When To Expect Stretch Marks During Pregnancy?

When To Expect Stretch Marks During Pregnancy
The Bottom Line – More than half of all pregnant people experience stretch marks, a natural result of your skin stretching to make way for a developing baby and uterus. But stretch marks are out of your control, as hormones, genetics, and even skin type can impact whether or not you get them and influence their overall appearance.

There’s no surefire prevention strategy or cure for stretch marks during or after pregnancy. However, you can take a few precautions and opt for certain treatments to reduce your risk and improve the appearance of stretch marks postpartum. For example, during your pregnancy, try to keep your skin moisturized, stay hydrated, and maintain a healthy diet.

And if you want to address stretch marks after pregnancy, talk to your healthcare provider about potential remedies, such as retinoid creams, laser therapy, or dermatological treatments. Try to enjoy your pregnancy journey as much as possible, keeping in mind that normal symptoms such as stretch marks—and even those minor but annoying aches and pains —are a sign that you’re creating a little miracle inside your body.
View complete answer

Contents

When do stretch marks usually appear in pregnancy?

What trimester do pregnant women develop stretch marks? – You’ll most likely start to notice stretch marks on your stomach (and elsewhere) around the end of the into the beginning of the third trimester, when you’re between 6 and 7 months pregnant. That said, they do sometimes appear sooner.
View complete answer

Where do pregnancy stretch marks usually start?

Pregnancy stretch marks – When To Expect Stretch Marks During Pregnancy Stretch marks on white skin When To Expect Stretch Marks During Pregnancy Stretch marks on light brown skin Stretch marks are narrow, streak-like lines that can develop on the surface of the skin. They can be pink, red, purple or brown, depending on your skin colour. They are common in pregnancy, affecting around 8 out of 10 pregnant women.

  • They usually appear on your tummy, or sometimes on your upper thighs and breasts, as your pregnancy progresses and your bump starts to grow.
  • When stretch marks appear will be different from woman to woman.
  • The first sign you notice might be itchiness around an area where the skin is becoming thinner.
  • Stretch marks are not harmful.

They do not cause medical problems and there is no specific treatment for them. After your baby is born, the marks may gradually fade into paler scars and become less noticeable. They probably will not go away completely.
View complete answer

How long do pregnancy stretch marks last?

Do stretch marks ever go away? – The good news is that stretch marks usually become considerably less noticeable about six to 12 months after childbirth. The pigmentation fades and they generally become lighter than the surrounding skin (the color will vary depending on your skin color), but their texture will remain the same.
View complete answer

When should I start using belly cream during pregnancy?

– You can start using stretch mark creams early on in your pregnancy. You don’t have to wait until you start noticing marks. Many creams work as a preventive measure, so it can be helpful to begin using one as soon as you find out you’re pregnant. You can use the cream throughout each trimester and even after you give birth.

  • Davis recommends using the cream every day after you take a bath or shower.
  • Postpartum, retinoids can help with treating stretch marks.
  • They help to restore the skin’s collagen,” says Davis.
  • But it may be best to avoid retinoids while you’re pregnant.
  • They’re most likely safe while nursing — with topical application only — but that research is limited.
You might be interested:  What Is Breech Position Of Baby During Pregnancy?

Oral use of retinoid-containing treatments isn’t recommended during lactation. Davis also recommends in-office stretch mark treatments such as microneedling or laser treatments,
View complete answer

What do early stretch marks look like?

When stretch marks first appear, they tend to be red, purple, pink, reddish-brown, or dark brown, depending on your skin color. Early stretch marks may feel slightly raised and can be itchy. In time, the color fades and the narrow bands sink beneath your skin.
View complete answer

When should I start using belly oil?

When should I start using belly oil? – Every pregnancy is different, but it can’t hurt to start using belly oil during your first trimester. The skin can become dry and painful, and you’ll have a changing body before you know it. Like with the skin on your face, keeping the pregnant belly skin moisturized from the beginning has positive effects.
View complete answer

Do stretch marks from childbirth go away?

– Well, this is the bad news: Like any scar, stretch marks are permanent. You’ll never be able to get rid of them completely. We know this might be disappointing. It can be a hard thing to accept that your body has changed forever, even if the change occurred due to something as amazing as childbirth.
View complete answer

How much weight should I gain while pregnant?

Most women should gain somewhere between 25 and 35 pounds (11.5 to 16 kilograms) during pregnancy. Most will gain 2 to 4 pounds (1 to 2 kilograms) during the first trimester, and then 1 pound (0.5 kilogram) a week for the rest of the pregnancy. The amount of weight gain depends on your situation.

Overweight women need to gain less (15 to 25 pounds or 7 to 11 kilograms or less, depending on their pre-pregnancy weight).Underweight women will need to gain more (28 to 40 pounds or 13 to 18 kilograms).You should gain more weight if you are having more than 1 baby. Women having twins need to gain 37 to 54 pounds (16.5 to 24.5 kilograms).

A balanced, nutrient-rich diet, along with exercise, is the basis for a healthy pregnancy. For most pregnant women, the right amount of calories is:

1,800 calories per day in the 1st trimester2,200 calories per day in the 2nd trimester2,400 calories per day in the 3rd trimester

Much of the weight that you gain during pregnancy is not fat, but is related to the baby. Here is a breakdown of how 35 pounds (16 kilograms) adds up:

Baby: 8 pounds (3.5 kilograms)Placenta: 2 to 3 pounds (1 to 1.5 kilograms)Amniotic fluid: 2 to 3 pounds (1 to 1.5 kilograms)Breast tissue: 2 to 3 pounds (1 to 1.5 kilograms)Blood supply: 4 pounds (2 kilograms)Fat stores: 5 to 9 pounds (2.5 to 4 kilograms)Uterus growth: 2 to 5 pounds (1 to 2.5 kilograms)

Some women are already overweight when they get pregnant. Other women gain weight too quickly during their pregnancy. Either way, a pregnant woman should not go on a diet or try to lose weight during pregnancy. It is better to focus on eating the right foods and staying active.

If you do not gain enough weight during pregnancy, you and your baby may have problems. Still, you can make changes in your diet to get the nutrients you need without gaining too much weight. Talk to your health care provider to get help with planning a healthy diet. Below are some healthy eating tips to help you get started.

You might be interested:  What Drinks Are Safe During Pregnancy?

Healthy choices:

Fresh fruits and vegetables make good snacks. They are full of vitamins and low in calories and fat.Eat breads, crackers, and cereals made with whole grains.Choose reduced-fat dairy products. You need at least 4 servings of milk products every day. However, using skim, 1%, or 2% milk will greatly reduce the amount of calories and fat you eat. Also choose low-fat or fat-free cheese or yogurt.

Foods to avoid:

Naturally sweetened is better than foods and drinks with added sugar or artificial sweeteners.Food and drinks that list sugar or corn syrup as one of the first ingredients are not good choices.Many sweetened drinks are high in calories. Read the label and watch out for drinks that are high in sugar. Substitute water for sodas and fruit drinks.Avoid junk-food snacks, such as chips, candy, cake, cookies, and ice cream. The best way to keep from eating junk food or other unhealthy snacks is to not have these foods in your house.Go light on fats. Fats include cooking oils, margarine, butter, gravy, sauces, mayonnaise, regular salad dressings, lard, sour cream, and cream cheese. Try the lower-fat versions of these foods.

Eating out:

Knowing the amount of calories, fat, and salt in your food can help you eat healthier.Most restaurants have menus and nutrition facts on their websites. Use these to plan ahead.In general, eat at places that offer salads, soups, and vegetables.Avoid fast food.

Cooking at home:

Prepare meals using low-fat cooking methods.Avoid fried foods. Frying foods in oil or butter will increase the calories and fat of the meal.Baking, broiling, grilling, and boiling are healthier, lower-fat methods of cooking.

Exercise:

Moderate exercise, as recommended by your provider, can help burn extra calories.Walking and swimming are generally safe, effective exercises for pregnant women.Be sure to talk to your provider before starting an exercise program.

If you have struggled with your weight in the past, it may be hard to accept that it is OK to gain weight now. It is normal to feel anxious as the numbers on the scale edge up. Keep in mind that you need to gain weight for a healthy pregnancy. The extra pounds will come off after you have had your baby.

However, if you gain a lot more weight than is recommended, your baby will also be bigger. That can sometimes lead to problems with delivery. A healthy diet and regular exercise are your best ways to ensure a healthy pregnancy and baby. Prenatal care – managing your weight Berger DS, West EH. Nutrition during pregnancy.

In: Landon MB, Galan HL, Jauniaux ERM, et al, eds. Gabbe’s Obstetrics: Normal and Problem Pregnancies,8th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 6. Bodnar LM, Himes KP. Maternal nutrition. In: Resnik R, Lockwood CJ, Moore TR, Greene MF, Copel JA, Silver RM, eds.

Creasy and Resnik’s Maternal-Fetal Medicine: Principles and Practice,8th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2019:chap 12. Updated by: John D. Jacobson, MD, Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Loma Linda University School of Medicine, Loma Linda Center for Fertility, Loma Linda, CA. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M.

Editorial team.
View complete answer

You might be interested:  After Ectopic Pregnancy Surgery When To Try To Conceive?

How do I avoid extra skin on my stomach during pregnancy?

Stay Hydrated – When it comes to keeping your skin firm and elastic, water is key. Staying well hydrated is very importanting for helping reduce loose skin, so be sure to drink at least two litres every day – and even more when you exercise. You can also hydrate your skin more directly by using lotions and moisturisers.
View complete answer

How can I make my baby skin beautiful during pregnancy?

How to support the development of your baby’s skin, hair, and nails – Eating well for pregnancy and taking prenatal vitamins help support the growth and development of your baby’s skin. Vitamin D in particular is essential for healthy skin. Pregnant women can drink milk fortified with vitamin D and eat fatty fish like salmon once a week.
View complete answer

How do you know if you are developing stretch marks?

Symptoms – Stretch marks don’t all look alike. They vary depending on how long you’ve had them, what caused them, where they are on your body and the type of skin you have. Common variations include:

  • Indented streaks or lines on the abdomen, breasts, hips, buttocks or other places on the body
  • Pink, red, black, blue or purple streaks
  • Bright streaks that fade to a lighter color
  • Streaks covering large areas of the body

View complete answer

How do you tell if stretch marks are from losing or gaining weight?

Stretch Marks After Weight Loss – The stretch marks from weight loss typically appear in the region where you lost fat. For example, your thighs, arms, shoulders, and buttocks are the common sites for weight loss induced stretch marks. To be more precise, excess leftover skin after rapid weight loss is often the primary cause of stretch marks.

  • However, your skin stretches when you gain weight, but those marks are usually not visible at this stage.
  • You start seeing those hidden stretch marks only after you shed some pounds.
  • Pregnant women undergo dramatic body transformations to return to their pre- weight in a short time.
  • Unfortunately, the residual lax skin often remains after intense fluctuations in weight.

As a result, it increases the risk of inevitable scarring or stretch marks. While 90% of women experience stretch marks after post-pregnancy weight loss, the remaining 10% seem to dodge such a common occurrence due to hereditary factors.
View complete answer

What to expect at 27 weeks of pregnancy?

27 Weeks Pregnant: Your Baby’s Development – You’ve made it to the last week of your second trimester ! Your baby is working on her kicks and stretches, and she’s starting to make grasping motions. She’s also starting to smile, especially when she’s sleeping.

And there’s more: After being fused shut for more than four months, your baby’s eyelids can open again. Your little one can see the lights and shadows around her. Your baby may be starting to recognize familiar voices around about now, most notably yours. At the sound of your voice, her heart rate may slow down, meaning she’s calm and relaxed.

Your baby’s tiny lungs and liver and her immune system still have a way to go before they’re completely developed, but she’s steadily gaining weight and fat. At this point, your baby looks like the fully formed infant you’ll see at birth, only smaller.
View complete answer