3 effective Belly Care Ideas During Pregnancy

I rarely see someone with a perfectly smooth belly by the time they give birth. Stretches will appear no matter what, the difference is just the number and depth of the lines. I also developed some during my third trimester, but they were subtle and kept within my acceptable range. After all, I did a lot of research from the beginning.

Stretch marks are mainly related to weight gain during pregnancy, skin care and personal physique. We cannot change our physique, so we should work hard on weight management and skin care.

1. Weight management during pregnancy

1. Diet

① Eat smaller, more frequent meals: While keeping your total food intake constant, split your three meals into six. Increase the proportion of whole grains in your staple food, and add sweet potatoes, purple sweet potatoes, buckwheat, etc. when cooking rice.

② Eat less staple food when having snacks. Prefer the following: sugar-free yogurt, whole-grain biscuits, whole-wheat bread or a small amount of nuts (walnuts, cashews, pine nuts).

③ Eat more low-sugar fruits: apples, blueberries, strawberries, cherry tomatoes, etc., with a total amount not exceeding 500 grams per day.

④ Ensure the intake of high-quality protein: milk, eggs, fish, shrimp, beef, etc.

⑤ Pay special attention to calcium supplementation in the late pregnancy. You can drink milk or take calcium tablets directly.

2. Sports

① Rest for 10 minutes after dinner, then take a 30-minute walk, and do this every day.

② Follow a prenatal exercise routine. My favorite is Casey Smith ‘s. It’s 53 minutes long and not very strenuous, making it suitable for all expectant mothers. I usually follow it for 20-30 minutes beforehand. The movements are simple and fun, not boring, and easy to stick with. I highly recommend it.

2. Skin care, Belly Care (the most important thing is to apply oil)

1. Choose the corresponding pregnancy oil at different stages

① Early pregnancy (pink fine lines appear)

At this stage, the skin becomes dry and loses elasticity. It is recommended to choose a care oil rich in moisturizing and skin elasticity-enhancing ingredients. Preferred ingredients include jojoba seed oil , marula oil or white meadowfoam seed oil , which can deeply moisturize the skin and prevent the formation of early wrinkles.

②Mid-term pregnancy (the lines darken to red)

Many expectant mothers experience dry and itchy skin during this time. Besides basic moisturizing, soothing and anti-itching ingredients are also needed. Products containing bisabolol , camellia seed oil , and chamomile are recommended ; these natural ingredients can effectively alleviate discomfort.

③ Late pregnancy (lines turn purple-brown)

In the third trimester, the skin’s elastic fibers are more damaged and the lines become more distinct. During this stage, you should choose ingredients that can repair elasticity, such as Centella asiatica , Gentiana root , and Purslane extract , which can help the skin regain its elasticity.

2. Ingredients to avoid with caution

①Irritating ingredients such as salicylic acid, hydroquinone and retinol.

② Allergenic ingredients, such as cetearyl alcohol.

③Preservative ingredients, such as paraben, methylisothiazolinone, etc.

3. Correct way to use pregnancy oil

The best time to use is after a shower, when your skin is still slightly damp. Pour a suitable amount of oil into your palms and rub it to warm it up. Then apply it evenly to the areas prone to wrinkles and massage gently until absorbed. The specific massage technique is as follows:

① Abdomen: Apply gently from bottom to top.

②Chest: Massage in circles from the armpit towards the clavicle.

③Waist: Apply from both sides toward the middle of the navel.

④Buttocks: Massage from bottom to top, from inside to outside.

⑤Back: Massage outwards with the spine as the center.

⑥ Thighs: Massage from inside to outside.