Friday, January 21, 2011

filed under: stretch marks

As a fertility and pregnancy specialist, I’ve been lucky enough to help guide thousands of women through their pregnancies. My patients have asked me every question imaginable, from the normal (What can I do to lessen morning sickness?) to the unique (Can I cook the placenta after I give birth?). But one topic that seems to arise with every patient without fail is stretch marks.

It is a myth that stretch marks are the norm for pregnancies, or that only genetics cause one woman to have them while another doesn’t. There are many things you can do to prevent stretch marks. Here are some tips I share with all my patients:
1. Watch your weight. I know, it seems obvious, but those excess pregnancy pounds are a big culprit. If you and your doctor decide you need to lose some pounds, keep in mind that weight maintenance during pregnancy means you are still losing. Or, if you really want to try a diet, pick your favorite weight loss program and do it only one day a week, and listen to your doctor about how much weight you should gain. True, you can take it off after the pregnancy, but if you control your weight during your pregnancy you will greatly reduce those stretch marks.
2. Keep your fish on your plate, not in your supplements. Not all fish, but fish-based fatty acids. I recommend taking a supplement that is a non-fish blend of unrefined oils, offering a balanced ratio of fatty acids. (1:1ratio of omega 3?s to omega 6?s with .05 mg of Lignans per serving). Approximately 60 to 80 percent of my patients do not have ANY stretch marks that take omegas like this. I recommend East West Essentials Optimal Fatty Acid Blend.
3. Add a side of avocado. And increase other oils in your diet, such olive oil and nuts. These are very high in omegas and what we call “good fat,” which also help the neurological development of your babby.
4. Put your partner to work… as a masseuse! Go ahead, it is doctor recommended. A light massage is excellent for circulation of Qi and blood. Stretch marks can be reduced by increasing the vasculation of tissue, and light massage improves circulation.

Dr. Jeanne Wilson, co-founder of East West Essentials