Stretch Marks during Pregnancy

Health advice

Don’t forget to read Tattoos and Pregnancy.

Definition and explanation why:

vergeture immature

Stretch marks, which are medically known as striae gravidarum, occur in about 63% of pregnant women. They are bands of skin that appear stretched, often red or purple (striae rubra), which mainly affect the abdomen, breasts, buttocks and thighs. Stretch marks usually appear during the sixth or seventh month of pregnancy, and sometimes earlier. They will become white (striae alba) over time.

Many factors can cause stretch marks, including hormonal changes, genetic predisposition, and the physical stretching of the skin.

The literature highlights risk factors: the mother’s young age, family history, pre-pregnancy and pre-childbirth weight, and the baby’s weight at birth.

vergeture mature

The central hypothesis is that the hormonal environment during pregnancy makes the skin more susceptible to being overly stretched. This stretching breaks down the structure of the skin’s tissue, the skin’s collagen due to the stretching effect, and leads to the appearance of stretching, so that’s why we call them stretch marks.

Since the hormonal and genetic aspect is very present, it is scientifically challenging to prevent stretch marks, because we can’t control heredity and physiological changes during pregnancy.

Recommendations for stretch marks during pregnancy

  • During a healthy pregnancy, I suggest that women continue to be physically active and gain a healthy weight set by the doctor monitoring their pregnancy.
  • There is little evidence concerning stretch mark prevention. Some studies have shown that daily massages with creams containing Centella Asiatica (trofolastin cream) can have a slight beneficial effect.
  • Hydrating your skin daily can’t hurt, but there is no scientific evidence about the results. Even “anti-stretch mark” creams can’t perform miracles. You are born with the skin you have!

Recommendations for stretch marks after childbirth:

emilie bourgeault dermatologue

  • To reduce redness, vascular laser procedures can be tried. But over time, the stretch mark will become white if not treated.
  • Retinoid-based creams, if used daily on the abdomen or elsewhere for 3-7 months, may show an improvement of about 20% according to some studies.
  • There are very few treatments available. Laser treatments done by professionals have shown improvements of 50-70% according to some studies, but they are expensive.

As you can see, many skin changes occur during pregnancy. I hope that this helps you understand that you have little control over it, and I hope that you will accept it over time. The recommendations made by the dermatologist is this article will help you lessen the effects.

Talk soon, and thanks to Émilie for her help!

Marie
The Baby Expert

Source des photos : National Center for Biotechnology

Discover our videos

Subscribe to a monthly or quarterly package now to access full videos.

Preparing your Stay in the Hospital

Preparing your Stay in the Hospital

Who will go with you to the hospital? What papers do you need to fill in before admission? What is
Osteopathy During Pregnancy

Osteopathy During Pregnancy

Osteopathy can help soothe pregnancy ailments. This alternative practice can help safely reduce discomfort for mother and baby. Marie, along
Aqua-Form and Pregnancy

Aqua-Form and Pregnancy

Do you like water and being active with other pregnant women? Have you thought about aquafit classes? Discover the benefits
Natural Childbirth in a Hospital

Natural Childbirth in a Hospital

Come will Marie and see the birth of Chantal and Joel’s second child, Léa. The couple chose to give birth

Discover other articles

How can I prevent my baby from getting an infection?

How can I prevent my baby from getting an infection?

My son just started daycare 2 days a week, as he is already 9 months old. This morning when I took him there, I heard
Alcohol and Breastfeeding

Alcohol and Breastfeeding

Make sure you read the part about Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD). If you’re a mother who would like a glass of wine or beer
A Mother’s Needs During Labour and Delivery

A Mother’s Needs During Labour and Delivery

Hello Parents, Each person has different needs when giving birth to a baby. However, during my work in the maternity ward, I noted three needs
My baby was born ahead of time!

My baby was born ahead of time!

I became a mother three weeks ago, and my baby was born ahead of time, at 31 weeks. Her name is Mélina. The doctors told

Stretch Marks during Pregnancy

Par Marie Fortier Temps de lecture: 2 min
0