Pregnancy is a time of change-suddenly, everything you've ever known about your complexion is different. From stretch marks to acne, your skin reflects the big transformation that's occurring in your body. While not every woman will experience all of these skin changes during pregnancy, here are a few things you might notice.
Stretch Marks
Around half of all pregnant women get stretch marks, so if you have them, you're in good company. Also known as striae gravidarum, stretch marks are scars that appear when the elastic fibers in the skin are damaged. Your susceptibility to stretch marks is largely controlled by genetics, so if your mother or sister have them, there's a good chance you will develop them too.
Stretch marks start out as pink, purple or reddish-brown streaks, depending on your skin tone. In most cases, stretch marks fade away gradually after birth to become a less noticeable silvery color. Older stretch marks can also be depressed or atrophic, meaning that they dent into the surrounding skin.
Women who gain a lot of weight during pregnancy or are carrying multiples are more likely to get stretch marks but even if you're having a small baby, you could still get them if they run in your family.
