Stretch lines. Stria gravid arum. Scars from pregnancy. Call them anyone which is more comfortable to you. But they are the one thing all women fear once they are pregnant.
But what exactly are stretch marks? And why do they appear?
Well, the reason lies in the anatomy of the skin. The skin has two layers - a thin upper layer called the epidermis and a thicker lower layer called the dermis. Scattered throughout the dermis are fine protein fibers called elastin, which can stretch like a piece of rubber band when pulled. But just as a rubber band can only stretch to that point and nothing more, these elastic fibers can only stretch to a certain extent. As they continue to stretch, they click. The growth of uterine mass during pregnancy causes excessive stretching of the skin and tearing of elastic fibers. Torn elastin creates scars on the skin called stria gravid arum, or stretch marks.
They appear on the lower abdomen of all pregnant women, don't they?
Well, right and wrong. They occur in most pregnant women, but not in all and not only in the lower abdomen. Stretch marks appear when the skin is stretched for a very short time, such as in pregnancy or obesity. They appear:
In the lower abdomen during pregnancy.
On the side of the breast or during pregnancy or obesity.
Thigh.
Sometimes even on the inside of the upper arm.
But can stretch marks be prevented?
Fortunately, to some extent, the answer is yes. Although some women are genetically predisposed to develop stretch marks, it has been found that athletes and women who are used to strenuous physical activity get very few or no stretch marks. This is regardless of whether their loved ones have stretch marks or not. The reason is because these women have very well-developed and strong abdominal muscles. These muscles can easily support the weight of the growing uterus and prevent it from pushing the skin forward - more like wearing a strong muscle belt under the skin. As a result, the skin is stretched less, less elastin fibers are damaged, and there are fewer stretch marks.
Again, supple, healthy and well-moisturized skin can stretch more without permanent damage. So, if a woman can strengthen her abdominal muscles and keep her skin healthy and supple, she is less likely to develop stretch marks.
But how? How can I build muscle and moisturize my skin?
Gentle exercises for the abdominal muscles can be started as soon as pregnancy is confirmed, or even with a planned pregnancy.
Exercise 1: Stand up straight, raise your hands above your head. Slowly lean forward to touch your toes. Hold the counting position at 100. Then slowly stand up. Do this at least once a day.
Exercise 2: Stand up straight, raise your hands above your head and cover your arms. Now slowly lean to the left as far as you can. Hold for a count to 10. Stand up slowly, then lean to the right. Hold until 10. Stand up. Exhale when you bend down and inhale when you stand up. It makes one sentence. Do at least 3 sets once a day.
Exercise 3: Stand straight with feet about 12 inches apart. Place your hands on your back at your waist. Slowly lean back as far as you are comfortable. Hold until 10. Stand up. Now slowly lean forward, holding the position for a count of 10. Then wake up. Exhale when you bend down and inhale when you stand up. It makes one sentence. Do at least 3 sets once a day.
These three exercises strengthen the abdominal and back muscles and slightly stretch the skin. They also improve posture during pregnancy.
Skin Care: Keep skin moisturized by liberally applying any oil — olive oil, coconut oil, almond oil, or another good baby oil — to the skin of your tummy, hips, and thighs. Massage in gentle upward strokes. You can do this before exercising so that the oil is well absorbed while stretching the skin during exercise. This keeps the skin elastic and healthy and allows it to stretch without damaging the elastic fibers.
A Good Diet: Eat a good diet with lots of fresh fruit and vegetables and plenty of fluids. And don't forget your daily taken vitamins. This ensures healthy and supple skin.
But what happens when stretch marks appear? How to get rid of them?
The good thing about stretch marks is that they fade over time. They are reddish or purple when they first form, but then become thin silvery streaks that may not be noticeable at first glance. The downside of stretch marks is that they can only be removed permanently through surgery. The growth of elastin and collagen can be partially stimulated by cocoa butter, vitamin E, wheat germ oil and lanolin. But to remove the scar completely, laser surgery, blue light therapy, and other surgical treatments are the only options. Many creams and lotions on the market also claim to remove stretch marks, but these have not been medically proven.
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