How To Prevent Stretch Marks During Pregnancy

For many women-especially those who favor bikinis-stretch marks are more to
be dreaded than flabby thighs. Nevertheless, 90% of all women will develop
pink or reddish, slightly indented, sometimes itchy streaks on their
abdomen, hips and/or breasts, sometime during pregnancy. Stretch marks, also
called striae distensae, occur most frequently on the abdomen, but some
women also get them on the breasts, buttocks or thighs.

Stretch marks usually occur in the dermis, or elastic mid-layer of the skin.
Repeated or sudden stretching of this layer causes a breakdown of the
tissue, leaving behind scar tissue. Stretch marks usually occur during mid-
to late pregnancy. As their name implies, Scar tissue that forms when the
normal elasticity of the skin can't keep up with the stretching required
during pregnancy is called stretch marks. Stretch marks are generally due to
a large and/or rapid increase in weight.

Mothers-to-be whose skin tone is good and elastic either because of heredity
or because they have maintained years of healthy nutrition and positive
exercise habits may go through one or more pregnancies without any
striations. Others, by keeping weight gain gradual, moderate and steady may
be able to minimize and possibly prevent stretch marks.

Other things to try

Be sure that your diet contains adequate sources of the nutrients needed for
healthy skin. Remember, stretch marks can result from nutritional
deficiency. Be sure to consume foods that promote skin health. Eat plenty of
zinc-rich foods such as fish and nuts. Foods like carrots, milk and citrus
fruits are high in vitamins C, D, and A. Choose 2-3 servings daily of
protein-rich foods such as eggs. Sufficient protein is essential.

Promoting the elasticity of your skin by nourishing it with good diet and
nutritional choices may help. Do you remember mother telling you to drink
lots of water? It's important for the health of your baby and can help keep
your skin supple and more unlikely to develop stretch marks. Caffeine will
increase your risk of developing stretch marks. If you must drink caffeine
drinks, tea or coffee, make sure your water intake matches or exceed your
caffeinated drink intake.

Understand that stretch marks are caused from within, and external
treatments can't remove or prevent them. Money spent on expensive or exotic
skin creams may make you feel like you're doing something, but it won't make
the stretch marks disappear.

No cream, lotion, or oil, no matter how expensive, will prevent or alleviate
stretch marks-although they may be fun for your partner to rub on the
affected areas and will prevent your skin from drying out.

Even though keeping your skin soft and supple won't prevent stretch marks,
it might help minimize them and it may help you feel better about yourself.
Some women find that cocoa butter helps keep the skin soft. A gentle massage
with oil or cream-on your own or with the help of your mate-may be
pleasurable and relaxing as well as an aid to soft, smooth skin.

If you do develop stretch marks during pregnancy, you can console yourself
with the knowledge that they will gradually fade to a silvery sheen some
months after delivery. Just look upon this marks not as a disfigurement but
the badge of honor for mothers..

After the pregnancy, when the stretch marks have faded, some women choose to
visit a cosmetic or laser surgeon who may select dermabrasion or chemical
peels to reduce the unsightly scars. Recent developments in laser techniques
have offered hope for those who choose to have the scars permanently
removed.

About The Author: Gen Mason is a loving mother of 2 beautiful children. To
learn about losing weight during and after pregnancy go to
http://www.pregnancy-without-pounds.com

Prenatal Massage

Pains and aches are part and parcel of every pregnancy.
Physical discomfort, muscular tensions, headaches, backaches, pains occur
due to increase in weight, shifting posture and hormone levels. Pre natal
massages aim to improve circulation, alleviate aches and pains, eases
muscular tensions and other pregnancy related symptoms, perking up expectant
mother's mood and mental attitude.

Stress related areas which demand attention are back, neck and shoulder.
Massaging the legs reduces blood pooling and full body massage to the
head/scalp, feet, hands and face area provides relief from tensions and
aches. All the areas should be massaged gently and pressure should be
applied when needed.

Experienced masseurs pick ways that are safe and effective and provide
special pampering and comfort. Prenatal massage offers encompasses a broad
range of benefits such as:

- Increases circulation
- Improves digestion
- Reduces fatigue
- Reduces swelling in hands and lower legs, fewer calf cramps
- Eases backaches, headaches, shoulder and neck aches caused due to muscular
tension and postures to accommodate the increasing weight.
- Lessens pain in the pelvic/hip area
- Alleviates stress on weight bearing joints such as knees, ankle and lower
back
- Promotes relaxation and deep breathing
- Reduces stress hormones
- Decreased insomnia
- Helps in maintaining proper posture

Prenatal massage during pregnancy is beneficial emotionally as it allows
soon to be moms to unwind, feel calm, healthy and comforted during the
period of physical and emotional stress.

Prenatal massage can be done in different ways. Expectant moms mostly lie on
their sides. A newly designed pillow especially for expecting mothers is
available. This pillow has deep center cutout enabling the moms to lie flat
on their bellies making them relaxed and comfortable. Lying flat on back
reduces circulation of blood to the mother and child; pillows are used to
keep the mother's body in elevated position. Body pillows are used for side
lying positions too.

After delivery, new moms are under all kind of emotional and physical
stress, especially sleep deprivation. Post partum massage is therapeutic,
helping the body to return to its normal state by adjusting to the physical
and emotional demands of their little one.

Massage is usually safe for most mothers, though it is advisable to check
with your doctor prior to getting one. If you have high BP or diabetes,
prenatal massage is not recommended. It is ideal that you tell your
therapist if you any problems or complications with your pregnancy. Duration
of the massage can be anywhere from 10 minutes to one hour. It depends on
how much discomfort you are experiencing and how much time you have on hand.
Massage once a week during 2nd trimester and twice a week or more during 3rd
trimester are ideal.

About The Author: Sharon Hopkins manages
http://www.masssagehealththerapy.com. Massage is a therapeutic treatment to
treat fatigue, stress, illness and injury for physical and emotional well
being. Pre natal massages for expectant moms rejuvenate the mind and body
and eliminate stress and other pregnancy related symptoms.

Determining Your Baby Shower Guest List

Pregnancy is always an exciting time. You are busy thinking about a thousand
things - what sex the baby will be, what name to choose, how to decorate the
nursery, etc. But, many of your friends probably have one thing at the top
of their priority list - your baby shower. Baby showers are a great time to
get together with friends and celebrate the upcoming birth and all the
excitement that goes with that.

When the appropriate time comes, you will probably be approached by at least
one friend about a baby shower. This may be your best friend from high
school or the girlfriend you ran around with while still single. You may
even be approached by relatives who want to throw a shower for you. Some
people have multiple baby showers - one thrown by family members, one thrown
by friends and one thrown by coworkers. No matter who throws the shower for
you, you will need to think about whom to put on the guest list. Chances
are, your aunt, best friend or coworker are not going to know everyone you
would like to invite, so she is going to need a little help from you.

First, you will need to decide if you think you are going to have more than
one shower. If you hear rumors of a family shower, you probably do not want
to invite family members to your "friends" shower. If you have coworkers
that are also close friends, you do not want to invite them to your
"friends"
shower only to find out you are having a work related shower as well. So
keep your ears open to try to find out as much as possible to avoid
duplicate invitations. You can even ask people you are close to if you feel
comfortable enough and explain to them why you are asking. It will not be
the worst thing if Aunt Silvia has to tell you to hold off on inviting your
best friend to the family shower "just because."

Be sure to ask the shower host how many people can attend the shower. It may
depend on where the shower is being held. Some people have their showers at
their church so there is plenty of room and seating, but many people have
them in their homes, so there may be a limited amount of space. You also do
not want to overload your shower host's budget. She may be thinking you will
invite fifteen people and you do not want to show up with a list of a
hundred people. Remember that the shower invitations, decorations, and
refreshments are going to cost your host money and you want to be respectful
of her generosity in offering to throw you a shower.

Once you have an idea of what type of baby showers you are going to have,
then you need to sit down and write out a list.
You may want to jot down names on a sheet of paper before you start looking
up addresses. You may even want to ask some other people whom you should
invite. With all you have going on, chances are you may forget someone, so
it will be useful to have another person helping you. You do not want to
hurt anyone's feelings by unintentionally leaving them off the guest list.

After you get your list set, you will need to start gathering addresses.
Actually giving your names and addresses to the host may best be done on the
computer if you are comfortable using it. Many people already keep names and
addresses in online address books, so giving your host your shower list may
be as simple as printing the address list and checking the names of those
you want to invite. If you do not have your addresses online, you can type
them into a spreadsheet to give to your shower host. An online copy of
addresses may come in handy depending on whether she is going to have
addresses printed on envelopes, print address labels for the envelopes, or
hand write the addresses on each envelope. No matter how she is going to do
it, having a nice, clear copy of all names and addresses will be beneficial.

Finally, if you forget someone important on your list and feel badly about
it, invite them out to a special one-on-one lunch with you. It will not be
the same as being at the shower, but can help mend hurt feelings from being
left out.

Have fun determining your baby shower list. Call a few of your closest
friends, grab your old address books and have a good time reminiscing as you
jot down names.

About The Author: Jennifer Barnett is a successful party planner providing
valuable tips and advice on planning a baby shower that is inexpensive, fun
for the guests with baby shower games, and choosing the perfect baby shower
gift.
http://www.about-baby-showers.com

How Effective Is Calcium And Weight Loss?

Do you want to stay fit and aiming for bone loss? If you are, you need to
follow a diet that will help you lose weight quickly but still prevent the
symptoms of osteoporosis. Calcium and weight loss is a good way to have a
diet.

Taking in the right amount of calcium will keep your bones healthy and
strong. Calcium and weight loss will also give you a healthy body at the
same time, have a low fat diet. Calcium has elements and properties that
have been proven to healthily lose weight successfully at the same time
reduce the fats in the body.

While some weight loss pills are over the counter, calcium and weight loss
is the best solution to lose weight. This will not give a bad effect to your
body. Instead, it strengthens your bones and reduces the risk of
osteoporosis which may happen during the aging period.

Calcium and weight loss is important because it is considered as a fat
burner. It burns fat naturally with the help of certain nutrients and
elements that are active inside the body.
Calcium is also known to be an active element in the breakdown of fats. Good
calcium intake will definitely be a good and healthy way to lose excessive
fats stored in the body.

Calcium and weight loss can clock the production of fat in the body in
adults and even for the children. This is also a good solution to teenagers
who are too conscious about their body and figure. However, some of the
teenagers are intimidated when it comes to dairy products. They think that
dairy products that can cause fattening.

Calcium and weight loss is proven to be a healthy way to lose weight but if
you are below the age of 18, you should consult your doctor first because it
may bring some effects which may not be good to the body. If you want to
start a calcium and weight loss plan, it is important to seek medical
advice.

If you are a pregnant mother, you should also talk to a doctor first before
you undergo calcium and weight loss procedures.
Now that you know the healthy way to stay fit, start practicing the taste of
dairy products so that you can start calcium and weight loss.

If you have tried all means such pills and exercise programs, calcium and
weight loss might be the solution to your problems.

About The Author: This content is provided by Low Jeremy. It may be used
only in its entirety with all links included. For more information on
calcium, please visit http://calcium.articlekeep.com