.jpg "Pregnancy Basics – Stretch Marks and Other Skin Changes")
Stretch marks are most often pink, reddish brown, or dark brown streaks in the skin. They occur typically on the thighs, buttocks, abdomen, and breasts. These scars are caused by the stretching of the skin and appear most commonly during a woman’s pregnancy. The color of stretch marks depends on a woman’s skin color. When it comes to stretch marks along with other beauty treatments you can turn to people for help if need be because we all have different needs and what might work for one person might not necessarily work for another so don’t be afraid to seek out professional advice if in doubt!
According to the U.S Department of Health and Human Services, while creams and lotions can keep her skin well moisturized, they do not prevent stretch marks from forming. Most fade after delivery.
Other Skin Changes
Some pregnancy symptoms can involve skin changes for expecting mothers. Some women notice that their nipples become darker and browner during pregnancy. Moreover, many pregnant women develop a dark line (called the linea nigra) on the skin that runs from the belly button down to the pubic hairline. A blotchy brown pigmentations on the forehead, nose and cheeks are also common symptoms called melasma or chloasma and are more common in darker-skinned women.
According to the US Department of Health and Human Services, most of these skin changes are actually caused by pregnancy hormones and will fade or disappear after childbirth.
Tingling and Itching
Tingling and numbness of the fingers, as well as swelling in the hands is common during pregnancy. According to the U.S Department of Health and Human Services, this annoying symptom is due to swelling or compression in narrow passages located within her wrists that should disappear after delivery. About 20% of women feel itchy during their pregnancy, usually under their abdomen area.
Some common, but easily overlooked pregnancy symptoms include redness of the underside of the abdomen, palms and soles of the feet for example. Fortunately these kinds of symptoms usually go away after delivering a child as it will usually have been caused by stretching skin and or eating more food than usual due to fluctuating hormone levels.
In the meantime, you can try these tips to help her feel better:
Use thick moisturizing creams instead of lotions on her skin
Get her to use gentle soaps
Make sure she avoids hot showers or baths that can dry her skin
Get her to avoid itchy fabrics and clothes
Take care she doesnt get over-heated.
Heat can make itching worse. Potentially, itchiness can be a sign of a potentially serious medical condition called cholestasis of pregnancy. If your spouse has experienced nausea, loss of appetite, fatigue, jaundice or vomiting one should contact their physician immediately. Cholestasis of pregnancy is a condition which occurs when there is an imbalance in the liver and is heavily influenced by hormonal changes which are often associated with childbearing women.
