One of the things that pregnant women are worried about when it comes to the changes that their bodies undergo is stretch marks. Stretch marks are formed when the skin is stretched beyond its elasticity. Although there is no 100% “cure” for stretch marks, except for expensive and time-consuming medical procedures, you can try to alleviate the stretching by making your skin more elastic and supple.

Moisturize your skin with creams and oils. Many women swear by cocoa butter. These moisturizing agents can be bought very inexpensively in drugstores and cosmetic counters. So don’t skimp on them.

Eat foods that are good for the skin, such as those rich in vitamins A, C, and E, such as fruits and vegetables. Drink plenty of water and it moisturizes the skin naturally from within. Caffeine, smoking, and alcohol cause dehydration among other things so better to keep away from them.

Do simple exercises. This will help the blood circulate well through your body. It will also help making your skin more flexible. Massage your skin gently. You can also have your partner do it for you. Combining massages with moisturizing oils is even better.

Continue to do this even after you’ve given birth. If you developed stretch marks, these steps would help make them fade away faster.