skin care during pregnancy | ExpatWoman.com
 

skin care during pregnancy

184
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 02 August 2013 - 18:05

hi all... is there any special care required early on during pregnancy ...apologies if i sound dumb.. but any stretch marks cream etc? when are we ideally supposed to use it?
secondly i really want to swim (in 1st trimester) and some people advised against it due to the chlorine content in water and also i may catch V infection in a common pool...

2782
Posts
EW EXPERT
Latest post on 05 August 2013 - 17:46
ditto what Meagle said, I swam (or waddled through the pool) throughout both my pregnancies, it was a good way to exercise and get some sunshine. I didn't use oils/creams and didn't get any stretch marks even though I gained quite a lot of weight both times, its not something you can prevent though, if its going to happen it will but stretch marks are not due to dry skin so moisturising won't help. Always nice to give the bump a rub though so do it if you want, maybe consider a healthier oil than bio-oil. (like a plant based oil). Interesting, I didnt realize Bio Oil had nasties in it. What plant based oil did you have in mind? Bio Oil is petroleum based, I don't really like to use anything on my skin that wouldn't be safe to eat, I didn't bother using anything for my bump but for my babies I used almond oil (J&J and most other baby oils are mineral, not that I would use J7J products at all) you could also use coconut oil, or olive oil or even make up your own fancy bump mix http://blog.healthy.co.nz/why-i-dont-stock-bio-oil/ But none of it will stop the stretch marks, you'll either get them or you won't ;)
200
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 05 August 2013 - 10:06
ditto what Meagle said, I swam (or waddled through the pool) throughout both my pregnancies, it was a good way to exercise and get some sunshine. I didn't use oils/creams and didn't get any stretch marks even though I gained quite a lot of weight both times, its not something you can prevent though, if its going to happen it will but stretch marks are not due to dry skin so moisturising won't help. Always nice to give the bump a rub though so do it if you want, maybe consider a healthier oil than bio-oil. (like a plant based oil). Interesting, I didnt realize Bio Oil had nasties in it. What plant based oil did you have in mind?
2782
Posts
EW EXPERT
Latest post on 04 August 2013 - 19:05
ditto what Meagle said, I swam (or waddled through the pool) throughout both my pregnancies, it was a good way to exercise and get some sunshine. I didn't use oils/creams and didn't get any stretch marks even though I gained quite a lot of weight both times, its not something you can prevent though, if its going to happen it will but stretch marks are not due to dry skin so moisturising won't help. Always nice to give the bump a rub though so do it if you want, maybe consider a healthier oil than bio-oil. (like a plant based oil).
200
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 04 August 2013 - 15:59
I read somewhere that older women are less inclined to get stretch marks. Just to make sure I did use Bio Oil and I actually dont have 1 mark at all. Second pregnancy I wasnt planning on using anything but the hubby is more concerned about stretch marks then me apparently so he bought me a bottle and makes me put it on. Anyway, I also think it is either genetic but hey, putting some oil on my belly isnt going to kill me and if it should work then even better.
849
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 04 August 2013 - 14:42
I asked my OB specifically about stretch marks. She said the creams are really a scam. There is nothing you can do to prevent stretch marks. They are completely genetic. Creams and moisturizers can help relieve your discomfort from the skin stretching, but won't prevent marks from forming. I have never been told not to swim during pregnancy. You will find there are A LOT of myths and old wives tales regarding pregnancy and young children. <em>edited by Meagle on 04/08/2013</em>
95
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 04 August 2013 - 14:09
Hi Saggi_1 For the skincare, I don't think there's anything specific you need to do early on - but having said that I moisturise all over daily after my shower, and have done since my teens. Maybe if you dont already moisturise it might be worth starting to help the skin out as it stretches. I guess when your skin really starts stretching (when your bump starts developing or b**bs grow more) then you would maybe need to look at a more heavy duty moisturiser. As for the swimming, I have been encouraged to keep up the swimming I was doing pre-pregnancy by my ob/gyn. It's a nice exercise to do while pregnant as it's easy on the joints and the water keeps you from getting too hot. I'm not aware of any risks around chlorinated pools, as long as the chemicals are at the right levels - I think the risk would be more in an unchlorinated pool as the chlorine is there to kill bacteria and prevent the spread of infection. Hope that helps! I should say I'm on my first pregnancy too, so happy to be corrected if one of the more experienced ladies knows better!
 
 

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