on stretch marks

At days past 37 weeks, you can count me in the women who'd swear by cocoa butter lotion!

Unfortunately, I had so focused on my tummy alone that I had forgotten about other stretch mark prone areas like the thighs and buttocks. Which means, that I have more than just a few of my share on them. Although they hadn't multiplied to more when it had caught my attention since I also began applying liberal amount of cocoa butter lotion to them.

They are, however, still unsightly and are very dark marks! So, it is a comfort to know that they will start to lighten up as soon as Baby Joram's birth ends my pregnancy. I would continue to apply the lotion as it claims to reduce dark scars or marks.

Anyway, I remember years ago back when I was just a little girl ;) that my mother would really put time and extra budget on buying me the local version of the cocoa butter... a.k.a. "mantika de cacao". And it does work!

It is in a balm form, however, which would make it less easier to apply to a large area than does a lotion.

I'd like to thank my Mama who had so encourage me to purchase cocoa butter lotion. (even giving me allowance for it!)

And to my Mother-in-Law who had told me over and over again not to scratch my tummy as she herself doesn't have a single stretch mark even though her bump was larger than mine and though she'd had generalized edema as early as the 4th month of pregnancy.

tips to prevent stretch marks

More on preventing stretch marks and how to minimize them if they do appear.

And yes, I would try buying pure cocoa butter. ^^< It's called "mantika de cacao" in our own lingo and has been used since long before to reduce the appearance of scars. Although when I was young (until today at some point), I have never been the one that's so keen on applying anything.

still from the same page...

How to Prevent Pregnancy Stretch Marks

Tips

• Your moisturizer should be safe and all natural, for your health and your baby's. You can make your own pregnancy stretch mark cream with cocoa butter, olive oil, and vitamin E cream (just squeeze the contents into the other ingredients, mix and apply!).
• Consult a specialist; your OB/Gyn or a Dermatologist (skin specialist) may have some suggestions.
• Wheat germ oil may help.
• Avoid sun exposure and tanning booths. Also, it is unclear if the ingredients in sunscreen can harm your baby as it develops, so if you are going to be outside, use clothing as your sunscreen.
• Avoid allowing your skin to dry out. Cold weather and hot showers or baths will dry out your skin. You may need to moisturize your skin two or three times as often as you normally would during winter or if you take hot showers.
• Even if you are prone to getting stretch marks (you already have them, or women in your family have them), don't get discouraged. You may still be able to avoid getting them to some degree by taking care of your body and skin.
• Purchase pure cocoa butter from a health food store. Common brands found in regular retailers are not usually pure--check the label. The cocoa butter will be rather hard and solid, so grate some with a microplane or cheese grater, then heat it in a double boiler or a glass measuring cup in the microwave. Once the melted cocoa butter has cooled to just warm, gently smooth it over your belly. This is very soothing, smells wonderful, and helps Mom's belly feel better if nothing else!
• You can only minimize the appearance with the constant and regular use of creams and other applications. The marks will only fade but they are still there if you look closely or touch the skin. All those expensive creams, oils and ointments can do is improve the tone and appearance of your skin and make the stretch marks less noticeable.

Warnings

• Avoid using certain high tech stretch mark products while pregnant. You will find there are several well-known brands that say "not for use by pregnant or nursing women."
• Similarly, if you are using lotions or creams to prevent or minimize breast stretch marks, be careful when you're nursing. You don't want the baby ingesting the chemicals.

prevent pregnancy stretch marks

Here is the article with that video from the previous post. ^^, with my notes following the article.

How to Prevent Pregnancy Stretch Marks

Steps

1. 1
   Eat a very healthy diet to nourish your skin (and your baby) from the inside out. Take your prenatal vitamins and eat the right amount of calories from healthy foods which provide plenty of calcium, protein, whole grains, and vitamin rich fruits and vegetables.
2. 2
   Drink eight or more glasses of water and/or other fluids daily to hydrate your skin and maintain elasticity.
3. 3
   Follow guidelines for gradual weight gain, in the recommended amount. This should be about 25-35 pounds if you're a healthy weight, slightly more if you're underweight or expecting twins and slightly less if you're overweight. The faster you gain weight during pregnancy, the more likely it is you will get stretch marks.
4. 4
   Moisturize your breasts, belly, sides, lower back, thighs and anywhere else you think you might get stretch marks at least morning and night if you wish. Creams and lotions have not been medically proven to prevent stretch marks as they cannot penetrate to the deep skin layer where stretch marks occur, but they can help your skin to feel less dry and itchy. Cocoa butter, almond oil and shea butter are marvelous choices. Also wheatgerm oil. If you can find pure Lanolin, it works very well. If you notice itching where your skin is being stretched, that is a sign to add more moisturizer in that area. A good over the counter treatment for stretch marks is Zenmed's Stretta. It contains high grade glycolic acid and medicinal botanical extracts that help to erase the marks quickly without causing any irritation or itching.
5. 5
   Continue regimen after you deliver until you're back to your target weight -- rapid weight loss can also result in stretch marks!

For one, I've already gained around 14 kg which is around 30 lbs. What's been good is that I don't see stretch marks just yet ^^,

(About my weight gain, I had started 10% underweight so I have a range of up to 45lbs to gain and still be in the normal range of gain during pregnancy. Which is why I am serious right now about controlling my carbs especially my sweet tooth!)

What I have been doing so far that seems to be working...

I actually try to follow all those 4.

And I do reapply lotion when it seems to be itching some more. And yes, I have been checking the labels if they are safe to use during pregnancy.

Also, I have been drinking more than 8 glasses of water... but at the same time, I am checking my ankles and feet for edema (fluid retention) as well. (Just making sure that my liters of water doesn't backfire.)

To add, I have controlled every instinct or stop each reflex to scratch on my stretch mark prone areas. And since I couldn't very well say that I could prevent myself in my sleep, I dab in extra lotion before I sleep.

What others in my circle have said about preventing stretch marks....

Aside on not scratching...

A close friend very well said that she used petroleum jelly... that way, the gooey feeling would stop her from scratching or just make her fingers slide through. I haven't read anything that supports her advise though. And although it sounds sound but I think I'd much prefer using another friend's advise which is to keep your fingernails short and wear mittens during sleep when indeed itching to you is uncontrollable.

I have kept my finger nails short but I haven't gotten to wearing a pair of mittens yet.

But I am planning to buy one soon since my tummy is bound to super increase during the last two months of pregnancy.

stretch marks during pregnancy

My mother has stretch marks and I have one of my own prior to pregnancy at my back and buttocks. (probably due to frequent itching during puberty due to panties' or shorts' garters)

As you can see, I have more than 90% chance of getting them in my pregnancy... but I don't want to sit in a corner to wait for it. So, I need to do my research on preventing them.
Anyway, I came across this video...



What struck me most from this video is that of ACCEPTANCE.

Indeed, we can try to prevent it but when we're bound to get it then we would. And of course, our baby will be worth it!

Pregnancy: Skin Changes

^^, I am particularly curious about the Skin Changes during pregnancy and to whether they'll all disappear. Anyway, here's a post that I've read. Stretch Marks and Skin Changes in Pregnancy By Robin Elise Weiss, LCCE, About.com Guide So, you think your skin has changed since you've become pregnant? The answer is probably. The integumentary system goes through several alterations due to both hormonal and mechanical changes. Some of these may have been blown off as old wives tales, while others you may never have heard of before. Stretch Marks Striae gravidarum, or stretch marks are probably the most discussed of the skin changes during pregnancy. Nearly every woman fears them or thinks about them. They appear in 50 - 90 of all pregnant women, usually showing up in the later half of pregnancy. While the majority will be on the lower abdomen they can also be found on the thighs, hips, buttocks, breasts and arms of women. These are most commonly seen as small depressions in the skin. They tend to be pinkish in light skinned women, and in dark skinned women they will be lighter than the surrounding skin. They reflect the separation of collagen of the skin. While not painful the stretching of the skin may cause a tingling or itchy sensation. While many people will swear by certain creams or lotions, the truth is there's not much you can do about stretch marks, you'll either get them or not. There are some factors that you should know contribute to stretch marks: Family (If your mom or sister has them, guess what?) Weight Gain (Rapid or excessive will make these worse.) Nutritional Status (Well hydrated and healthy skin stretches better.) Ethnicity (African American women get them less.) So, what now? Well, eventually they do fade after you have the baby, becoming silver lines. While most women don't think about them much, or consider them badges of motherhood, others want them removed. There are new techniques and surgeries being explored all the time. Talk to your dermatologist or plastic surgeon if you are concerned. Mask of Pregnancy Melanotropin is secreted in greater quantity during pregnancy, this can cause a pigmentation to occur over the nose, cheeks, and forehead of an expectant mom. While it is not caused by sunlight, this will aggravate the situation. 45 - 70% of women will experience this beginning in the fourth or fifth month of pregnancy. This will fade after the birth. Most women use make up to cover this if it becomes a problem. This is also called chloasma. Linea Negra This is a darker line extending from the pubic bone to the top of the uterus (fundus), usually showing up for first time moms around the third month. Multiparous women (had more than one child) will often see it earlier. While not all women experience this line, don't believe the rumors that it means a boy baby is on the way. (See a linea negra photo.) Acne Thought it was gone for good? Think again, while many women actually find that the hormones of pregnancy relieve their acne and leave them with that "glowing" skin of pregnancy, many women find their skin more oily and susceptible to acne break outs. Here's where the high school remedies come into play... Actually ensure you are drinking plenty of water, wash your face, avoid things that cause you to break out. Basically do what works, but it doesn't have to be fancy. Spider Veins These can appear most commonly on the face, neck, chest, arms, and legs. They are caused from increased estrogen level in your body. They are often star shaped and slightly raised. They are slightly blue and do not turn white with pressure. 65 of the Caucasian women and 10 of the African American women will experience these, which do usually fade after the birth. Palmar Erythema A mottled or reddening of the palms of the hands. This is caused by increased estrogen levels during pregnancy. About 60% of Caucasian women will experience this, with about 35% of African American women too. Other Facts Some women will have accelerated nail growth. Others will notice a thinning of their nails. Excessive hair growth may occur in unwanted places, fine or coarse. (Hirsutism) Excessive sweating.