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No one wants to get stretch marks, but when you're pregnant you know that, along with fatigue, backaches, nausea and frequent urination, stretch marks are a fact of life. In truth, between 75 and 90 percent of all pregnant women (90 percent of white women) get stretch marks during pregnancy.

Stretch marks can begin to appear around the 6th or 7th month of pregnancy. Unfortunately, stretch marks also can appear on other areas as well. These are the upper thighs, buttocks, breasts and even arms, depending on the amount of weight gain, your genetic predisposition, and whether or not you make a concerted effort to avoid stretch marks.

So what can you do to beat the odds and avoid stretch marks? Scientists argue about what you can do for to prevent them, but one thing is fairly certain: genetics plays an important role in whether or not you are prone to acquiring stretch marks. However, there are some things you can do to reduce the possibility of getting stretch marks. Following these guidelines, all of which are good for your general health and the shape of your skin, will go a long way toward putting the odds in your favor.

How to Get rid of Stretch Marks

- Eat a healthy, diverse and balanced diet that maintains your weight gain within the ideal range of 25 to 35 pounds. Excellent nutritional status is vital for your developing child, but it also adds to the strength and health of your body's largest organ: the skin.

- Utilize a body brush or wash cloth to massage the areas where you have stretch marks, or want to prevent stretch marks from forming- this will improve circulation to the area, which can be helpful.

- Drink plenty of water. Hydration is vital for your general health and well-being as well as that of your growing baby, and it is vital to healthy skin.

- Take your vitamins. This is one more method to ensure proper nutritional status, which is vital for your general health and well-being, as well as beautiful skin and a strong baby.

- Keep skin liberally and efficiently moisturized hydrated starting in the first or second trimester and through to your pre-pregnancy weight. It is a good idea to use one of the many oils and creams marketed specifically to make stretch marks go away instead of your usual moisturizer.

Remember that it is crucial to take care of yourself during the postpartum stage as well. The dramatic weight loss makes your skin susceptible to stretch marks. Be careful to prevent additional scarring in this stage.

If you do remember all of these guidelines yet still can't prevent stretch marks, don't worry. They will disappear in time to tiny silvery lines, and become much less noticeable.