One of my biggest fears throughout my twin pregnancy was that stretch marks were inevitable. Every source I consulted gave me an overwhelming "YES, YES, and YES you WILL get stretch marks," as an answer. I learned of horrors such as twin skin, which is a condition that leaves your stomach looking like a deflated balloon--loose, floppy, and covered in stretch marks. I was horrified. When I expressed this, I felt like people were labeling me as someone who was superficial.
When I spoke of stretch marks and twin skin phobia, people said things to me such as "It really won't matter, you will be so busy taking care of babies." My personal favorites was, "Well you are thirty-five and already married, you won't care." I also heard, "It doesn't really matter what it does to your body as long as the babies are born healthy!" Of course I wanted to have healthy babies--that was my biggest priority--but I still did not want to spend the rest of my life feeling like I needed to cover up.
The fact is you do not need to sit back and wait for twin skin or stretch marks to leave you with a stomach in ruination! There are things you can do to take action before that happens.
I do not have twin skin or any stretch marks. When my twin boys were delivered, I was carrying 11 pounds of baby, plus the additional weight in amniotic fluid, placenta, etc... I was stretched to beyond maximum capacity, yet my stomach escaped unscathed.
By working out, eating foods that help to support healthy skin, and staying hydrated, you can, if not completely avoid, at least minimize stretch marks and twin skin.
The fact is, in spite of what you have heard, it is NOT a foregone conclusion that you WILL get stretch marks and that there is NOTHING you can do about it. Before you run out and buy gallons of cocoa cream or miracle moisturizers (although helpful for moisturizing) beware that they will not prevent stretch marks.
First, it is important to understand what a stretch mark really is. Basically, it is scarring of the skin, which is caused due to tearing of the middle layer (the dermis). The dermis helps skin retain its shape. Stretch marks often begin in a shade of purple or an angry red, and over time, fade to silvery lines or areas on the skin that appear empty and are soft (kind of mushy) to the touch.
Stretch marks frequently appear when the skin undergoes a time of rapid stretching such as during pregnancy, puberty, significant weight gain due to obesity, and body-building. However, rapid growth is not the only factor. The hormone glucocorticoid (a class of steroid hormones), is also a factor.
Most women, as many as 90%, develop stretch marks during pregnancy. Doesn't sound like the odds are in your favor, so what, if anything, can be done?
Surprisingly, you may have more control than you think. The secret is not in any of the many miracle creams out there, but instead, can be controlled through diet, hydration, and staying fit.
Exercise has a direct affect on your ability to fight stretch marks in more than one way. Exercise and diet can help to maintain a healthy weight which helps keep rapid stretching in check but more importantly, exercise controls the level of glucocorticoids. The glucocorticoids impair the production of collagen in the skin, which leads to a decrease in the skin's elasticity. Remember, ?stretch marks form in the areas where your skin's elasticity breaks down. Stretch marks do not appear as long as there is support from the dermis. When the support breaks down, you are left with unsightly striations, or what we know as stretch marks.
For more facts on pregnancy and pregnancy with multiples, visit www.twinpregnancyinfo.com. The Mother's Resource for a Healthy and Informed Pregnancy
Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/pregnancy-articles/pregnant-remain-stretch-mark-free-869736.html
About the Author:Kelliann has writing expertise in the areas of health, fitness, and nutrition. Kelliann also has intimate knowledge of high-risk pregnancy, twin and multiple birth, and maternal health.
She is founder and editor of both TwinPregnancy.info and FitWithTwins.com, where expectant and new mothers find the latest information on pregnancy with multiples and post-pregnancy fitness.
For further information please contact Kelliann at ThePen@kelliannbateman.com
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