"Mama's Battle Scars"

For mums-to-be, getting pregnant is both a joyful and harrowing experience. We go through a lot of hormonal, emotional and physical changes. Speaking of physical, one can't deny that before and after pregnancy, our bodies just aren't the same. I like to call them "Mama's Battle Scars"-- signs of how we sacrifice a little of ourselves as we bring new life into the world. 

Here's a short list of some common 'battles scars' and how to prevent/treat them (if at all possible). 

JELLY BELLY

One can easily tell if a woman has or hasn't given birth when you see her in tight or hipster jeans. 

For those who have given birth, our lower belly tends to 'spill over' the top, looking like the edge of a muffin. My jelly belly was so severe (I gained an extra 27kg while pregnant with my 2nd), that people were still asking me if I was about to deliver soon -- 6 months AFTER I gave birth.. (true story!)

Prevention:

I doubt if there is any way to prevent this as our muscles are stretched so much while our uterus expands.

Treatment:

- Breastfeeding as much as possible to help the uterus contract.

- A comprehensive exercise program which includes cardio workout and ab toning exercises.

STRETCH MARKS

More than half of pregnant women will develop stretch marks during pregnancy and the color range from pinkish to darker streaks of blue or purple. For darker skinned women, they may be lighter in color. I was shocked when I spotted purple stretch marks on both my thighs when I was first pregnant.  At that time, I just bought a bottle of stretch mark cream and didn't even have the chance to apply it. Apparently, the amount of stretch marks one gets depends on how elastic our skin is, which depends very much on our genetic make-up--  and which, unfortunately, is out of our control. It also depends on how rapidly we gain weight -- which is within our control. Supposedly...

Prevention

-So far, there are no scientific studies that support the claims of different creams and lotions that can prevent stretch marks although some women may swear by cocoa butter. My sister used Bio-Oil and it seemed to have done her some good. 

- The best thing to do besides using creams is to gain the recommended amount of weight (between 25 and 34 pounds). 

Treatment

-First and foremost, stretch marks tend to fade by itself or become lighter over time although they may not completely disappear. So, if it does, nothing more to worry about...

- Apparently, there are methods e.g. laser treatments, surgical skin resection, microdermabrasion which are expensive and not guaranteed to completely remove them.

- Stretch marks cream e.g. cocoa butter cream, Tretinoin (Retin-A), creams with collagen, elastin, emu oil, liposomes..etc helps to penetrate the skin's layers and work on damaged skin. The challenge of course is finding the right cream. Anyone can testify about one that worked wonders for you?

- Frankly, I think that unless you make a living as a supermodel, this is hardly a cause for concern. But then again, to each her own...

(Source: Stretch Marks, Ezine)
 

SAGGY BREASTS

Have you tried putting on your pre-pregnancy brassiere after birth and go "Funny.. they didn't look like that last time.."?

"How your breasts change during a pregnancy is related to genetics, skin elasticity and amount of weight gain. Avoidance of smoking and excessive sun exposure can help the skin to retain its elasticity.

Breastfeeding often gets blamed for the sagging of breasts. Actually, it is pregnancy and not nursing that affects the shape and size of your breasts. Breastfeeding and gradual weaning make it more likely that fat will be redeposited in your breasts, helping them to regain more of their pre-pregnancy appearance (Minchin, 1989). Pregnancy & Parenting

Usually by about six months after weaning, your breasts will have returned to more of their pre-pregnancy look. They also will feel more dense, as fatty tissue begins to fill them out again."

-- I have to disagree with the last two sentences. I breastfed, it was more than 6 months after I weaned off my first baby and my breasts still have not returned to their pre-pregnancy look --- I doubt if they ever will again.

Prevention

- Some say that wearing a properly fitted maternity bra will help as our body changes throughout the pregnancy.

- Prescription breast cream might help.

- Strengthening chest muscles so they can support enlarged breasts.

Treatment

-Chest exercises e.g. light weight lifting

-Herb supplement  to help firm the breasts e.g. shatavari, P. mirifica, Ashoka, Lodra and amalaki 

-Breast firming products e.g. pills, capsules, extracts, liquids are used for internal medication whereas creams, oils, gels, lotions and some specially made sprays help in firming the breasts.

- Massaging breasts with medicated herbal oil (Source: Ezine)

- There is however, a school of thought/study that says NOT wearing bras helps to decrease breasts sagging. Bras and Sagging.

- Of course, there's always plastic surgery e.g. breast augmentation.

Of the above, I've only tried exercises which helps a little although I guess it won't return the breasts to what they used to be. Therefore, meet my good friends, Wacoal and Xixili....

SPIDER AND VARICOSE VEINS

I saw a friend with dark spider veins all over her foot and varicose veins on her calves. So far, I've been spared from it although who knows if I were to carry on with more pregnancies. My own mother had a lot of varicose and spider veins. She recalled that sometimes it caused her excruciating pain.

Prevention

• Wear sunscreen to protect your skin from the sun and to limit spider veins on the face.
• Exercise regularly to improve your leg strength, circulation, and vein strength. Focus on exercises that work your legs, such as walking or running.
• Control your weight to avoid placing too much pressure on your legs.
• Don’t cross your legs for long times when sitting.
• Elevate your legs when resting as much as possible.
• Don’t stand or sit for long periods of time. If you must stand for a long time, shift your weight from one leg to the other every few minutes. If you must sit for long periods of time, stand up and move around or take a short walk every 30 minutes.
• Wear elastic support stockings and avoid tight clothing that constricts your waist, groin, or legs.
• Avoid wearing high heels for long periods of time. Lower-heeled shoes can help tone your calf muscles to help blood move through your veins.
• Eat a low-salt diet rich in high-fiber foods. Eating fiber reduces the chances of constipation, which can contribute to varicose veins. 

Treatment

- Compression stockings

- Sclerotherapy

- Surface Laser Treatments

- Endovenous Techniques (Radiofrequency and Laser)

- Surgery

- PIN stripping

- Ambulatory phlebectomy (Source: Varicose and Spider Veins, FAQ)

Okay, do you have any of the above 'battle scars'? Or others perhaps? If not, please tell us how you prevented it, or if you do, how you treated it e.g. what creams, herbal supplements, lotions..etc that actually helped you....

Carpe Diem, ladies!

Becky