After pregnancy, stretch marks (striae) fade from red/purple to silvery-white, becoming less noticeable over 6-12 months, though they usually don't disappear completely, settling into permanent, lighter scars that can be improved with treatments like laser therapy, microneedling, or retinoids to boost collagen and skin elasticity, according to Healthline and The Bump.
Stretch marks are common in pregnancy, especially during the last trimester. They often fade but don't usually disappear.
Glycolic Acid
It's also been shown to accelerate collagen production by activating fibroblasts—the cell that creates collagen. This potent ingredient helps to reduce the width of striae alba (white stretch marks) over a six-month period. You can also combine glycolic acid with tretinoin for even better results.
For many women, stretch marks are as much a part of having a baby as diapers and feedings. “My belly was so itchy and tight when I was pregnant -- and sure enough, I noticed the lines as my tummy grew," says Maggie Shaw, a 38-year-old mom in San Francisco. "They got even worse after my second pregnancy."
While it is more common during the formation, the itching can flare up during any weight changes. This is because stretch-marked skin is thinner, thanks to the tearing. The delicate surface leaves the nerve effectors exposed and more sensitive to irritants which causes itchy skin.
Stretch marks usually fade over time but may not disappear completely. Many creams and lotions claim to prevent, reduce or remove stretch marks. But there's very little evidence these work. There are some treatments that may help make stretch marks look better, but they will not get rid of them.
Massaging stretch-marked skin is a great way to break up the scar tissue that makes lines permanent. It can also be an effective way to heal itchy skin when you use an oil product during the massage. That's right! Oil-based products can be used as a hydrator as well as a massage oil.
So, does “mom pooch” go away? Yes — at least, most of the time. Although postpartum belly is stubborn, the good news is that eventually, much of it will disappear on its own. Just as you experience hormonal changes during pregnancy, your hormones shift after you've given birth.
The second natural childbirth causes more uterine pain:
While the second natural childbirth is less painful during delivery, postpartum uterine pain is double that of the first childbirth. This is a reality shared by mothers who have given birth twice. Every mother faces postpartum uterine pain.
Exercise. One way to decrease the visibility of excess skin after pregnancy is to strengthen the muscle below it. In the case of the abdomen, strengthening your core through regular exercise can help to build the stomach muscles out and tighten the skin above as a result.
Kim Kardashian has used resurfacing lasers such as fractional and Cool Laser treatments to improve skin texture, stretch marks, and pigmentation. These lasers help tighten, smooth, and rejuvenate the skin without the need for invasive procedures.
Palmer's Cocoa Butter Formula Massage Cream helps visibly improve skin elasticity and the appearance of stretch marks. Pure Cocoa Butter and Shea Butter, Natural Oils, Collagen, Elastin and Lutein keep skin moisturized and supple for 48 hours allowing skin to stretch more easily.
Derived from vitamin A, retinoids — such as tretinoin (Retin-A, Renova, Avita) — that you apply to your skin may improve the appearance of stretch marks less than a few months old. Tretinoin, when it works, helps to rebuild a protein in the skin called collagen, making the stretch marks look more like your normal skin.
Over time, your postpartum belly will lessen on its own. However, there are ways you can improve your postpartum belly at home. Once your doctor says it's OK, try to add exercise to your daily routine. Start with walking and light body weight exercises.
Professional Treatments That Help
Microneedling uses fine needles to create controlled micro-injuries in the skin. This stimulates new collagen and elastin, helping to improve the texture and fade the appearance of stretch marks over time. Advanced devices such as Dermapen make the process precise and effective.
You may also get stretch marks after pregnancy due to natural hormonal changes and those caused by birth control (which your ob-gyn will likely recommend going on to avoid another pregnancy so soon after birth), adds Cynthia Flynn, MD, a Florida-based ob-gyn with JustAnswer.
If your first birth was a large baby weighing 10lb or more, you are more likely to have a large baby this time too. It is worth noting that on average, second babies are only around 5 oz (or 140g) heavier.
A numerical rating scale (NRS) of 0–10 was adopted to evaluate maternal pain, with 0 describing no labor pain and 10 describing the most severe labor pain. The higher the score, the more severe the labor pain is.
If you're expecting your second baby, you will most likely have them in the 39th week, whether spontaneous or induced. Labor induction in week 39 did not used to be the norm, but it increasingly is. A big reason for this change is the ARRIVE trial, which showed that labor induction did not drive C-section rates.
Hip Widening
This hormonal shift can lead to a widening of the hips, which may persist after giving birth. While some women may notice a permanent change in hip width, for others, the hips may gradually return to their pre-pregnancy size as the ligaments tighten over time.
The 5-5-5 rule is a guideline for what kind of help a postpartum mom needs: five days in bed, five days round the bed — meaning minimal walking around — the next five days around the home. This practice will help you prioritize rest and recovery while gradually increasing activity.
Walking is a very simple exercise that helps you get rid of a mummy tummy. But do not just walk. To increase abdominal strength and remove your mom pooch, you should contract your tummy muscles.
To reduce them, you should act as soon as possible, i.e. when they are still coloured (red/purple). In conclusion, you should start applying the anti-stretch mark cream as early as possible, as early as the 1st trimester if possible, to put all the chances on your side!
Treatment. Because stretch marks are caused by skin tears, avoiding anything that may cause more damage to your skin can help reduce irritation while they heal. This includes scratching or picking. Stretch marks typically don't require treatment and may fade over time.
Honey possesses various antiseptic properties that can prevent the appearance of stretch marks on the skin. Yet do remember that honey should be in raw form without any processes. To add this to the schedule of women's care, you just need to apply honey on the cloth and then wrap up it around the area for a while.