Stretch Mark Prevention
They say that you can't prevent stretch marks, and the odds are especially stacked against you if they run in the family or if you have stretch marks. Both are true for me, stretch marks run in my family and I've had stretch marks on my inner thighs and hips since I was 13. During my first pregnancy I thought it was inevitable that I'd develop them on my burgeoning belly too. I was a a little worried and despite what everyone said about "prevention" being a myth, I developed my own stretch mark prevention routine. And it worked! I made it through pregnancy #1 without stretch marks. I've been sticking to the same routine this time around too and so far so good, though there's no guarantee. 1. Plank Pose: My number one stretch mark prevention tool is the plank pose. I reasoned that if my abs were strong they would work to contain my growing uterus and there would be less stress and strain on the skin.(I'm not sure if this is actually scientifically proven, but it seemed common sense to me). As you progress in pregnancy, exercises that put you on your back are not recommended, so the plank pose is a perfect alternative to crunches. One or two 1 minutes holds every other day is a good goal to shoot for. I'm a firm believer that strong abs are the best stretch mark prevention!
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2. Creamy Petroleum Jelly: Before going to bed I liberally apply creamy petroleum jelly with vitamin E. When I say liberally I mean that my tank top is a little greasy when I wake up in the morning. I rub it in for a while trying to increase circulation to the skin with gentle massage and then leave a little to soak in overnight. There are many gels, creams and lotions out there, some of them quite expensive, but I've found that a $3 bottle of petroleum jelly is the most effective. Other lotions don't seem quite thick enough.
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3. Baby Oil with Vitamin E: I also have a bottle of Baby Oil in the shower and use that after each shower to moisturize the skin on my belly. It's just one more way to keep the skin moisturized, it also helps keep the skin from drying out and feeling itchy.
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One of the other recommendations to help prevent stretch marks is to avoid rapid weight gain. Eating a balanced, healthy diet and staying properly hydrated are some of the best ways to keep your weight gain even, and these also contribute to skin health.
There is no guarantee that any of these things will completely prevent stretch marks, but its a pretty good bet that if you stay active during pregnancy, eat a balanced diet, stay hydrated and take care of your skin you have a better chance of making it through pregnancy with your belly unscathed.
--Sarah
I am not a medical professional. The information presented in this post are my opinions and should not be taken as professional medical advice. Consult your doctor with questions you have regarding pregnancy weight gain and skin care.