Three Easy and Inexpensive Ways to Avoid Stretch Marks from Pregnancy

Don’t let pregnancy stretch marks cast a cloud over the joy of having a child. Being pregnant is a miracle experience. Our bodies are amazing. To think that we grow this beautiful life in our overly stretched bellies is awe inspiring. Did you ever think your skin could stretch that much? I’ve always been fascinated with skin care. Mostly because of vanity, however now that I’m older, my interest comes from wanting to stay healthy inside and out. rnDid you know that the human skin is the largest organ of the body? Yes, that’s right; your skin is an organ. Like the liver your skin is a filter and protection from the environment. Your skin eats drinks and breathes in anything that it is exposed to within seconds. Think about it this way, anything you put on your skin, you may as well put in your mouth. rnIn order to keep your skin healthy and pliable during pregnancy, feed your skin good nutrition and keep your skin moisturized. Below are easy tips for getting rid of stretch marks. rnDrink lots of waterrnYou should do this pregnant or not. Our bodies are made up mostly of water. Drinking enough water daily, helps internal organs function properly as well as your skin. Drinking half your weight in ounces should be right amount for you. Ex: weight 150lbs drink 75 oz water per day. rnAvoid moisturizers that contain petrolatum, mineral oil, alcohol or fragrance. rnPetrolatum or petroleum jelly and mineral oil are derivatives of crude oil. Yes, the stuff we use for gas in cars. I mean hello, don’t we call petroleum, gas. The British call their gas; petroleum or petrol. Alcohol dries out the skin and destroys the skin’s natural acid mantle layer which is the first defense against the environment. Fragrance is known to have carcinogenic chemicals that disrupt hormone behavior. A woman’s hormones are important, especially during pregnancy. And don’t put products on your baby that contain these ingredients. Baby oil is mineral oil and fragrance (crude oil derivative and carcinogenic chemicals). rnUse a natural moisturizer as a stretch mark lotion. I’ve delivered 3 babies and have absolutely no pregnancy stretch marks. Do you remember when using mineral oil after a shower became popular as a moisturizing technique? Well, simply use natural oil such extra virgin olive oil or coconut oil. You apply natural oil to your wet skin after the shower and dry off. Both of these oils are natural and feed your skin good nutrition. I used olive oil daily after my shower. Additionally, I applied olive oil on my belly and butt (during my pregnancies my butt got big) at least 2 times a day (sometimes more) to keep my skin moist, fed and pliable. And voila, no pregnancy stretch marks. rnYou may hear people say; well she probably has good skin from her genes. That’s what many of my friends say. But that is FALSE. Only 10% of your skin’s appearance and health comes from genetics. 90% of your skin’s appearance and health comes from what you put in your body, on your skin, and what you expose your skin to, with out protection. rnThere you have it; an easy, inexpensive, natural method of taking care of your skin. Start today; it’s never too late or early to take care of your amazing human body. May you have a healthy birth experience free of pregnancy stretch marks.