If you are pregnant you know that your body goes through a lot of changes. Your stomach stretches like a balloon and other places just aren't the same size that they used to be. But it is worth it to know that soon you will be holding that precious little person in your arms. However, you still can't help worrying about developing stretch marks. This article will explain what stretch marks are and your risk of getting them. It will also give you some good tips on preventing stretch marks during pregnancy.

Stretch marks develop in the middle layer of the skin which is made up of collagen. When the skin is stretched continually past the breakdown point, the body will try to compensate by sending more collagen to the over stretched site. The excess collagen is what causes scar like tissue, or stretch marks, to develop.

Researchers say that the likelihood of you getting stretch marks during pregnancy will increase if your mother had stretch marks during pregnancy.

But there are things that you can do to prevent stretch marks during pregnancy. These tips will give you the upper hand in the war against stretch marks.

-Eat a healthy well balanced diet and drink plenty of water. Rapid weight gain is a common cause of stretch marks and is unhealthy for you and your baby. Eating right during pregnancy can help you keep your weight gain under control. Talk with your doctor about how much weight you should gain during your pregnancy. Just because you are eating for two doesn't mean that you have permission to overdo it.

-Drink plenty of water to keep your skin well hydrated and pliable. Take your pre natal vitamins. Your body needs extra vitamins and minerals at this time so taking your vitamins will supplement those needs. It will also help you develop beautiful skin and hair during your pregnancy.

-Another way to avoid stretch marks is to use creams that contain vitamin E or cocoa butter. Massage these creams onto your skin where stretch marks are forming. The massaging action itself can increase blood flow to that area and diminish visible stretch marks. There are plenty of creams on the market that claim to reduce the appearance of stretch marks. You might want to try several to see what works for you.

For some women there is no way to prevent stretch marks. However, the good news is that they do fade over time. They will take on a much lighter color depending on your skin tone. If the stretch marks still bother you, talk to a dermatologist about the best treatment option.

Having a healthy baby should be the most important thing. A few stretch marks are a small price to pay for a beautiful, healthy baby. But if you follow the above tips, you may be able to succeed in preventing stretch marks during pregnancy.

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