Pregnancy should be a time of joy, but for many women it's tough to deal with all the changes taking place in their bodies, including weight gain and stretch marks. If only there was a way of preventing stretch marks while pregnant. But while stretch marks resulting from pregnancy cannot be completely avoided, they can be reduced in number and size.

Stretch marks result when the collagen in your skin tears because it's exceeded its elastic capacity, so you need to stay hydrated to avoid this as much as possible. Stretching and tearing occurs less frequently when the dermis is well hydrated. To keep your skin hydrated there are two ways of ensuring it. First of all, an essential practice is that you consume at least eight glasses of water each day. As well, rubbing moisturizing body balms and oils into your skin a couple of times a day supports your efforts in preventing stretch marks while pregnant. The best creams for stretch mark prevention are comprised of beneficial products like cocoa butter, elastin and wheat germ oil.

Women who gain weight too quickly during pregnancy are more prone to developing stretch marks. It is also true for women who gain too much weight when they are pregnant. While you are pregnant, don't use your pregnancy as an excuse to overindulge on junk foods, just because you are eating for two. Rather, you should eat lots of natural, wholesome foods that aren't processed.

There are other reasons why you should eat a variety of healthy foods while your baby is growing. You and your baby need good nutrition to insure good health; however, proper nutrition also helps keep your skin healthy, which is essential to preventing stretch marks while pregnant. Skin is made healthier and softer by consuming adequate quantities of vitamins such as A, C and E, along with certain minerals and essential fatty acids. By taking prenatal vitamin supplements on a daily basis, you can obtain nutrients that are needed. However, eating healthily is still the best choice.

Healthy, supple skin responds much better to the demands of pregnancy and is less prone to developing stretch marks. Even if you follow all of the proper guidelines, though, preventing stretch marks while pregnant isn't a sure thing. Pale skinned women and women expecting a large baby or more than one baby are more likely to get stretch marks. Luckily, as time wears on, stretch marks decrease in visibility, and the dark-reddish tinge fades. Even as stretch marks appear, there are certain creams that can be used to diminish their appearance. If you have the cash for laser surgery, it can also be a good choice to get rid of stretch marks.