Frequently, I hear a variation of this sentence from mothers very soon after childbirth. Too frequently, if you ask me.

It is the symptom of our fastpaced life. We have no time to waste on recovery. We hear, “Be strong. Get back to work. All mothers do it.” Work, family, child, and pretty much anyone else comes first. No matter what a mother has gone through mentally, emotionally, and physically, they are expected to bounce back, quickly. Having gone through an amazing bodily transformation, while supporting another human life; to delivery, which is a nature’s wonder that never seizes to amaze me after all these years. To postpartum, trying to heal and go back to the baseline as soon as possible, the “new normal”.

We have picked 6 weeks randomly, to be the general time a mother can spend in recovery after a delivery, without consideration for a mother’s new responsibilities of the baby. At 6 weeks she is juggling the baby, plus their normal responsibilities; it may be a full-time job, housework, and/or caring for another family member in need. Also, without any consideration for emotional, or physical needs that may have come about as a result of a complicated road to pregnancy, pregnancy itself, and delivery.

In other comparable economies in Europe, the median maternity leave is 87 weeks. Most countries also allow paternity leave. Obviously, the importance of bonding and maternal recovery is of significant importance in these countries.

Having said all this, slow down, delegate some of your responsibility and give yourself time to recover mentally, physically, and emotionally. Visit your obstetrician more often during pregnancy and after delivery. Ask questions and complain about things that do not seem right and bother you. Get re-assurance, treatment, or consult from other specialists if necessary. There is a solution for most things that does not seem right. Some quick and some may take some time.

You might “feel great” but take your time and be your own advocate. Long term, you will be happy you did. A problem passed over today may become a chronic issue you will have to deal with for many years to come.

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As the baby grows, so does the uterus carrying the baby. This growth stretches the skin over the enlarging uterus. Stretch marks are the red and brown streaks which eventually turn white, and sometimes itchy, that appear on or around your belly. They are a representation of the damage the skin has sustained during pregnancy.

The weight gains that women experience during pregnancy, and increased fat that develops in the tissue under the skin, weakens the skin and causes it to crack as it is stretched. Some women also have a genetic predisposition to stretch marks. If your mother has stretch marks, you are most likely at a higher risk to have them as well.

Currently, there are no effective treatments for stretch marks. However, prevention of stretch marks  is always possible through a careful diet. We have designed a diet program that is healthy for the baby and the mother and also helps reduce the chances of stretch marks from developing. We also recommend exercise programs to keep moms healthy and keep their skin healthy.

The best treatment is prevention, and it is certainly true for stretch marks.

The post Prevention of Stretch Marks During Pregnancy appeared first on Best Uro-Gynecologist Los Angeles, OB/GYN Glendale | Dr. Michael Tahery.