Can you prevent stretch marks in pregnancy?

Anna Martin

Stretch marks; they’re just part and parcel of growing a tiny human

Though it may be tough to make peace with them on top of all the other changes your body goes through, they’re extremely common, up to 90% of women experience them during pregnancy.

Yet you may have questions about what they are, what causes them and prevention if that interests you.

What are they?

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 usually appear on your tummy, or sometimes on your upper thighs and breasts, as your pregnancy progresses and your bump starts to grow.

There’s no exact science as to when stretch marks appear, it will be different from woman to woman.

The first sign you notice might be itchiness around an area where the skin is becoming thinner.

What causes stretch marks?

According to the American Academy of Dermatology Association, stretch marks are scars that develop when the skin stretches or shrinks rapidly, which happens as your baby grows.

This quick change results in small ruptures to the collagen and elastin within the skin, and the scars that form as the skin heals are stretch marks.

Whether or not you develop these tiger-stripe-like marks depends largely on the elasticity of your skin which can be affected by genetics.

So for example, if your mother developed stretch marks you’re more likely to get them yourself.

Hormonal changes also have a part to play as the increased levels during pregnancy relax the bonds between collagen fibres within the skin, making it easier for it to tear when stretched.

How can I prevent them?

Honestly, when expecting you don’t have to worry about these marks, you’re growing a whole human!

Yet if it’s something that’s playing on your mind, there are things you can do to prevent them but nothing is a surefire way to stop them.

Keep your skin moisturised: There are plenty of stretch mark creams on the market which claim to reduce the appearance of pregnancy stretch marks. While there’s no guarantee that these will work, moisturising is a great way to protect your skin’s elasticity.
Drink water: Drinking water during pregnancy is important for several reasons. Not only does it help baby’s development, but it also helps keep your skin healthy, which in turn may help with the appearance of stretch marks.
Your diet: Eating a whole-food diet that includes plenty of vitamin C, vitamin D, zinc, collagen and vitamin E may help with your skin’s ability to stretch and make room for your little one.