HOW TO PREVENT PREGNANCY STRETCH MARKS
I can’t start this off without saying that stretch marks are TOTALLY normal and a million percent OKAY! They do not make you any less worthy, less beautiful, less powerful…if anything, they show how incredible a woman’s body is.
But even knowing those things, so many of us still tell ourselves “if I can prevent pregnancy stretch marks…tell me how.” Before we jump into what I am doing that I found from another incredible mom, let’s talk about what stretch marks are and why they happen.
“Firstly, there is the physical stretch of the skin that occurs in pregnancy (and in other periods of rapid weight gain such as adolescence). As the body expands faster than the skin covering it, the skin tears. The resulting scar that forms from this tear is what we know as a stretch mark. The second factor, which is still a subject of debate among experts, involves the priming of the skin by increased levels of hormones in pregnancy. Together, these hormones attract more water into the skin, which relaxes the bonds between collagen fibers. This makes it easier for the skin to tear when it is stretched and for stretch marks to form.”
While many experts say there is just no preventing stretch marks and it all comes down to genetics, why not try some things out!
Major key - STAY HYDRATED! Your body needs water and it will help to have your skin full of moisture as it stretches! Also, Vitamin E is theorized to help prevent stretch marks because of its antioxidant and antiinflammatory properties so this belly butter has lots of Vitamin E in it!
Okay now let’s talk about the formula I have been using as a belly butter during my pregnancy since I was 6 weeks pregnant!
HOMEMADE BELLY BUTTER
Ingredients
1lb Shea Butter
1tbsp Jojoba Oil
2tbsp Vitamin E Oil (or more!)
Rose Hip Essential Oil
Lavender Essential Oil
How To Make It
Melt the 1lb of shea butter on the stove
Cool in the fridge for about 45min
Remove from the fridge and add in 1tbsp Jojoba Oil & 2tbsp (or more) of Vitamin E Oil
Mix with a Kitchen Aid or handheld mixer
Add in as much rose hip & lavender essential oil as you would like
Mix for about 10 minutes or until the color is a light cream color
Store in a glass container and use it every morning and night!
I have been OBSESSED with this stuff and my skin feels so soft and hydrated every day. I am praying it helps with the stretch marks but if not, at least my skin is soft and hydrated and healthy!
You can find all of the items I used for my belly butter by clicking the images below!
I would love to hear if you try this out and what you think so please leave a comment if you do!
Until next time,
MCK
