Question: I am near the end of my pregnancy and worry about dating after. I can see these ugly red stretch marks popping out all over my stomach and hips. I am only 22! How can this be happening and what can I do about it?!? I am embarrassed at the idea of anyone seeing my body again. Help!

Answer: First of all, you might want to take a step back from dating and just worry about you for a little while. Having a baby takes a toll on women physically and emotionally. Relationships place added demands and stresses on a person’s life. Sometimes, simpler is better… Take the time to figure out what you want out of life.

As for your stretch marks, in the later months of pregnancy, weight can come on rapidly. That, with the additional hormonal changes, can bring on stretch marks in all the worst places: the stomach, hips and thighs. Don’t freak out and think your life is over, because there are solutions!

More expensive alternatives include laser therapy and microdermabrasion. These procedures are supposed to remove damaged skin, seal up burst blood vessels, and improve the elasticity of the dermal layer. They require multiple sessions and can cost upwards of $1,600 dollars! These treatments are very expensive and not very practical for most women. The side effects include bruising, swelling and peeling. There is no guarantee that it will work for you!

Many women try natural creams and oils to achieve the desired results. There is no magic cure here, either. It works for some and not for others. The difference is, there are no side effects and the cost is much, much cheaper! It is well worth the effort to try out some of these alternatives and assess whether they work for you or not.

Doctors advise drinking lots of water to plump and hydrate the skin. Many have smoothed on Olay eye cream, tamanu oil, rosehip oil, vitamin E and cocoa butter. Don’t wait until your baby is born to slather on the lotions and creams! The sooner you start, the better chance you have of eliminating those pesky stretch marks!