What causes stretch marks in expecting mothers

Pregnant women’s skin undergoes substantial changes and stretching throughout gestation, often resulting in stretch marks appearing around the abdomen, hips and thighs. With proper awareness and preventive measures, expectant mothers can minimize or reduce the development of these marks from early pregnancy.

Stretch marks typically emerge when maternal weight increases faster than abdominal skin can maintain elasticity. Most expectant mothers notice marks on the chest and abdomen first, followed by arms, buttocks or thighs. The appearance varies by skin type, with marks initially appearing purple or red, then white, gradually turning gray or black following childbirth.

Statistics indicate approximately 90% of women develop stretch marks during their sixth or seventh month of pregnancy. These marks tend to increase in size and quantity as the fetus grows and maternal weight rises rapidly. Mark coloring depends on individual skin tone, with fair-skinned women typically showing pink marks while darker-skinned women often display marks lighter than their natural complexion.

Understanding the causes

Not all women develop stretch marks during pregnancy. The condition results from collagen breakdown and elastic tissue layer deterioration beneath the skin. Maternal age influences severity, making age a contributing factor. Carrying multiple babies can trigger marks because the abdomen expands more significantly, requiring greater skin stretching to accommodate babies in the womb.

Hormonal fluctuations in the body play a role. By the third month of pregnancy, endocrine glands undergo substantial changes. The fetus and placenta secrete considerable progesterone and estrogen, strongly stimulating melanin precursor molecule formation and increasing skin pigmentation. This process explains why marks form and darken, with some mothers also developing dark spots.

Rapid maternal weight gain affects skin composition. Skin consists of three layers including the outer epidermis, middle dermis and inner hypodermis. During pregnancy, rapid weight increases cause prolonged skin stretching that gradually diminishes elasticity. To limit marks, mothers should control weight gain, aiming for moderate increases of approximately 7 to 15 kilograms throughout gestation.

Genetics influence mark degree and timing. Those with stronger skin structure show less susceptibility to marks. Additionally, hereditary factors play a determining role in mark development.

Risk factors

Mark timing depends on multiple factors including body type, genetics and weight gain patterns. Although common, not all expectant mothers face equal risk, explaining why some develop marks while others avoid them.

Expectant mothers whose mothers or sisters experienced pregnancy stretch marks show higher likelihood of developing them personally. Additionally, mothers either very young, under 20, or older, over 35, face elevated risk because their skin remains incompletely developed or has begun aging. Those who developed marks during puberty typically experience recurrence during pregnancy.

Mothers who maintain proper skin care and ensure adequate nutrition during pregnancy help their skin increase elasticity and avoid mark formation.

Prevention strategies

Nearly all expectant mothers will encounter stretch marks during pregnancy, however multiple methods can help limit appearance and simultaneously fade them quickly following childbirth. Building a skin-beneficial diet improves elasticity, preventing mark appearance. Beneficial foods include strawberries, blueberries, spinach and items rich in vitamin E, vitamin A, omega-3 and omega-6.

Drinking abundant water helps detoxify the body and maintains soft, moist skin cells, keeping skin healthy and helping marks disappear quickly after childbirth. Regular exercise during pregnancy maintains skin elasticity by improving blood circulation and supporting reasonable weight maintenance. Expectant mothers should perform only pregnancy-appropriate exercises that remain gentle and avoid excessive strenuousness.

Reasonable weight control proves essential. Careful selection of bath soaps, shampoos and skincare products during pregnancy matters significantly. Choose natural essential oils to nourish skin and exfoliate. Apply sunscreen when outdoors, especially on chest, face, abdomen and areas prone to stretch marks.

Marks usually appear around the second trimester. To minimize them, pregnant women should implement preventive measures from pregnancy’s beginning. During this stage, women may experience not only marks but also gestational diabetes and signs of preterm labor. Therefore, during the second trimester, attention should focus on comprehensive fetal screening, gestational diabetes screening to avoid dangerous complications, reasonable weight control to assess health status and fetal development, and understanding preterm labor signs, especially for those carrying multiple babies or with miscarriage or preterm birth history.