In this article you will know about Belly care in pregnancy. I rarely see someone whose belly is still smooth on the day of delivery. No matter what, you will get wrinkles, the difference is just the number of wrinkles and the depth of color. I also got them in the third trimester, but they were not obvious and were very light. I have always kept them within the acceptable range. After all, I did a lot of homework from the beginning.
Stretch marks are mainly related to weight gain during pregnancy, skin care and personal physique. We cannot change our physique, so let’s work on weight management and skin care.
1. Weight and belly care management during pregnancy
1. Diet
① Eat small and frequent meals: Split three meals into six meals without changing the total food intake. Increase the proportion of coarse grains in the staple food, and add some sweet potatoes, purple sweet potatoes, buckwheat, etc. when cooking rice.
② Eat less staple food as a snack, and prefer the following: sugar-free yogurt, whole-grain biscuits, whole-wheat bread or a small amount of nuts (walnuts, cashews, pine nuts).
③ Eat more low-sugar fruits: apples, blueberries, strawberries, cherry tomatoes, etc. The total amount should not exceed 500 grams per day.
④ Ensure the intake of high-quality protein: milk, eggs, fish, shrimp, beef, etc.
⑤ Pay special attention to calcium supplementation in the late pregnancy. You can drink milk or take calcium tablets directly.
2. Sports
① Rest for 10 minutes after dinner, then take a 30-minute walk, and do this every day.
② Follow the pregnant women’s exercise. My favorite is the pregnant women’s exercise by Casey Smith . The whole set lasts 53 minutes and the intensity is not high. I think it is suitable for all pregnant women. I usually follow the exercise for 20-30 minutes. The movements are simple and interesting, not boring, and easy to stick to. I highly recommend it.
3. Skin care (the most important thing is to apply oil)
1. Choose the corresponding pregnancy oil at different stages
① Early pregnancy (pink fine lines appear)
At this stage, the skin becomes dry and loses elasticity. It is recommended to choose a care oil rich in moisturizing and skin elasticity enhancing ingredients. Preferred ingredients include jojoba seed oil , marula oil or white meadowfoam seed oil , which can deeply moisturize the skin and prevent the formation of early wrinkles.
②Mid-pregnancy (the lines darken to red)
At this time, many expectant mothers will feel dry and itchy skin. In addition to basic moisturizing, you also need ingredients that soothe and relieve itching. Products containing bisabolol , camellia seed oil and chamomile are recommended . These natural ingredients can effectively relieve discomfort.
③ Late pregnancy (the lines turn purple-brown)
In the third trimester, the skin’s elastic fibers are more damaged and the lines become clearer. At this stage, you should choose ingredients that can repair elasticity, such as Centella asiatica , Gentiana root and Purslane extract , which can help the skin restore elasticity.
2. Ingredients to avoid with caution
①Irritating ingredients, such as salicylic acid, hydroquinone and retinol.
② Allergenic ingredients, such as cetearyl alcohol.
③Preservative ingredients, such as paraben, methylisothiazolinone, etc.
3. Correct way to use pregnancy oil
The best time to use pregnancy oil is after taking a shower, when the skin is still slightly damp. Pour an appropriate amount of oil into the palm of your hand and rub it to warm it up, then apply it evenly to the areas prone to wrinkles and gently massage until absorbed. The specific massage techniques are as follows:
① Abdomen: Apply gently from bottom to top.
②Chest: Massage in circles from the armpit towards the clavicle.
③Waist: Apply from both sides toward the middle of the navel.
④Buttocks: Massage from bottom to top, from inside to outside.
⑤Back: Massage outwards with the spine as the center.
⑥ Thighs: Massage from inside to outside.
