Article by Dr. Sushrutha C K, Research Associate - Natural Product Innovations R&D Himalaya Drug Company
Pregnancy brings new meaning to the concept of completeness. It is a period of immense joy coupled with excitement. The feeling of carrying a little bundle of joy within you is magnificent. A mother’s first physical contact with her new-born is through her skin. Having experienced hormonal variation and increased blood supply might have brought about various changes in the skin. To maintain healthy and beautiful skin during and post pregnancy, you may need to reconsider your skincare routine.What you apply on your skin is just as important as what you put in your body. It is necessary to protect your skin with natural lotions, cream and massage oils to sustain natural glow of your skin. Use of natural ingredients such as Cocoa Butter, Yashada Bhasma, Aloe Vera, Manjishtha, Almond Oil and Virgin Coconut Oil will help keep mother’s skin soft and supple.
Here are the broad concerns of pregnancy skin care
Dry and Itchy skin:
As the body stretches to make way for the little one, skin needs to be soothed and comforted. The best way to get relief from the dryness and itchiness is to keep the skin moisturized at all times. A soothing body butter that contains rich Cocoa Butter to smoothen extra dry skin and provide long-lasting, deep moisturization can help in intense hydration and moisturization of the skin.
Pregnancy Rashes:
During pregnancy, in addition to stretching of the skin, sweat may contribute to itchy, pregnancy rashes that commonly appear on the abdomen, and spreads to legs, feet, arms and chest. Trends show that out of every 150 pregnancies, 1 pregnant woman develops Pruritus of pregnancy like PUPPP, an itchy and raised rash in their third trimester leaving the skin dry, itchy, and irritated. Using an anti-rash cream, infused with the power of herbs and specially made for mothers, will help soothe the itching skin, and provide moisture, making for a more comfortable pregnancy.Body Massage:
A daily massage during postpartum care routine offers relief from pain and fatigue and helps in restoring strength. It helps improve blood circulation and tones and relaxes muscles. Gentle strokes using massage oil with a delightfully delicate Lavender fragrance containing a soothing blend of Sesame Oil, Winter Cherry, and Country Mallow can be wonderful in healing and relaxing. It also helps relieve stress and promotes sleep.Sore nipples:
Improper breastfeeding could lead to severe pain for mother, due to sore cracked and bleeding nipples. Two in ten mothers have sore and cracked nipples. In addition to the pain, sore and cracked nipples affect milk production too, since there is not enough suckling. New mothers may use a nipple cream that contains Kokum Butter, a natural healer that helps deeply moisturize and heal nipples, and Virgin Coconut Oil which smoothens, cools and protects nipple from cracks and fissures.While taking additional care of your baby is important, caring for yourself is equally essential both physically and emotionally. It is significant for a mother to take good pre and post-natal care as a women’s body experiences lot of hormonal changes, her body needs extra nourishment and care during pre and post pregnancy.