A–Z Glossary

Stretch marks

Streaks or bands that develop when skin and connective tissues stretch during pregnancy and other periods of rapid growth.

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Stretch marks and skin itching in pregnancy

Stretch marks and skin itching in pregnancy

What stretch marks in pregnancy are Stretch marks, also called striae gravidarum, are linear marks that commonly appear as the abdomen enlarges, although they may also develop on the breasts, hips, buttocks, and thighs. They are not a sign that anything is “wrong” with the pregnancy. Instead, they reflect the skin’s response to rapid expansion, […]

Can pregnancy improve skin myth

Can pregnancy improve skin myth

What the myth actually says The phrase “pregnancy glow” suggests that pregnancy should make skin better in a predictable way: smoother, brighter, and more even-toned. In reality, that phrase is a cultural shorthand, not a medical promise. Some people do notice a fresher look, but others notice the opposite. Clinical reviews of pregnancy and skin […]

Maternal body changes month by month

Maternal body changes month by month

Month 1: hormonal signaling begins before the body looks pregnant Month 1 is counted from the first day of the last menstrual period, so conception usually occurs around the middle of this month. For part of this time, a person may not yet know they are pregnant. Still, endocrine activity begins early: human chorionic gonadotropin, […]