This pregnancy has all of a sudden become a reality to me. For the first 5 months I had this little belly that didn’t appear to be growing too fast. It could even appear to some people that maybe I just had too much for lunch. Now, just starting my 3rd trimester I realize that my belly is quite large and I actually am pregnant now. My feet hurt like nobody’s business, I cry over silly things, I have to roll over or have help to get up from a lying position and I understand now why people get stretch marks…..Yikes. I am in the clear so far. About a month ago when I noticed that every week my belly was larger than the week before I started slathering my belly with anything that I could find. So far I have used a cocoa butter cream, vitamin E and even olive oil (which was a different yet pleasant recommendation). I do all of this knowing what I have clearly read and have been told by my doctor, that stretch marks are genetic. My mother was able to avoid the little cretins, so I have that on my side but I don’t think I am out of the woods yet. I will continue to moisturize my belly in hopes that it will help and also because it’s nice to have it smooth and not itching from the stretching.
Stretch marks can come to anyone at anytime not just when someone is pregnant. The main cause of them is putting on weight too fast, which is something that pregnant women can tend to do. So to avoid putting on weight to fast watching your eating habits may be able to prevent these little buggers. They are saying that the recommended and “normal” amount of weight to gain is anywhere from 25 – 40 pounds, so to stay in this range eating a balanced diet will definitely help. You guys know the drill, like we haven’t said it before. Bulk up on Fruits and Vegetables, eat lean proteins and only good carbohydrates (complex carbs). Beans & Lentils are a fabulous and healthy option and eating healthy oils coming from foods like nuts and seeds and avocados. Eating 5 small meals a day is still a great option, even though you are pregnant it doesn’t give you a free pass to go crazy…..or does it? This will have to be left unsettled. Eat when you are hungry!! That’s important for your little one. Just choose healthy options because that is what he or she really needs anyhow. And, stay hydrated!! Drink loads of water, it is important for your overall health and well-being as well as that of your growing babes, and it is critical to healthy skin.
So if stretch marks are in my future and I can’t avoid them, well that’s unfortunate, however I will wear them with pride because we all know my husband didn’t carry and birth this little girl. 
