my stomach is really stretched now ....

and i am really starting to worry about stretch marks...

Sadly, stretch marks are something that cannot be prevented completely as they are caused by the hormones of pregnancy.. However, there are some steps that can be taken to reduce their severity. Exercise, before, during, and after pregnancy. Use lotions to help skin retain its elasticity. Take vitamins, multi-vitamins, and specially vitamin E. Eat lots of vegetables and fruit. Drink nothing but water. Water's natural ability to help the body both heal and sustain will aid in avoiding stretch marks.

Who Gets Stretch Marks?

Many women believe that using lotions and creams help prevent stretch marks. Realistically speaking however, the number of stretch marks you get depends on how elastic your skin is. The elasticity of your skin usually relates to your genetic make up. The best thing you can do is find out if your mother got bad stretch marks during pregnancy. If she did, you are probably more prone to stretch marks than other women.

Keep in mind the more weight you gain during pregnancy the more likely you are to have stretch marks. Normally the skin is elastic and capable of stretching quite a bit, however for some women the changes that occur during pregnancy are very drastic. These rapid fluctuations of weight and skin stretching can result in stretch marks.

Women with multiples are more likely to get stretch marks because their bellies usually grow much larger than women with single pregnancies. Other women likely to develop stretch marks include women who gain a lot of weight quickly during their pregnancy and women who carry big babies.

Here are some other factors that may contribute to your susceptibility to stretch marks:

* If you developed stretch marks before (like on your breasts during puberty) you are more likely to get stretch marks while pregnant.

* If you had stretch marks during another pregnancy you will usually get them again.

* If you are overweight or gain more weight than recommended you are more likely to get stretch marks.

* The better hydrated and well nourished you are the less likely you are to develop serious stretch marks.