How To Reduce Your Risk of Stretch Marks in Pregnancy

Unfortunately, stretch marks are so common in pregnant women that between 75 and 90 percent develop them during pregnancy. Despite these odds, there are still things you can do to prevent these angry red marks from disrupting your clear skin.
Try to maintain a steady weight gain. Eating a balanced and healthy diet will not only keep your weight gain within the recommended range of 25 to 35 pounds, but this good nutrition is also essential for your baby’s development and the health of your skin. Controlling your weight gain will also allow your skin to stretch at a steady rate.
Using a wash cloth or body brush, massage the areas where you’d like to prevent stretch marks from appearing, or where some have already appeared, improving circulation in those areas.
Hydrate yourself and take your vitamins. Drinking enough water and ensuring you’re getting all your vital nutrients are critical for your own health and that of your baby’s, plus they are necessary for healthy skin.
Moisturize, moisturize! Make sure to keep your skin moisturized from the beginning of your pregnancy until you’ve lost the pregnancy weight. You can use an oil or cream geared to prevent pre-natal stretch marks, which help retain the elasticity in your skin. Using vitamin supplements, these creams help enhance the production of collagen, retaining the skin as it becomes thoroughly stretched.
Also, keep in mind that genetics do come into play on whether you’re predisposed to stretch marks or not. If your mother had them in pregnancy, you’re more likely to get them as well. But don’t give up; following the guidelines above can help.
And don’t forget to keep up these habits during your postpartum period too. Shedding all your pregnancy weight during this time can cause stretch marks as well, and you wouldn’t want to get through the whole pregnancy stretch mark-free only to have them appear once you’ve recovered!