Natural ways to reduce stretch marks from pregnancy

Natural ways to reduce stretch marks from pregnancy

We have all seen them, those big red streaky lines that indicate our tummies have grown way too fast for the skin to keep up with. Some women wear them with pride but others just want their bodies to look and feel like it once did pre-bub.

So, let’s explore the things you could do prior to and during pregnancy to avoid and reduce stretch marks. 

Foods

Foods to include would be egg yolks, liver, nuts, seeds like sunflower, pumpkin, sesame and linseeds, olive oil, coconut oil, whole grains, avocado, green leafy vegies, and oily fish like sardines and salmon.

This is because they contain essential fatty acids which help with the health of our skin and vitamins that are good for skin health such as B2, zinc, and Vitamin A and E.

Brightly coloured fruit and vegetables are rich in phtyochemicals that help with skin integrity. Foods that are rich in silica like kale and spinach are great, or that contain cryptoxanthin like oranges and peaches, or those that have lutein like broccoli or blackcurrants, and lycopene like tomato and apricot.

Supplements

Supplements worth considering are fish oils, Vitamin E and Vitamin C.

The tissue salt Calc Fluor improves skin elasticity and is safe to take during pregnancy.

Oils

Oils that you can use on your skin include jojoba, macadamia, almond, hemp, and vitamin E. There are blends that are marketed towards pregnant women specifically for stretch marks, but just read the label and check it is organic or 100% pure before you use it, as your skin is your biggest organ, and will absorb everything you put on it, and it will get to bub!

Evening primrose oil can be used topically, but the research is conflicting for use of evening primrose supplements during pregnancy so avoid the supplements just to be sure.

Calendula cream will help if the stretch marks are really sore and tender.

Keeping your skin moist from the inside and out is the best preventative treatment we have to offer. So keep up your fluid intake by drinking a lot of water.

After pregnancy if you do have stretch marks, grapeseed oil will help with the healing and so will taking Gotu kola. Time does fade them, and they are a gentle reminder of the wondrous experience our body had to become mothers!

Enjoy those beautiful tummy rubs full of nice nourishing oils regardless of whether it is keeping stretch marks at bay!

More on the 28 Day Weight Loss Challenge

Want access to thousands and thousands of healthy recipes that will help you to lose weight after having a baby? Then be sure to check out our 28 Day Weight Loss Challenge.

Our 28 Day Weight Loss Challenge is a family-friendly, breastfeeding-safe program designed FOR MUMS to help them improve their health and lose the baby weight. 

Every week you are given a different meal plan to follow and each month we add NEW recipes to our Challenge Recipe Hub. That way, you’ll never get bored and stay on weight loss track while digging into healthy, yummy recipes. The challenge is also able to be used during pregnancy.

Learn more about our 28 Day Weight Loss Challenge HERE.

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