery white scars, but with the proper prevention techniques, you may be able to reduce the visibility of them or eliminate them completely.

Control Your Weight Gain

Stretch marks occur because weight has been put on too quickly and your skin can’t expand fast enough to support your larger size. By sticking to a healthy diet and getting regular exercise, you can put your baby weight on more slowly and avoid gaining the extra weight your body doesn’t need.

These marks can appear on your thighs, hips, buttocks, abdomen, breasts, and arms and sometimes you can’t always control where you gain additional weight. With a baby growing in your womb, expansion in your abdomen cannot be prevented. Being aware of the weight you are gaining and taking steps to slow the stretching of your skin can help to diminish these unwanted marks.

Keep Your Skin Hydrated

Keeping your skin soft and supple will allow it to stretch more safely. Dry skin will be prone to ripping, so moisturize often and keep yourself hydrated. Using skin creams that contain vitamin E and alpha-hydroxy will keep your skin stay pliable as well assist in the healing of marks that may already be forming. The use of these lotions will continue to reduce the sight of any stretch marks that occur so keep applying them even once your weight gain has stopped.

Massage Your Skin

Stimulating the circulation in your skin can also help to reduce tearing from weight gain. By bringing more blood to the surface, your skin will be healthier and less likely to develop unwanted marks, so be sure to massage it whenever possible. Your stretching skin may also become sensitive and itchy as it expands and scratching can lead to more stretch marks so try to massage it when you feel any discomfort.

It will be much easier to prevent stretch marks before they occur as oppose to getting rid of the ones that have already formed. Any marks that do form can be helped with the proper creams, but knowing stretch marks can happen before any weight gain has started is the first step in prevention.

A lot of women may think they should stay off their feet for their entire pregnancy or may feel too sore or tired to continue an exercise program. However, just because you’re pregnant doesn’t mean you have to give up on fitness for the next nine months. There are some things to keep in mind to ensure you give yourself a safe workout, but staying active can be very beneficial to many aspects of your pregnancy.

Relieve Stress

As a pregnant woman you are being bombarded with a flood of hormones, changes in your body, and a slew of aches and pains. There are times that you will feel frustrated, stressed out, and out of control. Sticking to an exercise routine can alleviate a lot of those extra negative feelings. Pre-natal yoga can have a very calming affect while mild cardio will release endorphins that provide a sense of well being. Exercise will also help to increase your blood flow and can prevent you from getting too stiff and sore from inactivity.

Easier Pregnancy and Delivery

The more muscle strength and flexibility you have, the easier your delivery will be. Not only will your added muscle tone help to support the weight of your growing baby, it can reduce your delivery time if you’ve strengthened your back, pelvic, and abdominal muscles.

The increased lung capacity you can gain from cardio will also help with your breathing throughout labour. The better the shape your body is in, the less pain and discomfort you’ll feel from a more intensive or extended labour.

Feel Fit and Beautiful

The hormones your body produces while you’re pregnant are already playing with your emotions, but gaining that extra baby weight can be very depressing for some women. The endorphins your body releases while you exercise can make you feel great and the look and feel of a healthy body will go the extra mile in boosting your self-esteem. Preventing too much weight gain during pregnancy will make it easier to get back to your original weight and will also reduce the severity of potential stretch marks.

Types of Exercise to Try

Water aerobics is an extra exercise routine for pregnant women because much of that new weight you aren’t used to is supported by the buoyancy of the water. If you prefer a drier routine, pre-natal yoga is perfect for expecting mothers because it focuses on strengthening the muscles you’ll need most during your pregnancy and delivery. Practicing kegel exercises will also be very helpful once your labour starts.

If you already have a fitness routine you’ve been sticking to you should be able to continue on with it through your first trimester. However, the further along you get, the easier you should take it. For avid joggers, slowing your workout to a brisk walk will reduce unwanted bouncing in your abdominal section. For any pregnant women just starting out a new routine, it’s very important to start slow and possibly even consult your doctor before beginning a new activity.

Gaining excessive weight during your pregnancy is unnecessary and can be avoided by staying active and eating healthy. Joining pre-natal fitness classes can also be an excellent opportunity to meet other expecting mothers and hear their tips and exercise advice. It’s important not to overdo your workout routine, but staying in shape is good for you as well as your baby.

Changes will occur throughout your entire body when you become pregnant, but among the most noticeable and visible are the changes that occur on your skin. These changes arise from the increase in your hormone levels and often the changes you notice will be harmless. Most often all of these changes disappear or clear up once you give birth, but it’s always a good idea to check with your doctor regarding anything you’re unsure of.

Skin Discolorations

Your skin can become pigmented or discoloured in a few areas of your body and while it may look alarming, it is just a reaction to your increased hormones. Existing moles can become darker, as can your nipples and genitals. Patches of brownish skin, called melasma, may appear on your cheeks and forehead; this is also known as a pregnancy mask. Another area discolouration occurs is the line that runs down your abdomen from your belly button which is called linea nigra.

Rashes and Itching

As your skin stretches and higher levels of hormones course through your body, your skin may become more sensitive and prone to irritation. The perfumes, soaps, and detergents you normally use may now irritate your skin forcing you to switch to gentler brands. Allergies and bug bites may be more severe or could present themselves differently on your skin. You may experience some itching or even develop minor rashes, and while this is normal, you should see your doctor if symptoms worsen or persist.

Existing skin condition such as eczema could worsen so doing what you can to keep your skin healthy and clean should reduce some of these effects. Using products for sensitive skin and keeping skin dry with talcum powder may prevent some irritation. Try to keep cool and wear breathable cotton clothes and you may be able to relieve some of the discomfort you experience.

Stretch Marks

Reddish or pinkish lines may develop on your abdomen, hips, thighs, breasts, and buttocks. This is normal but the effects can be reduced if attended to in time. They occur due to rapid weight gain, so paying attention to how quickly you’re putting on your baby weight and limiting unnecessary weight gain could reduce the severity of your stretch marks. Applying lotions which contain vitamin E and alpha-hydroxy acid can also heal your skin and reduce the appearance of these marks.

Other Changes You May Notice

Existing skin conditions, such as acne, may become more noticeable. Since your hormone levels have increased, your skin could be producing more oils which may affect the appearance of your skin. This, along with some water retention, is what causes the “glowing” effect that pregnant women can have.

Varicose veins can occur but may be prevented if you avoid standing too long or taking a walk every now and then to get your blood circulating. Sitting with your feet propped up for an hour or so each day can take the strain off them and will keep your blood flowing freely.

While not everyone experiences all of these changes in their skin, being prepared for them could put your mind at ease if you do notice anything different on your body. Do not hesitate to ask your doctor about anything you’re concerned about and keep in mind that most of these discomforts will disappear once your baby comes.