Help! StretchMarks Attack!

I just saw them this morning when I checked my belly for stretchmarks. I was kinda hoping that I'm one of those lucky women who don't get them. Clearly, I'm not because they are definitely showing already...those damn red and angry scratches. I already have them on my breasts, too. :-(

But, like what they say, having these marks are one of the dreaded side-effects of pregnancy and it's something that a woman should expect to have and accept willingly. But, is there really nothing we can do to avoid them?

According to some articles I've read, there are a few tips we can try for stretchmarks prevention and overall pregnancy health.

Eating for two is not true! Yes, we need the extra energy from food as baby grows, but these additional calories should come from a balanced diet of nutritious foods. This will ensure a gradual rate of weight gain during pregnancy as doctors and nutritionists advice, thus preventing sudden stretching of the skin and also for the overall health of both mom and baby. Drinking plenty of water and eating foods loaded with vitamins such as Vitamin E, Vitamin C, Zinc and essential fatty acids can give skin the health boost that it needs and keep it hydrated as well.

Studies show that massaging the skin regularly using a massage glove or moisturizer can aid in improving circulation. This in turn helps stimulate cell growth and renewal, and improves the skin's elasticity, which is the skin's ability to stretch as it grows. Exercise has the same effect too in boosting your body's circulation, energy-building, and preventing swollen ankles and varicose veins during pregnancy.

Prevention is better than cure, is what people always say. This may also be true in preventing stretchmarks, but we should not keep our hopes up because there is no evidence that stretch mark creams actually work. Nevertheless, everyone is free to try them. They say that the best way to use them is to start application immediately and to do it religiously.

Honestly, I wasn't able to practice these tips religiously. For one, I haven't used any special creams on my skin because the stores here don't have any of the brands mentioned above. Luckily, my sister in Manila promised to send me some Palmer's stretchmarks cream this Christmas. I hope it's not too late for me to use it. I might also write a review on them later on.

So, for those of you out there who are just starting out on your pregnancy, take heart and follow these tips for preventing stretchmarks. Who knows, they might work for you!