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Journalism of Courage
Debina Bonnerjee, who loves hosting question-and-answer sessions on Instagram with new mothers and mothers-to-be, recently opened up about the various aspects of her own journey to motherhood. Answering a question, the mother-of-two shared that while it is important to embrace bodily changes like weight, it is equally important to be prepared for stretch marks, which is an extremely normal part of one’s pregnancy journey.
On being asked if she got stretch marks too, Debina wrote: “Yes, got a few…But not worried…they remind me that my body has stretched its limit and done what it has done.”
She went on to share the remedy, saying that applying oil or moisturiser, daily twice a day, religiously will do the trick. “Don’t wait for the stomach to come out to follow the ritual,” she continued.
She, however, added that even after that, one might get stretch marks, and wrote: “Don’t worry…accept it as a mark of a beautiful journey that so many others want to experience.”
Answering more questions about her post-partum body, the actor also opened about “difficult weight loss, especially after c-section”. “I tried various things…light weights to freehand to currently yoga. Yoga is working for me …” she shared.
She continued, “Postpartum moms will understand…it takes the willingness of steel to reframe your mind to workout again…the stamina is gone and the body has changed…and then the baby demands…”
If you, too, are worried about stretch marks, here’s what you need to understand.
Striae gravidarum is the scientific name for stretch marks that appear during pregnancy. “These can cause emotional and psychological distress for many women,” said Dr Vandana Punjabi, consultant dermatologist and trichologist practising in Khar and Nanavati Max Superspeciality Hospital.
According to Dr Punjabi, these marks start as purple-red lines (called striae rubra) which, over months and years, lose their colour and become white and atrophic (scar-like), called striae alba.
“Stretch marks happen when elastin and collagen fibres in the middle layer of skin (dermis) become stretched and broken in places. They can start appearing as early as 24 weeks of pregnancy but are usually seen between the sixth to sevent month of pregnancy,” added Dr Punjabi.
What are the risk factors?
Dr Punjabi noted:
*You are more likely to get stretch marks if your weight gain is more than average in pregnancy. Most women gain about 10 to 12.5 kg and usually, sudden and excessive weight gain (more than 10-12 kgs) causes stretch marks on the tummy and sometimes breasts, thighs, and buttocks as the pregnancy advances.
*Studies have shown that women who developed these were significantly younger (less than 30 years of age) and had gained significantly more weight during pregnancy (more than 12 kgs) compared to those who did not.
*Also hormonal changes in pregnancy can affect your skin and make you more likely to get stretch marks.
*Genetic susceptibility plays a key role (e.g. a woman is more likely to get stretch marks if her mother or sister had developed them during pregnancy).
Treatment and prevention
Some creams, lotions, and moisturisers claim to remove stretch marks, but there is no reliable evidence that they work, said Dr Punjabi, adding that there is also limited evidence about whether oils or creams help prevent stretch marks from appearing in the first place.
“Some studies have shown that creams containing Centella Asiatica extract may reduce the intensity and severity of stretch marks, but these were started as early as 12 weeks of pregnancy until delivery. You can consult a dermatologist for the most effective treatment for the stretch marks in the form of creams, lasers, and micro-needling radiofrequency but these should be started only after delivery,” Dr Punjabi said.
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