Stretch Marks unless you are amazingly lucky are part and parcel of pregnancy, whether on your breasts, legs or tummy, these tracks in your skin usually appear. Many women grow to love them but if you are not one of them and want to know the How to get rid of stretch marks then read on.

So what are stretch marks exactly?

Stretch marks are a type of scar beneath the skin. When body shape changes, or skin is stretched in any way, there’s a possibility that the deeper layers of the skin may suffer damage. The deep layers of the skin are formed primarily by collagen and other connective tissue. When collagen is strained beyond its strength, it tears.

Because the layer of collagen cushions and pads the skin, and supports it, any tears in the collagen can be seen on the skin’s surface. These marks are frequently pink, purple or whitish in color and can be felt with the fingertips. These are stretch marks – also known to doctors as straie.

How to get rid of stretch marks?

Some say there is no way to completely get rid of stretch marks due to the nature of the damage but you can certainly make them invisible, which amounts to the same thing doesn’t it? Stretch marks can be treated by anything that stimulates healing in the deeper, collagen-based layers of the skin. Fortunately for women, dermatologists have spent much time and energy studying non-surgical techniques to get rid of stretch marks and heal the skin.

A large number of stretch mark creams are currently available over the counter . Many of them contain ingredients that are known to help remove stretch marks and heal the skin. Providing the best way to get rid of stretch marks without having to resort to surgery.

So how To get rid of stretch marks?? ……take a look at the following links

How to Get Rid of Stretch Marks Naturally
High Street Stretch Mark Creams

Specialist Stretch Mark Creams

Keeping fit and healthy during pregnancy is important, not just for your own sake and for your growing baby too. Pregnancy Health Yoga is a great way to keep you not just physically but also mentally healthy.

Both of which being important during the journey you are embarking upon. It helps you to remember what is important and keep your mind focused. The better shape your in the better you will be able to cope with labour and the quicker you will recover from from the birth.

If you are not familiar with Yoga and Pregnancy then a good place to start is with Tara Lee Pregnancy Health Yoga. Tara Lee offers 190 minutes of material. It offers many practices all working towards relaxing, strengthening and energising you. All these help prepare you for childbirth. Tara Lee Pregnancy Health Yoga is easy to follow and offers simple instructions making it a great choice for all levels.

Tara teaches a gentle yet dynamic form of pregnancy yoga. She aims to promote vitality during the pregnancy The strengthening postures build stamina for the labour and yoga stretches create space within the body for the growing baby helping the mother feel more comfortable.

The pregnancy health yoga with Tara Lee DVD  focus’ on preventing and dealing with common pregnancy related ailments such as heartburn, sciatica and S.P.D (Symphysis Pubis Dysfunction).

Included in Pregnancy Health Yoga is a guided visualisation by nationally recognised Obstetrician and creator of the ‘Gentle Birth Method’, Dr Gowri Motha.The Gentle Birth Method is a mind and body preparation programme followed by many famous mothers such as Gwyneth Paltrow, Stella McCartney and Elle Macpherson.

Being emotionally prepared for the labour and birth process is important and pregnancy health yoga tackles this too. It will help to dispell any old beliefs that labour is something to be feared. It will help any pregnant women feel empowered and confident.

Generally the practice of pregnancy yoga brings fresh oxygen to the mind, increasing serotonin levels and helps to flush the body of toxins. It is helped many women with easier births and a quicker recovery.

It is also recognised by doctors that the practice of pregnancy yoga

relaxation and visualisation (also outlined in the Gentle Birth Method) can help to combat post-natal depression and even if a woman does experience post- natal depression, it is less likely to be prolonged.

As you can see there are untold benefits from practicing this antient art, and if you would like to find discounted copies of Pregnancy Health Yoga with Tara Lee DVD or The Gentle Birth Method Book then click here.

All for Women

During both my pregnancies Yoga was an absolute godsend, it was the only way I was able to switch off, stop worrying and channel my thoughts in a positive way.  I started slowly at home, borrowed a few DVDs and books from a friend and had a go. I must admit, I felt a bit silly at first, sitting in my front room, but when I got into it the benefits were outstanding. I began to think more positively I felt healthier in mind and body.

So what is Pregnancy Yoga and how does it help with pregnancy and stress?

It is an ideal way to achieve a smooth pregnancy and give you the best chance of an easy labour. It consists of 4 main techniques.

1) Exercises and Stretches

These calmly work on the reproductive organs and pelvic areas to help ensure a smooth pregnancy and help towards an easy labour and birth.

2) Breathing (Pranayama)

These techniques increase the supply of oxygen bringing on an overwhelming sense of relaxation to encourage a better life you you and your unborn baby.

3) Meditation

Meditation can help  unwind and resolve the deepest neuroses, stresses, worries and conflicts. Meditation gives you a  fantastic sense of awareness that can really help you bond and connect with you baby which is quite hard to explain.

4) Deep Relaxation

This is extremely helpful during pregnancy and stress, in helping you relax mentally and physically as well as preparing you for the impending birth.

If you are suffering from a stressful pregnancy I can’t recommend Yoga enough. To find out where to start click here

Usually your first pregnancy will be more stressful than others. Because its all so very new, every tiny feeling and experience. I did worry …. and stress a lot during my second pregnancy but for different reasons and as I had my first little girl to look after I couldn’t let it get to me as much. My fears were more orientated around how we would cope with two young children, and how a new baby may affect the beautiful bond I had with my first little girl. Of course, everything was fine. Don’t get me wrong, it was hard, really difficult at times (still is) but you just manage because you have to. They need me and that’s that. I’ve just created a whole new bond with my youngest daughter and strenghtened the existing bond with my eldest. I worry about them all the time but I don’t think that will ever go away.

As mentioned before though, some stress and worry can actually be good. It shows you are aware of yourself and your body and it is part of our natural make-up. However, sometimes it really can get out of control and then action needs to be taken. So you just need to be aware of some of the warning signs.

If you have tried several things to take your mind off of your worries and you are still finding it difficult to think of anything else. If the worry and stress is causing you to become depressed or obsessed then a chat with your health care provider may be a good idea. Often when this happens someone close to you, either your partner, friend or mum is the first to point it out to you. For example if you are worrying about complications with the baby even though everything suggests all is normal and the worrying becomes an obsession.

If you are continually feeling deeply unhappy and these feelings don’t subside, or if you are unable to get out of bed, but not sleeping or eating properly then this really means that it is time to go and see your doctor.

If however you feel like this, don’t be alarmed you may just need some help to overcome your feelings and the you can go on to be an extremely happy loving mummy to your perfect baby.  But please do get the help you deserve if you need it.

It’s so hard isn’t it, when your friends and family all tell you not worry and to think positive. You just automatically do the opposite. Its like an inbuilt instinct that we all have, especially the manic worriers amongst us, like me for instance!

I just found it so hard not to worry and the more I did the more I was stressed. As I’m sure you know pregnancy sends your hormones and feelings into turmoil and you become very irrational at times. I think most pregnant women worry at some point, it really is only natural. I hate to say it but pregnancy is only the start of it, when your baby arrives………. but thats a whole other blog!

So what is causing you to worry?

Well that probably depends on where you are in your pregnancy. The first few months are spent frightened about bleeding and the possibility of miscarrying. It was for me anyway. I went to the loo about hundred times a day just to check there wasn’t any blood. It just got rediculous but I couldn’t help it. I felt like

Every little pain I felt freaked me out, as I thought it was the start of me losing my baby, usually it was just wind!!

Once you’re further into your pregnancy you may get stressed over a whole array of things. How you’ll cope, what sort of mother will you be, if you’ll have enough money or how you’ll relationship with your partner will change or cope?

The last few months, reasons for stress may include caring for your new baby and of course the impending birth.

The thing is, these are valid subjects to think about and consider. The problems occur when you can’t overcome your thoughts and you become stressed for a prolonged period of time during your pregnancy. Also if you become severely anxious or effected by panic attacks during pregnancy strong steps need to be taken to overcome this. You can find some further information and help on overcoming panic attacks and anxiety while pregnant here.

So these reasons for your worries aren’t going to go away however much you try, but dealing with them and then looking after yourself is definitely the best way to cope. Personally the thing that help me the most was finding a way to relax and channel my thoughts in a positive way. A friend introduced me to Yoga and Meditation, and that is one of the ways which helped me distress during my pregnancies. For some further information on Yoga and Meditation see here

If you really can’t clear your mind before you begin to relax, buy a notebook, keep it with you and everytime you begin to stress out write down what its about. It sounds silly but it really works. Give it a go……Good Luck!!

Short term stress during pregnancy isn’t likely to cause you or your baby any harm at all providing you take action and do what you can to reduce your anxiety. You need to ensure you create the best environment possible for your growing baby and a healthy pregnancy.

Although it is difficult not to stress and worry about your pregnancy and impending birth, you need to work towards not letting these worries get out of control.

5 simple steps to start you off:

• Exercise: - It’s a great way to take your mind off things and also a fantastic way towards a healthy pregnancy. Surprisingly it can even help with your pregnancy fatigue. Regular gentle exercise will not only take your mind off what pregnancy worries are bothering you, but also will help unwind muscle tension that may have built up during the day. Aqua-natal classes are perfect, I found this an incredible help. Also there are pregnancy Pilates and Yoga classes which are brilliant for fitness and relaxation.

• Sleep:- It is imperative to a heal anything, especially stressed out minds. Make sure you get enough rest and sleep. Things won’t seem half as dramatic if you are well rested, It’s true what they say things never seem as bad in the morning. So try not to spend hours awake worrying at night. Easy said than done I know. (There will be some more tips on sleep and rest shortly)

• Share your Worries : - A very simple thing which can really ease the load weighing down your mind. Talk about what is bothering you however silly and irrational it sounds. You’re pregnant and your hormones are all over the place, you’ll be forgiven for sounding irrational I promise. Talk to you partner, mum, friends or health care provider. They’ll probably tell you not to worry but just talking about these things can help wonders.

• Eat Well: - A healthy diet is very important during pregnancy for you and your baby. Lots of fresh fruit and vegetables and well balanced meals are definitely a good ideal for a healthy pregnancy. It is also is good for the mind too knowing you are doing what you can to ensure your baby is also “eating healthy”.

• Treat yourself:- It’s amazing what a little pampering can do to put you in a more positive frame of mind. Whatever you like. I had a few fantastic pregnancy massages which literally had me floating. They were incredible. Choose what you like, whether it’s a pedicure, manicure or facial, just as long as it’s just for you.

So you’ve bought the test, weed on the stick and desperately waiting to see if there is one blue line or two, hoping for one result or the other! Then BAM!!! It hits you! TWO blue lines just what you wanted…. right?? Its so exciting, so amazing you feel on top of the world because …. your pregnant, yes that’s right your pregnant it doesn’t get much better, until it dawns on you and you think for a second and realise “I’m going to have a baby” Oh god, what have I done?!?

The next few days, weeks, months are filled with all sorts of things to worry about, what if this happens what if that happens you can’t even think of anything else. People are starting to ask if your alright because “you don’t seem your normal self” and you of course you say your fine, just a bit tired or had a dodgy curry, what ever to get them off your case. When really you just want to shout “ No….No i’m not alright, I’m pregnant and stressed.

This was what it was like for me anyway. Finding out both times I was pregnant was the same. The most amazing, exciting, scary, and stressful time. The stupid thing was there was nothing to worry about and all the things that were making me stress in pregnancy were things that were beyond my control anyway.

Pregnancy is such an overwhelming experience both in body and mind that I’m sure most women would feel some level of stress during their pregnancy. It’s only natural. Stress is not such an awful thing in some ways. It makes us work harder and keeps our responses at the surface. However prolonged stress levels are not good for you or your growing baby. There is very little conclusive evidence suggesting the dangers of stress to your baby, but what you should know is that prolonged stress can raise your blood pressure, increase your heart rate and muscle tension and none of these symptoms will be beneficial to you or your child. These problems during pregnancy could increase your chance of delivering a low birth weight baby, or a preterm baby. So you need to work  hard at reducing your pregnancy stress.

Still if you are anything like me know that will just increase your pregnancy worries.

I wouldn’t say I ever stopped my stress during pregnancy, but I did learn how to deal with it so it wasn’t so over whelming it took my breathe away with every thought.

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