Skin changes happen to almost all
pregnant women. Most of these will
go away after your baby is born.
The ‘glow’ of the expectant
mother is not just a look of happiness.
Skin oil secretions increase as a
result of hormonal changes, especially
during the second half of pregnancy.
Because of this, some women will have
skin breakouts similar to those of
the teenage years.
- Drink lots of water. It is very
helpful for cleansing the pores
of the skin.
- Wash your face often with a gentle
cleanser. Do not use greasy creams
and makeup because they will clog
the pores.
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Dry skin with itching can be a problem
for some women. Moisturizers for dry
skin, calamine lotion for the itching
and drinking plenty of fluids will
help. Also keep rooms well humidified
during the colder season when the
heating is on. If this doesn’t
help, talk to your doctor about using
other medications.
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Pregnancy hormones can have many effects
on the skin. One example is the increase
in dark spots often seen on the face
or other parts of the body. This can
be one of the earliest signs of pregnancy.
You will notice the darkened areola
around the nipples and even the darkening
of the linea alba. This is the white
line that goes down the middle of
your stomach to the top of your pubic
bone. You likely never knew it was
there. When this line becomes darkened,
it is called the linea nigra or black
line.
Women with darker complexions may
also find patches of darkened skin
on their foreheads, noses and cheeks.
In black women, these may look like
white patches. These blotches are
called chloasma or the ‘mask
of pregnancy.’
Yes. These darkened areas will start
to fade after delivery. If you are
planning to be in the sun, use a sunblock
with a minimum SPF of 15. The sun
can darken the spots even more.
There is some evidence that the increased
pigmentation is caused by too little
folic acid.
It is a good idea to take your prenatal
vitamins right through pregnancy because
most of them contain folic acid.
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It is hard for pregnant women to avoid
stretch marks. Almost all women will
develop them. These pink or reddish,
slightly indented streaks can show
up on the breasts, hips, thighs and
abdomen. As the name shows, these
marks are caused by stretching of
the skin. Some mothers will be lucky
enough to have a more elastic skin
tone and won’t get any of these
marks. This may be due to genetics
or perhaps to excellent nutrition
and exercise.
- Stretch marks are caused by a
large and/or fast increase in weight.
Keeping weight gain steady, gradual
and moderate may minimize them.
- Cream, lotion or oil will not
prevent or remove stretch marks.
However, these remedies may be useful
for dry and itchy skin.
- Stretch marks will gradually fade
after delivery and take on a light
silvery sheen.
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Many women will develop ‘pregnancy
gingivitis’ or swelling of the
gums. It usually starts during the
first months of pregnancy and continues
until the baby is born. Your gums
will improve within several months
after delivery.
To help prevent gum problems:
- Brush and floss your teeth regularly.
- Eat a well-balanced diet.
This information is developed in collaboration
with:
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