The future mother will have a great many reasons for a bad mood, when it comes to health and appearance. And they often wonder how to put themselves in order after pregnancy. But before you compose an ode to a young youth and beauty, it is important to remember that many changes in appearance after delivery are temporary. In addition, at your disposal there is a powerful arsenal of preventive drugs that will allow you to keep your spirits, smooth skin and well-being even in this difficult period. We will tell you what to do to make pregnancy, having miraculously transformed your soul, did not leave "scars" on your body during pregnancy and after childbirth.
Dark spots.
Uneven pigmentation (melasma or chloasma) in the face and - rarely - the neck is often called the "Mask of Pregnancy." An important role in the development of melasma is played by the state of the hormonal background, genetic predisposition, exposure to sunlight. It threatens 65-75% of pregnant women, usually starting from the 12th week, and the risk of its appearance remains up to 2-3 months after childbirth. At the heart of the development of melasma in pregnancy is a physiological increase in the level of estrogen and progesterone. It symmetrically affects the skin of the neck and the central part of the face.
Remember that it is easier to prevent chloasma than to cure it. For prevention, protect your face with sunscreen with an SPF index of at least 30, even in winter. It is possible to get rid of already appeared spots after pregnancy only with clarifying serums and creams. It is not necessary to resort to clarifying procedures and serious peelings in the beauty salon during gestation: in pregnant women, the skin is very sensitive.
Stretching.
Stretch marks, they are striae, are the most common problem of pregnancy. The mechanism of their appearance is reminiscent of the process that occurs with aging of the skin. But with hormonal changes, striae, in contrast to age-related changes, appear much faster. For example, with the physiological hyperfunctions of the adrenal glands during pregnancy. Especially the risk of striae in young women is great. Future moms should know that the causes of stretch marks are not in excessive stretching of the abdominal skin, but in the disorders of its structure caused by hormonal fluctuations. Therefore, gymnastics and moisturizers will not be enough. In your arsenal should be drugs that stimulate the production of structural fibers of collagen and elastin. Special gels from stretch marks, intended for use during and after pregnancy and lactation, are applied 1-2 times a day to problem areas: the lower abdomen, chest, hips. To begin it is necessary not later than the term in 12 weeks and to continue until the end of lactation (or at least up to three months after birth). This will also be a good prevention of breast sagging, which often happens after the baby stops feeding.
Acne rashes.
Signs of acne (comedones, papules and pustules) may appear in the second trimester of pregnancy. The reason - in the violation of the balance of testosterone levels: its relative concentration varies. The only thing that a pregnant woman can afford in this case is medical cosmetics. This is a cleansing procedure, as well as a cream with antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effect. About serious radical procedures for a while will have to be forgotten before delivery.
Phlebeurysm.
The cause of this ailment is stagnation in the pelvic region and a violation of normal venous outflow. With an increase in the blood volume y of the pregnant women by one and a half times, all the vessels experience an additional load. The same causes cause and vascular asterisks on the face. All these processes are typical for the second trimester of pregnancy. But if prior to pregnancy you took care of strengthening the muscular wall of the vessels - doing massage, taking a contrast shower, doing fitness, eating properly, then this problem is unlikely to affect you. Therefore, the first thing to do for the prevention of varicose veins is to change the way of life. For example, to refuse long walks, to study the technique of self-massage, to accustom yourself to wearing compression linen. Together with a gynecologist, you can pick up vein-toning creams for the feet. But to take special pills that strengthen the walls of blood vessels is inappropriate - their effect on the fetus is poorly understood.
To effectively confront the vascular asterisks on the face and put yourself in order, it is necessary to use creams with isoflavonoids. These substances are able to control the synthesis of estrogen and have antioxidant properties. These include, for example, the extract of ginkgo biloba. It reduces the influx of blood and helps strengthen the walls of blood vessels.
Problems with hair.
During pregnancy, the process of physiological loss slows down and the volume of hair gradually increases. All pregnant women, with rare exceptions, a luxurious hairstyle! Actively drop out the hair begin after pregnancy - immediately after birth. If a day drops to 80 hair - this is an occasion to conduct a powerful prophylaxis, if more - immediately take measures to treat baldness.
Dry hair during pregnancy, and even more so the appearance of split hair - a sign of problems with the thyroid gland. Or is it an indicator of eating disorders. It can be caused by a lack of polyunsaturated fatty acids, proteins, minerals and some vitamins. So, urgent consultation of the endocrinologist is necessary.
Sometimes in the second trimester on the scalp increases sebum and hair becomes fat. Then urgently need shampoos for oily scalp. Well, if the hair is still dry, then after washing carefully apply balms, masks or creams on them, without touching the scalp.
Cellulite.
Responsibility for the appearance or exacerbation of the manifestations of the already existing cellulite again bear hormones. Most suffer from the shoulders, hips and buttocks. Brighter all the cellulite manifests itself in the lactation period. And especially noticeable in women who gained excess weight.
To put yourself in order, use the anti-cellulite program. It should be based on three whales: a rational diet (however, avoid a strict diet), feasible exercise (especially water sports) and external means with decongestants and skin firming properties. However, hardware techniques should be completely eliminated. You can do massage and visit the sauna or sauna, if there is no threat of interruption and other contraindications.
Tooth decay and fragility of nails.
To develop the skeleton of a future child, many minerals, including calcium, will be needed. If his food is not enough, he will be washed out of the strategic reserves of the future mother. The first to suffer hair and nails. Therefore, the daily intake of calcium in a future mother should be at least twice as large (about 2 grams per day). Preference is given to defatted calcium products, as fats complicate the absorption of calcium. We should not forget about the support group, without which calcium is simply not digested: it is magnesium, boron, vitamins D, B, C, K and folic acid. All these components in the right amounts are contained in vitamin-mineral complexes for pregnant women.
Dehydration of the skin.
In addition to hormones, an important role here is played by the restriction of drinking regimen, which many doctors prescribe for future mothers in order to avoid possible edema. Dryness can provoke skin peeling. Do not try to remove it with a scrub - this can lead to the opposite effect. Suitable cream for very dry skin, for example, designed for babies with atopic dermatitis. Sometimes a gel for the prevention of stretch marks can become an additional source of dryness. In this case, over the gel after 10-15 minutes, it is recommended to apply a cream or milk, preferably the same brand.
Excess weight gain.
If there is an increase in weight during pregnancy, then the concept of the norm in this case is rather conditional. Individually, it can be calculated from the formulas for determining the body mass index (BMI): the weight in kilograms is divided by the height in meters in the square. With a BMI of less than 19.8 can be added in weight from 12.5 to 18 kilograms. If the BMI from 19.8 to 26 is allowed to gain from 11.5 to 16.5 extra pounds. And if the BMI is more than 26, you can add 7-11 kilos. If there are no health problems, all the kilograms over it are the result of overeating. During pregnancy, the number of calories, of course, should be increased. Plus 100 kcal per day in the first 3 months and plus 300 in the next six. That is, the average daily requirement is about 2400-2600 kcal.
Putting yourself in order after pregnancy, you will significantly increase your self-esteem and get rid of postpartum depression, looking at yourself in the mirror. Thoughts about appearance should not overshadow the joy of motherhood. However, in order for the rehabilitation process to pass quickly and painlessly, during pregnancy it is necessary to watch for yourself. To do this, make a plan for a new life .
In the first trimester:
- For skin care, choose the products recommended for pregnancy and lactation.
- Buy moisturizers with vitamins C and E.
- Choose together with your doctor the vitamin and mineral complex that suits you.
- Buy comfortable shoes. It will protect the veins and muscles from improper load distribution.
In the second trimester:
- Buy compression stockings (prevention of varicose veins) and a bra for pregnant and lactating women (it eliminates excessive breast sensitivity).
- The stronger immunity, the less "side effects" of pregnancy will appear.
- Rest more often in "inverted poses", that is, put your feet on 2-3 pillows above your head. So the displaced organs of the small pelvis will return to their original position.
In the third trimester:
- Keep a close eye on the weight. In a week you can afford to add an average of half a kilo.
- Take 30 minutes a day at least walking. Choose an antenatal bandage - it will ease the last weeks before childbirth and will become a good prevention of the appearance of stretch marks.
- Care for the breast: multivitamin oil to prepare the nipples of the breast for feeding the baby will increase their elasticity and elasticity.