Pregnancy? Look After Your Bump
Colief Mum To Be Moisturising Cream
Congratulations! Whether it’s your first or your third pregnancy nothing else can compare. It’s now more important to look after your skin than at any other time. Just think – your skin must stretch on average an extra two square feet during pregnancy and then bring itself back to normal in just a few short months! So, whilst your body is working hard to give your baby everything it needs remember to take care of you too – especially your skin. Here’s where Colief Mum To Be Moisturising Cream can help. It’s a blend of rich plant oils and essential vitamins developed especially to nourish and care for your skin as your bump grows, and then later support your body as it recovers.
Nourish and Protect Your Tummy
Stretch marks are natural and common but no woman wants them! They are caused by collagen tearing below the skin. Older skin loses its elasticity and makes stretch marks more likely. Stretch marks will eventually fade from pink to a (slightly more subtle) silver. Gradual weight gain (and loss) can limit the appearance of stretch marks. Using a soap-free cleanser during pregnancy can help stop the skin from drying out. Massaging Colief Mum To Be Moisturising Cream, into your breasts, tummy, thighs, hips and bottom 2-3 times a day will help keep your skin strong, smooth and supple through your entire pregnancy journey. During pregnancy, and in the first months following the birth of your baby, your hormone levels change dramatically, and your body creates an extra 3 litres of blood. Naturally, these changes have an enormous effect on your skin.
Here are just a few reasons why it’s never too early to start experiencing the benefits of Colief Mum To Be Moisturising Cream:
Pregnancy hormones (oestrogen and progesterone) flood your body from the moment of conception.
Your breasts will start to swell and become more sensitive due to higher levels of oestrogen.
Increased progesterone levels may cause the skin to become more oily or drier, but once your baby is born, your skin should return to its pre-pregnancy condition.
Your tummy will start to swell and the waist thickens as the baby starts to grow.
Stretch marks are very common and affect between 75-90 per cent of pregnant women.
Thin reddish or brownish lines start to appear on the stomach, thighs and breast area as the skin stretches. Massaging the skin with Colief Mum To Be can help prevent or reduce stretch marks developing at this stage.
Blood flow increases significantly during pregnancy – up to 40% by week 20. This increase in blood flow, can lead to some women developing spidery red lines (expanded small blood vessels) on their legs and upper chest but don’t worry, these usually fade after birth
The fetus increases its weight 30 times!
It is common for some women to develop rashes or patches of dry, flaky and itchy skin. If this occurs, try using Calamine lotion to help reduce the itching
Oestrogen stimulates melanocyte cells to produce the pigment that darkens skin, know as Chloasma (the ‘mask of pregnancy’). Sunlight can make the patches darker, so it’s important to wear a daily SPF moisturiser. These will fade after the baby is born
The Linea Nigra (dark vertical line) appears down the middle on most tummies as your baby grows. It is caused by skin pigmentation marking the point where your tummy muscles stretch and separate. After giving birth, this line will fade
It’s definitely not all bad news though, during the last five weeks of the trimester your skin can ‘bloom’ thanks to the extra flow of blood and hormones. Your skin will plump out, helping smooth out wrinkles and you will look more radiant due to blood circulation
Your stomach rapidly expands to accommodate your growing baby
Your circulation surges which mean fingers, ankles and feet can become swollen
Varicose veins (dilated veins resting just under the skin’s surface) are common and can cause discomfort. Moving your legs every half an hour or taking gentle exercise will help increase circulation and may help reduce symptoms
You feel the heat; sweat more; your palms and soles turn red
By your due date, your skin will have stretched on average an extra 2 square feet!!
The hormone oxytocin starts to shrink your uterus back to its pre-pregnancy size
Your breasts become swollen, hard, and sore as they fill with milk
If you had a natural delivery, you can begin gentle stomach exercises in the first few weeks after the birth to help start toning and getting back into your pre-pregnancy shape
After a caesarean section, it is advisable to wait until after the six-week check-up before exercising
Labour stretches the pelvic muscles a lot – pelvic squeezes are vital to tighten the muscles
Feed Your Skin
Colief Mum To Be Moisturising Cream is a creamy blend of nourishing fruit, nut and seed oils boosted with powerful vitamins to feed your skin from the outside in. Eating a healthy, balanced diet that contains essential fatty acids (EFAs), vitamins and minerals will also help to keep your skin strong and supple during pregnancy and on your body’s road to recovery. Here are three good pregnancy diet rules to follow:
- Eat little and often
- Take your time when you eat
- Sip water throughout the day
In addition, try adding these wonder ingredients to your diet to help maintain beautiful, supple skin:
Colief Mum To Be is packed full of pro-vitamin B5 because B vitamins are fantastic for your skin. They are also very good at balancing your hormones and boosting energy levels.
The following food is also rich in B Vitamins: Broccoli, eggs, tomatoes, watercress, bananas, nuts and seeds, salmon, chicken and cabbage
Vitamin C is often found in skincare products because it supports your body’s collagen production and is a great antioxidant terrific for blocking the daily damage caused by free radicals. It also boosts your immune system to keep you in overall good health during pregnancy.
Try: Fresh strawberries, oranges, tomatoes, broccoli, peppers, kiwi, grapefruits and lemon juice
Calcium is a key mineral during pregnancy and to absorb it your body needs vitamin D (which is produced naturally from being out in the fresh air and sunshine) and magnesium. Calcium is good for you and your baby’s teeth, bones and skin.
Try: Hard cheese, yogurt, broccoli, watercress, cabbage or dried prunes
Unlike calcium, a macro-mineral that your body needs in large amounts, zinc is a trace mineral. Although the quantities you need are much smaller, zinc still plays a very important role in healthy cell metabolism, wound healing and in supporting your baby’s development.
Try: Beef, turkey, wholewheat bread, almonds, split peas, fortified breakfast cereals and eggs
Essential Fatty Acids (EFAs) have to be provided by your diet as your body can’t make them on its own. Vital to maintaining the health of all your cells, these will not only help to give you great skin but boost you and your baby’s brain power at the same time!
For Omega 3 try: Salmon, mackerel, sardines (only 1 portion of oily fish a week during pregnancy), green leafy vegetables and pumpkin seeds
For Omega 6 try: Sesame seeds, olive oil, nuts and seeds and soya beans
It can be hard to maintain an ideal diet all the time. And if your diet is restricted – if you are vegetarian, vegan or have a dairy intolerance for example – then dietary supplements are useful to ensure you and your baby still get what you need.
Always take a supplement designed especially for pregnancy and check that it contains 400mcg folic acid and about 25mcg iron. It should not have more than 3000mcg of vitamin A.
It’s also a very good idea to take an essential fatty acid supplement. Again, make sure it’s suitable for pregnancy and not high in vitamin A. With all supplements always follow packet instructions carefully.
Mums know best
Arguably, there’s no better way to learn a lesson than through experience. Here are some words of wisdom the Mums at Colief wanted to share:
Whilst You’re Pregnant
- Maintain a healthy weight during pregnancy. When they say ‘you’re eating for two’ remember only one of you is adult-sized!’
- ‘Give yourself a break. Rest when you need to – no ifs, ands or buts’
- ‘Keep active for as long as you can. Staying mobile does your body, mind and spirit tons of good.’
- ‘How you feel is important. Write any concerns or questions down and speak to your local GP about them.’
- ‘Don’t put pressure on yourself to have everything ‘perfect’ for the baby’s arrival. All your baby needs is you – everything else can be found as and when.’
After The Birth
- Having a baby changes your life – no exceptions’
- ‘Make catnaps your new best friend. Housework can wait.’
- ‘Don’t rush to fit back into your ‘normal’ clothes. Going on a strict diet will leave you lifeless, slow your recovery and cause stretch marks.’
- ‘Always ask for help when you need it.’
- ‘Make time for yourself every day. Take a shower and enjoy looking after your skin with Colief Mum To Be (your baby can always sit in the bathroom with you).’
If you have a top tip for mums we’d like to hear it. Email us on info@dev.catmedia.space