What causes stretch marks during pregnancy?

What are stretch marks? OBGYN Suzanne Gilberg-Lenz, MD, tackles this question head on as she explains the causes behind stretch marks for women during pregnancy and how they can be treated.
Causes of Stretch Marks During Pregnancy
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What causes stretch marks during pregnancy?

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What are stretch marks? Stretch marks are stretch marks. I mean, you are growing another person inside of your body. Some of us are very lucky, and our skin accommodates that massive growth and we don't get any stretchmarks. Some of us do. It's literally the skin stretching and losing some of the collagen in that area. The truth is, there's really not a whole lot you can do about this. There are a lot of expensive fixes and treatment. I don't recommend spending a lot of money on this. As far as we know, it's genetic in basis. I guess you can look at your mom's belly if she's available to you and get a little bit of a hint as to what might be happening with you. You can also make sure you are staying on top of your weight gain. If you are gaining the appropriate amount of weight, you will limit the stretch marks.

What are stretch marks? OBGYN Suzanne Gilberg-Lenz, MD, tackles this question head on as she explains the causes behind stretch marks for women during pregnancy and how they can be treated.

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Suzanne Gilberg-Lenz, MD

Obstetrician & Gynecologist

Dr. Suzanne Gilberg-Lenz completed her undergraduate education at Wesleyan University and post-baccalaureate pre-medical studies at Mills College. She earned her medical degree in 1996 from the University of Southern California School of Medicine, completed her residency in obstetrics and gynecology at Cedars Sinai Medical Center and has been in private practice of obstetrics and gynecology in Los Angeles, CA since 2000. After many years of a personal yoga and meditation practice, she completed her Clinical Ayurvedic Specialist degree at California College of Ayurveda in 2010 and was board certified in Integrative and Holistic medicine in 2008.

Suzanne is involved in women’s empowerment and public education, and appears frequently as an expert in women’s and integrative health on TV, online and in print. She is co-founder of Cedars Sinai Medical Center's Green Committee and is deeply committed to the promotion of healing that involves individuals, families, communities and the planet.  She lives in Los Angeles with her husband and two children in a "green" renovated home with a sustainable native plants garden and organic “urban mini-farm”.

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