Stretch Marks After Delivery
June 26, 2009
Most women are conscious of marks left on their bodies after their delivery. As it is, they have to reconcile to losing so much weight, which they have put on during a pregnancy. This is not always possible, right after because if the woman has had a caesarean section she cannot get right into a rigid exercise schedule.
Besides, if she is nursing the newborn she has to eat reasonably well to ensure lactation occurs. Stretch marks are quite ugly, added to it the flab after the birth of the baby.
There are quite a few mistaken notions about stretch marks. Stretch marks are not preventable. What may happen in the last trimester of a pregnancy are the layers of skin just underneath, face pulling and stretching forces, this is unavoidable. There may be 10% of women, who do not get these stretch marks. But if your mother and maternal grandmother had them, there is a high possibility that you too would get stretch marks, since this is genetic. The severity of it is also dependant on genetics.
Another myth is that if your stomach does not become too big then stretch marks will not appear. Any doctor will advise his patient to eat healthy when expecting. The body needs many nutrients, which are passed on to the fetus, and so women who are expecting cannot afford to diet. It would be hazardous to cut eating. In fact, the doctor does regular checks on weight gain and will advise you accordingly.
Stretch marks do not last forever. Initially they may appear as reddish purple scars. But they soon fade to a brown and then to a light grey depending on your complexion. These scars are probably visible on the areas that directly increase in size which are your stomach, bottom, and breasts. Do not get agitated and try eliminating these scars, till time enough has elapsed and it cures itself.
Creams and lotions do not help to eliminate scars. Some ingredients in these will help to minimize the itchiness and skin irritation. But will never remove them completely. The only thing possible is to try something just as they appear, before full term. But this carries a risk and you should consult your gynecologist and dermatologist before resorting to any treatments, because there are undesirable side effects.
Tanning will help is another myth. Sometimes the doctor can administer UVB rays, which will help in scar removal. But this is not a permanent solution. Self- Tanners and concealers are the best to help conceal the scars.
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