Stretchmarks in Pregnancy

Stretchmarks in pregnancy.

I have been asked how to avoid getting stretchmarks during pregnancy many times.

Unfortunately I'm sorry to say, if you are going to get them you will. Some lucky women have more elastic in their skin than others, meaning they won't get stretchmarks, but for most of us they are simply a fact of pregnancy. While they may be upsetting to see know that they can most defiently be minimised and fade once we are no longer pregnant. But before you go beating yourself up about them just know that that tiny human you are creating is totally worth every mummy stripe you may get on your body.

SO, while you can't prevent them as such you can try to minimize them/your chance of getting them by avoiding putting on weight too quickly, rubbing oil or cream rich in vitamin E over your abdomen, breasts, thighs and bum to keep it well hydrated.. The stimulation of this rubbing also encourages blood flow to the areas which in turn help assist with a possible prevention. Along with this eating a healthy diet and doing gentle exercise may also help.

During my pregnancy I have used a combination of different creams and oils.

• Palmers have a great stretch mark range which I have liked. I have used their Oil, tummy butter and stretchmarks cream. 

• I have also used coconut oil. (I use it to cook so have just rubbing some on my belly while there)

• Rose Hip oil is also a favorite however can be a bit more expensive so even adding a few drops into your cream you are using as a boost is a great idea.

Many people also highly recommend Bio Oil. I haven't used this during pregnancy as I find it too thick and I don't really like the oily feel on my skin when i put clothes on but it is a great one to.

Make sure you do this morning and night. Don't forget to include your hips, butt and thighs to. Don't just limit it to your tummy and breasts.

Remember there are many more important things you should be worrying about then stretch marks though. Like keeping yourself healthy for that tiny human inside you is depending on you to keep his/her house a healthy one.

SJ x

My First 12 Weeks of Pregnancy

My first 12 weeks of pregnancy...wow how slow it felt! My husband and I found out right on the day my period was late. We had been counting down what felt like the slowest 2 weeks of our lives since ovulation date to see if this final chance we had for the next 6 months was finally going work. IT DID!

 

It wasn’t as easy for us as it seemed to be for everyone around. We tried for many months and each fail was another tug on the old heart strings. Then came the news of close friends all falling pregnant. It seemed like every month someone would announce their happy news, while we got the news of another fail. This brought up very mixed emotions. Obviously happiness for them as it’s what we all want after all, but also grief as I began to feel like there was obviously something wrong with me that it wasn’t working yet others pretty much had to sit on a toilet seat and BAM positive test. It started to really get to me, I didn’t want to talk to people or see people I just put walls up. I had been told after a Laparoscopy operation for Endometriosis I had when I was 22 that if I didn’t have children within 2-3 years I could find problems arise. I always just thought “no way I’m still young I’ll be fine.” I was in the end, just needed a little bit of help.

With our last chance to try looming before my husband was to leave for Sydney for nearly 6 months we decided rather than just keep doing the normal thing that’s obviously not working we would try something else.

That’s where Dann “magic hands” Stokes from TLC acupuncture comes in. Dann had already helped with a shoulder problem I had and made me aware of Reproductive acupuncture treatments mixed with Chinese herbs that was proven to be very successful. It was a great natural alternative to injecting myself with hormone boosters straight away. I had 4 treatments (this is a record) and took my herbs and used my cigar looking stick that probably made our neighbours think we smoked weed as it smelled similar. Sure enough it worked! Normally people need more treatments then this. I think changing alot of things helped to. I did yoga and read books and familiarised myself with foods that are recommend for both of us to eat to help. Was happy to try anything! I did my homework!

 

So came the day we found out! My husband Jason had left for Sydney by this time so while on the phone to eachother (we thought skype might be a bit too far lol) I took the test and it was POSITIVE! (I did another one the next day because I was still doubtful). With 2 positives I went to the Dr had my blood tests and a few days later got the news we had been waiting so many months for. WE WERE PREGNAT! (I’m getting teary writing this!) Due to my history and our conceiving issues my dr sent me off to have a scan to check everything was fine. My best friend in toe as Jason and my parents had decided to leave me (okaii so my parents were on a well deserved 5 week USA holiday) we went to the scan and right there in front of me was our little bambino. Was so hard to believe it was all real and I held in tears.

Then came the fun part of acting normal to everyone to try and keep it a secret until 12 weeks! I was very lucky I wasn’t that sick. I felt off and coffee was horrible to smell it make me feel yuck and I went off Veggies and just wanted carbs, carbs and more carbs. Overall though I like to think myself very lucky, I think I got out of morning sickness pretty well. It wasn’t fun I’m not in a rush to go through it again but despite going at it alone with no husband or mum nearby to help I did well. Going out with friends who were also pregnant and not being able to burst out and tell them the news we’d be wanting to share with the world for months was hard.

Then hormones kicked in, I felt very lonely and like I was living a double life at times. I had days that I would break down and resent the fact Jason was away. I was angry that all this excitement and we were in separate states. Just the typical life of an Army wife I would tell myself. Not that it made it any better. By the time 12 weeks came round (it felt like forever!!!) I had another scan! Wow how much bambino had grown in that small time! Bub was kicking its legs, rolling over and moving its arms right there on the screen in front of me. I did start crying at this time and wished Jason could have been there for the experience to. Excitingly enough I was off after that scan to pick Jason up from the airport to head to a wedding for the weekend. We told our close friends that night, and then announced it to everyone 2 days later. It felt so great to let it out and not feel like I had this secret anymore. I no longer felt sick and I felt like all my energy had come back. Was ready to take on the 2^nd Trimester!