Stretch Marks Concerns During Pregnancy

The following is a sponsored post by Mother's Special Blend.

Your body will experience many incredible transformations during the nine months of pregnancy. Some changes, like stretch marks caused by weight gain, are synonymous with pregnancy. Gaining the right amount of weight during pregnancy is necessary and can help protect your health and the health of your baby. The most rapid weight gain occurs in the belly, breasts, hips and thighs. This can cause the elastic fibers just under the surface of the skin to stretch, resulting in stretch marks.

Preventing Stretch Marks Naturally

Fortunately, there is a way to help prevent stretch marks by toning and conditioning your belly during in the first trimester and during your pregnancy.

• Toning and conditioning your belly
• Eating healthy whole foods routinely
• Getting enough sleep
• Drinking plenty of water
• Exercising daily 
• Taking prenatal vitamins daily

Eating nutritious whole foods and daily exercise can help you put on weight slowly, giving you more time to tone and condition your skin as it expands, helping to prevent stretch marks caused by rapid weight gain. Exercising daily may seem difficult but you can stay active by taking a 30-minute walk (15 min each way), gentle stretching, doing prenatal yoga and sitting / bouncing gently on an exercise ball.

Staying hydrated by drinking water, teas and fresh juices keeps your skin soft and supple. Sleep is vital to regulating your appetite and metabolism. If you can’t get in 8 hours of sleep during the night, try taking 20 minute naps. They’re great for catching up on rest.

Include Vitamin C in Your Diet

Collagen plays a role in keeping your skin strong and elastic. It helps reduce the appearance of wrinkles, but it may also be important for preventing stretch marks. Vitamin C is an important nutrient for the development of collagen. Vitamin C can be found in many fruits and vegetables. Citrus fruits, such as oranges and lemons, are especially good sources of vitamin C.

The Importance of Vitamin D

There is a correlation between low levels of vitamin D and the incidence of stretch marks. More research is needed, but results suggest that maintaining healthy levels of vitamin D may reduce your risk of stretch marks. The easiest way to get vitamin D is through exposure to the sun. The vitamin supplement is also available. Always check with your health care professional regarding the dose and the source.

Vitamin E

Vitamin E keeps muscles healthy by enabling cell membrane repair. It is a nutrient important to vision, the health of your blood, brain and skin. It also has antioxidant properties.

Eat Foods Rich in Zinc

Zinc is an important nutrient for skin health. It is especially important during pregnancy because there is so much rapid cell growth.  It helps reduce inflammation and plays a role in the wound healing process if tears occur in the peritoneum during delivery. Including zinc-rich foods in your diet, such as nuts and fish, and supplements keeps your immune system strong and helps keep your skin healthy. Zinc also helps your baby’s brain develop. Check with your Health Care Provider for the daily dosage which is around 11-12 mg.

Folic Acid (Folate)

Folic acid plays an important role in the production of red blood cells and helps your baby’s neural tube develop into their brain and spinal cord. The best food sources are green vegetables and citrus fruits. This daily dosage also must be checked with your healthcare Provider.

The Importance of All Natural Products

Pregnancy can be an exciting time, but it can also be a confusing time, particularly when it comes to matters of skincare. Hormones can cause your usual skin balance to change and products that seem harmless may actually be the opposite. Though it’s less commonly known, some essential oils have potentially risky side effects. There are many stretch mark prevention products that contain chemicals and essential oils. These all should be should be researched.  Essential oils are very concentrated and can be absorbed by your body and can reach your baby. Also, keep in mind that what you put on your skin can potentially be absorbed and show up in breast milk. When used on a baby’s skin they should always be diluted with a carrier oil such as jojoba oil or sweet almond oil.

There is one product that is very popular because of its safety and the positive results it has provided to help prevent stretch marks. Mother’s Special Blend Skin Toning Oil is unique made from only 4 Whole Natural ingredients:

• Coconut oil,
• Sweet almond oil
• Cocoa butter
• Vitamin E

Coconut oil aids in easily passing through the outer layer of dead skin cells, which helps the oil penetrate into the deeper layers of skin and strengthen the underlying tissues. Sweet almond oil has emollient properties that prevent water loss of the skin while cocoa butter and vitamin E soften and condition it. There are no chemicals, perfumes, emulsifiers, dyes, or preservatives. Mother’s Special Blend is soothing for sore nipples. You do not have to wash it off in between nursing, just wipe it off with a clean cloth. Mother’s Special Blend is also safe for massaging your new baby.

When it comes to pregnancy skincare products always do your research first. Many do have chemicals. Test all products on the inside of your elbow and wait 24 hours to see if any irritation occurs. Test all products on your baby in the same place before using.

How to Use Mother’s Special Blend

It’s easy!  For best results begin using Mother’s Special Blend daily during your first trimester to tone and condition your skin and improve skin’s elasticity. Use it every day after you bathe or shower when your skin is warm and moist. Apply small amounts in round circular motions on your belly, breasts, buttocks, hips and thighs. The formula is very fast absorbing and leaves your skin hydrated, but never greasy, and does not come off on clothing or sheets. Continue to use it after the baby is born when your body is returning to its normal size.

Yes, You Can Help Prevent Stretch Marks! 

Generations of moms have used Mother’s Special Blend and have passed it down to friends and daughters. They love Mother’s Special Blend for the positive results and benefits it provides.  Be sure to check out our many testimonials.

Give yourself the support you need during this very special time. Learn as much as you can about the ways that your body is changing and how your baby is growing. Eat whole foods, drink lots of water, be active, exercise daily and take care of your body as it expands and contracts back to its normal size, tone and condition your belly to help prevent stretch marks. Enjoy this amazing experience!  It belongs to YOU!