HEALTH Stretch marks and skin care in pregnancy

It’s official, there’s a baby boom on. The highest number of births since 1896 were recorded last year, and if my own circle of pals are any indicator – five bundles of joy have arrived in the past ten weeks! – the boom is continuing.
Aromatherapy has a very supportive role to play during pregnancy, helping to reduce anxiety, aches and pains, fluid retention and the big one brought on by bumps, stretch marks.
Firstly, though, the most important point with regard to using essential oils during pregnancy is to use them in a much lower concentration (1 per cent or less) – they may be natural, but this doesn’t mean you can lather them on. Wine is made from grapes, but it doesn’t mean you can wash down a gallon of it without ill effect. ‘Everything in moderation’, especially when pregnant.
Another important point: It is generally recommended to use essential oils after the first 12 weeks of pregnancy. At around 12 weeks, the first scan normally takes place and many women find nauseous symptoms have passed and their sense of smell, which often triggers nausea, is settling down. Essential oils have potent aromas, and like some foods, they may be too intense for some people in the first trimester.
Obviously, the skin stretches in pregnancy, but the effects of that stretching depends on the elasticity available. Every woman’s skin is different, and just like different fabrics (think of a cotton pillow case verses a cotton t-shirt) it will be affected in a different way.

By Ellen Cox

READ FULL ARTICLE CLICK HERE Copyright © 2005 - 2009 The Mayo News.