Pregnancy is a time when a woman will experience many changes to her body.  An uncomfortable dry, itchy tummy is something that plagues many soon to be moms along with the dreaded stretch marks.  Stretch marks occur when the body grows faster than the skin can stretch.   This growth sometimes causes the elastic fibers under our skin to break resulting in stretch marks. Pregnant women typically get stretch marks on the abdomen or breasts but they may also appear on the thighs, buttocks, and hips.  Stretch marks start out as a pink or purple color and over time fade.  However, they may never completely go away.

There is no way of knowing if you will get stretch marks.  It is believed that if your mother or sister had them you are likely to get them. How fast and how much weight you gain may also affect if stretch marks appear.

Keeping your skin moisturized and hydrated is very important during pregnancy.  It will help relieve the itching you feel as your skin stretches.  Moistened skin is also more flexible which may help prevent stretch marks from developing.  There are a variety of options for pregnant women when it comes to moisturizing their growing bellies.  If you want an all-natural moisturizer, consider using either 100% Cocoa Butter or 100% Shea Butter. Both these natural products offer strong moisturizing qualities for all skin types and needs.  Other options include creams and lotions that contain these natural ingredients as well botanicals known for their hydrating qualities.

In addition to using a moisturizer drink lots of water!!  Water helps keep your entire body as well as your skin hydrated. Drinking lots of water along with a moisturizing routine for your skin will help keep your skin healthy as your body changes and experiences the wonders of pregnancy.