Pregnancy Skin Care Guide

Pregnancy is an exciting time for women. Your body is changing, you’re preparing for another addition to your family, and you’re enjoying the love and support of your family and friends. Unfortunately, pregnancy also has a few less-than-glamorous aspects, such as the temporary skin issues that often arise. Luckily, most of these skin issues resolve themselves shortly after delivery; however, here’s a quick guide to several common skin conditions developed during pregnancy, as well as what pregnancy-safe products can be used to treat them.

One of the most common skin conditions associated with pregnancy is the development of stretch marks, tiny tears under the skin that 90% of women develop in the sixth or seventh month. While there’s no research conclusively proving how to manage stretch marks, moisturizer can improve the appearance and also reduce itchiness. Speaking of itchiness, pregnant women often experience itchiness and rashes as well. Similar to stretch marks, these symptoms can be relieved with the use of fragrance-free moisturizers.

The hormonal changes women experience can lead to melasma and acne. Melasma is the darkening of the skin on a woman’s face, and makeup and concealer can camouflage the darkness, while sunscreen can prevent further darkening and soy-based sunscreen may even lighten the affected area. Women can improve any acne on their face by washing their face regularly with fragrance-free cleanser and using over-the-counter, pregnancy-safe products. Unfortunately, many such acne products contain benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid, or retinoids, which can be dangerous to pregnant women as they’ve been linked to pregnancy complications and birth defects.

Finally, a few skin conditions pregnant women face can be easily treated at home. For example, puffiness on the face and eyelids can be improved with ice and cold packs.

While the skin conditions caused by pregnancy can be uncomfortable, pregnant women can gain relief in the fact that it’s a temporary discomfort that will soon be replaced by a child to love.

I Wish I Could Have Traveled when I was Pregnant

Being pregnant is such a fun and magical time. You are usually the center of attention. People dote over you. Even when you travel you receive the pregnant woman special treatment. It's kind of fun to be pampered sometimes. I have heard stories of people traveling while pregnant and strangers paid for their dinner or even gave a monetary gift for the baby. I think that is such a kind thing to do.  I wasn't able to travel while I was pregnant because I was high risk my entire pregnancy. I was put on modified bed rest at 18 weeks. I had Placenta Previa with the cord under the placenta. I don't think I went farther than twenty five minutes away from home my entire pregnancy. It really sucked because I love to travel so much. I didn't go on any vacations my entire pregnancy with Noah. It was such a chore to go anywhere for me. I was pretty much bed ridden. I was allowed to go a few places. We went to the county fair because I wanted an elephant ear. The weather was so hot that I had to rest after getting one. It was early July and I was pretty pregnant by then. I gained a lot of weight.  If you are healthy and have your doctor’s approval it can be fun to travel while you are expecting.

I did go on vacation with my first pregnancy. We went to a beautiful lake and stayed on my ex-husband's family's houseboat. When I was little, I experienced car sickness so I was a little worried when we drove down. Thankfully I am one of the lucky women who doesn't get morning sickness but I wasn't sure about the car. I figured out ways to prevent it and ways to make it more fun for everyone else. Being cooped up in a car can be frustrating when you have a tiny person growing inside your womb if you aren’t prepared.

Check out my post about traveling while you are expecting. Remember it is a special time. Cherish every moment.