Stretch marks are very common during pregnancy – often the result of rapid weight loss or gain and pregnancy hormones like progesterone. There’s no telling if you’ll get them; some woman do and others don’t.

There are a few factors that determine if someone will develop stretch marks or not during pregnancy. A lot depends on hereditary, so chances are that if your mother had them, then most likely you will too. Darker skinned women are also more prone to visible stretch marks than lighter skinned women. Your skin’s elasticity has something to do with it, as well as nutrition and diet – an unhealthy diet high in processed food has been linked to contributing to stretch marks.

To prevent stretch marks, I suggest my clients start way before they are pregnant by eating a healthy whole food diet. Women should make sure to stay well hydrated by drinking plenty of water ( I am a huge fan of coconut water).

I also recommend a diet rich with plenty of good fatty acids. These include: such as fish oil, olive oil, coconut oil, canola oil, hemp seed oil, hemp seeds, flax seed oil, flax seeds, sesame seeds, pumpkin seeds, walnuts, sun flower seeds, buckwheat, almonds and nut butters, lentils, split peas, wheat germ, salmon, cod, avocados, kale, spinach, collard greens and winter squash. Even before they are pregnant, I give clients my Belly Butter to prepare and nourish the skin. If possible, I  always suggest starting to prepare your body a few months before you start trying to conceive. I have a special blend I make for my clients but below is a great and effective recipe for belly butter that you can make for yourself at home.

Breggy’s Belly Butter 

Supplies

• 1 jar of organic coconut oil
• 1 container of organic cocoa butter
• 1 container of organic Shea butter
• 1 small bottle of 400 IU of Vitamin E

Directions

Keeping them inside their separate containers, place all the ingredients (except the Vitamin E) in a pot of boiling water to soften and melt. Note – the cocoa butter takes FOREVER to melt.

Once they are all melted, pour into a large bowl. Mix together and add the Vitamin E.

Put in a glass container and store in a cool place. If you have extra, you can store it in the refrigerator. Use sparingly on belly, breasts, hips and buttocks.

We live in such a fast paced world… Pregnancy is such a miraculous time and so many women these days don’t take the time to connect with their bodies and babies. You can use the time you take to rub your belly butter on yourself to stop and connect with your growing baby.

When applying simply close your eyes, place your hands on your belly and begin to rub the belly butter all around while feeling your belly and your baby inside, you can talk to them or just simply send them loving feelings. It has been proven that babies in the womb sense and feel everything; your voice carries energy as well as your thoughts.

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