My top 3 products to prevent stretch marks

I’ve heard numerous time during this pregnancy that stretch marks are inevitable during & after pregnancy… and truthfully I’m totally okay with them.

Honestly, I feel like after everything I have been through for this baby they would be like a badge of honor. My body is doing incredible things on the daily - I mean I’m literally growing a human?!? How cool!

So this blog is in no way bashing stretch marks. I’m simply providing tools and options to help prevent stretch marks and keep your skin hydrated and glowing before, during and after pregnancy!

Many belly oils and lotions contain toxic chemicals, and ingredients that can be harmful to you or baby. In the first trimester it is especially important to know what is in your products, as some “clean” products contain ingredients that can cause uterine contractions.

Here are the 3 non-toxic clean products I have been using this pregnancy.

Honest Co. Glow on Body Oil

My favorite belly oil I’ve tried! It’s clean non-toxic ingredients make me feel like I’m keeping baby safe, and it’s lux hydrating formula keeps my skin hydrated for hours!

Summer Friday’s

This lux balm feel amazing on my bump, and does not leave a greasy residue on my clothes. IYKYK

It is the most expensive balm/oil on my list, but I do feel the price is justified. Definitely worth trying!

Everyone Body Lotion

This is my favorite body lotion, and I literally buy it in bulk! I used this pre-pregnancy and I can’t get enough of it now. They even make one for babies, which we will be using for baby boy once he arrives. Super clean, no-toxic body lotion that won’t break the bank.

I’d love to know what your favorite products are to prevent stretch marks! Comment below and let me know.

• Transparency: this post contains affiliate links, if you do purchase through the link I will make a small commission from the sale.

• This blog post is in no way sponsored by or affiliated with any of the above companies.
  

Dealing with body image & weight gain during pregnancy

Pregnancy is such a beautiful time, we literally have the ability to create life. How incredible!! However, for many women this beautiful time is over shadowed with past traumas, body image issues, mental health concerns, and so much more.

Many mama’s-to-be become overwhelmed with comments and suggestions from others. It seems that once you begin showing everyone will have something to say or some wisdom to impart on your and your growing bump. Legit everyone from the lady behind you are Whole Foods to your 2nd cousin will want to share how awful their delivery was to how you life will never be same. While many of these comments and conversations come from a loving place they may not be appropriate or helpful for the new mama. 

Sometimes in our society we transfer our feelings or our personal experiences onto others as a way to connect with them, help them to not go through what we went through or to try and “save” them. Instead a healthier approach would be to allow the new mama to have her own experience, and if/when she reaches out with questions then kindly share your wisdom and insight. 

Pregnancy is such a journey and a bit of kindness and empathy can go a long way.

I am now six and a half+ months pregnant and have been talking to some new mamas and some pregnant mamas recently about our journey’s, and thought it was an important conversation to share on here because it’s not that is often discussed publicly. After all, we don’t always realize how our actions or words affect others until we pause and educate ourselves. 

Personally have received all sorts of comments about my body and my growing belly in the last six months. I know that many of these comments come from a place of love and curiosity but to a pregnant mama, whose body is changing on the daily these comments can be confusing and hurtful. During pregnancy our bodies are flooded with hormones, emotions, a growing baby, not to mention your blood volume increases by 50% and our lung capacity seriously decreases - we are trying to recognize and love this changing body on the daily as we move through and towards the biggest transition of our lives. 

Every body - and especially every pregnant body - is beautiful. Every body is unique and different and that truly is something that makes us all so special, and during pregnancy this is no different. Each pregnant bump looks different. Some women gain 50+ pounds, and some only gain 25 pounds. Life is so much more than a number on the scale. 

From what I’ve heard our bodies will “never be the same”…and I’m totally okay with that. I will never be the same after this experience, so why should I expect my body to be any different. This is the most powerful, most life changing experience I have ever been through…and I am here for all of it.

The most important thing is that the mama and baby are healthy - mentally, physically and emotionally. 

Let’s embrace and honor this change.

Let’s praise and honor these women that literally create human life.

Photo By Jontel Chere