How to Prevent Stretch Marks at 18 Weeks Pregnant

By the 18th week of pregnancy, your baby and your belly are both growing at a mind-boggling pace. This can be an exciting time, but some of the changes and side effects of pregnancy can be less than pleasant. One such side effect is the appearance of stretch marks, or red streaks on your abdomen, hips, thighs or buttocks. These marks appear when your skin stretches rapidly. There is no way to tell for sure if you will get stretch marks during your pregnancy. Unfortunately there is also no proven way to prevent them. However, there are things you can do to reduce the likelihood of stretch marks.

Things You'll Need

• Lotion
• Vitamin E oil

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Instructions

• 1

  Eat a healthy diet. Stretch marks are caused by rapid weight gain that occurs during pregnancy. Reduce your chances of getting stretch marks by limiting your weight gain to 20 to 25 pounds -- or whatever your doctor has recommended. Eat a healthy diet consisting of vegetables, fruits, proteins and healthy fats. Try to avoid empty calories or fattening sweets, or indulge sparingly.

• 2

  Exercise regularly. Ask your doctor what types of exercises are safe for you during pregnancy. Some recommendations may include walking, swimming or prenatal yoga. Regular exercise will help keep your weight gain within the recommended range -- and will keep baby at a healthier weight as well -- while reducing your risk of stretch marks.

• 3

  Moisturize daily. Apply lotion liberally to your abdomen, thighs and buttocks after you shower, when you wake up and before you go to bed. Moisturizing can help keep the skin from becoming too tight. The more supple and flexible your skin is, the less likely you are to develop stretch marks.

• 4

  Apply vitamin E oil to your abdomen every day. Sprinkle a few drops on your belly and gently massage it in.

• 5

  Hydrate yourself. When you get dehydrated, your skin suffers too. Keep a water bottle with you throughout the day, to remind yourself to drink enough. Not only will this help you stay healthy, it will help prevent your skin from drying out; making stretch marks even less likely to appear.