Cellulite during pregnancy

Cellulite during pregnancy occurs in 90 out of 100 women. But it is worth remembering that pregnancy is a temporary phenomenon, and cellulite that appeared during this period will also pass.

During pregnancy, a number of changes occur in a woman's body, and not only for the better. A woman loses her attractiveness, acne, swelling, and extra pounds may appear. Over time, a woman may notice signs of cellulite on her body; it is typical that cellulite may appear even in women who have never had a tendency to it. This happens for the same reasons - physiological changes.

The woman's uterus is constantly increasing, which leads to compression of veins and lymph nodes, as a result of which the outflow of lymph and blood is disrupted, in addition, fluid can accumulate in the tissues, which contributes to the development of cellulite. As a rule, after childbirth, all functions are restored and the body gradually returns to normal. When breastfeeding a baby, the thyroid gland is stimulated, due to which the number of fat cells is normalized. Pregnancy is a kind of stress for the female body, which can activate the process of subcutaneous fat appearance or, conversely, slow it down, here everything happens individually.

Causes of cellulite during pregnancy

During pregnancy, the growing baby draws a large amount of iodine from the mother's body. It is iodine in the body that is responsible for controlling metabolism at the cellular level and the rate of fat burning. Insufficient iodine in the body of a pregnant woman leads to the appearance of cellulite. In order for the body's functions to be restored, additional intake of iodine-containing drugs may be required after the birth of the child.

During pregnancy, many women experience a sharp change in taste preferences, their appetite increases, and the older generation's erroneous belief that a pregnant woman should eat for two leads to the woman gaining a lot of weight, which is harmful not only for the figure of the expectant mother, but also for the child. A large number of fat cells leads to the appearance of cellulite, so in order to prevent the appearance of "orange peel" you need to pay close attention to the quality and quantity of what you eat.

If a woman's diet is balanced, then cellulite during pregnancy indicates a natural change in hormonal levels during this period. The woman's body increases the production of estrogen (female hormone), which stimulates the preservation of fat, so necessary for menstruation, pregnancy and breastfeeding. Nature has provided for everything: the mother must have an energy reserve that will help in extreme conditions. Estrogen controls the distribution of fat cells, the more of this hormone in the body, the higher the likelihood that fat will accumulate in areas prone to it (abdomen, buttocks, legs). Since all body functions are slightly impaired during pregnancy, the lymphatic system cannot cope with the removal of unnecessary substances, so cellulite may appear. In the later stages, estrogen affects connective tissue (collagen fibers), as a result, it relaxes significantly, which is necessary to cope with the increasing volume of the abdomen, and it also facilitates the birth process. Estrogen is also responsible for appetite; the more of it there is in the body of the expectant mother, the stronger her appetite.

Another reason for the appearance of cellulite in pregnant women is water retention in the body, which is absolutely natural during this period. But, as already mentioned, not everyone gets cellulite during pregnancy. If a woman was in good physical shape before pregnancy, then she has a much lower chance of seeing "orange peel" on her body. Proper nutrition, more exercise - all this will have a positive effect not only on your skin, but will also be useful for your baby.

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Symptoms of cellulite during pregnancy

9 out of 10 women notice cellulite on their body during pregnancy. This "orange peel" that all women dislike is determined quite simply: a small area of skin is pinched between the thumb and index finger, rolling it a little. If you feel smooth skin under your fingers, then there is no reason to worry, if you feel unevenness, bumps that you can even see, then these are the first signs of cellulite.

The development of cellulite during pregnancy goes through several stages, each with its own symptoms. At the initial stage, damaged areas of the body (buttocks, abdomen, thighs) tend to heal minor skin damage (abrasions, scratches, etc.) more slowly, then the skin thickens, which is associated with the accumulation of lymphatic fluid. Further development leads to the appearance of bruises without any particular reason (blows, bruises), which indicates damage to the skin from the inside. Then you can observe the appearance of "orange peel" and compaction under the skin.

What to do if cellulite appears during pregnancy?

If cellulite appears during pregnancy, then first of all you need to pay attention to your diet. If a woman has a child in her belly, this does not mean that she needs to eat for two, the diet should be complete and varied. Do not overeat - excess weight is a direct path to the development of cellulite deposits. Try to eat less foods that are not good for your body - animal fats, sweets, smoked foods, salty foods, do not drink carbonated water. Such food will not only trigger the development of "orange peel", but is also harmful to the baby. During this period, you need to eat foods that contain a sufficient amount of calcium and potassium (seafood, lettuce, cabbage, greens, fish). It is also good to eat fermented milk products. Proper nutrition for a pregnant woman will not only keep her figure beautiful, but will also benefit the child.

Physical exercises have always been useful for a woman's figure, especially during pregnancy, special gymnastics will improve your mood, blood circulation, strengthen your muscles and even out your skin texture. Aqua aerobics, swimming, yoga, and exercises with a gymnastic ball are very good for pregnant women. During pregnancy, it is strictly forbidden to do exercises with jumping, vibration, etc. The expectant mother should do exercises regularly, it would be best to sign up for special gymnastics for pregnant women and visit the gym about 3-4 times a week. During special classes, the trainer will select the best exercises based on your initial level of training, as well as taking into account the duration of pregnancy. During classes, listen to your condition and in case of any violations, immediately notify the trainer about it.

For classes, you need to choose light and comfortable clothes that will not restrict movement.

When cellulite appears, you can do aqua aerobics - a type of fitness with a minimum number of contraindications. Aqua aerobics has great benefits for the female figure as a whole. Water massages the surface of the skin, and special exercises strengthen the muscles, after classes, mood, blood circulation, etc. are noticeably improved.

Fitball is another useful type of exercise to combat cellulite for pregnant women. The exercises use a special large gymnastic ball. Exercises with such multi-colored balls strengthen muscles, develop flexibility, reduce back pain, and have a positive effect on the respiratory and cardiovascular systems. There are no contraindications to fitball exercises, the exercises are very gentle and can be done at any stage of pregnancy.

Today, the cosmetic market is rich in anti-cellulite cosmetics, but not all of them can be used by pregnant women. Taking a special anti-cellulite bath is strictly prohibited for pregnant women, but a contrast shower with massage is an excellent solution for eliminating the unsightly "crust". Cellulite develops as a result of fluid stagnation in the tissues, so a massage with a natural washcloth is well suited, you need to massage in the direction of the heart. You can use special scrubs for problem areas of the body, you need to massage for about five minutes in a circular motion. You can also use a series of anti-cellulite cosmetics after a shower specifically for pregnant women. A pregnant woman cannot take a contrast shower for the whole body, but it can be used only on certain areas of the body. During the procedure, a stream of water is directed at the problem area of the body, sometimes with hot, sometimes with cold water. It is better to finish the shower with cool water and thoroughly rub the area of the body with a towel, you can apply a special gel for problem areas.

In addition to a contrast shower, massage with special massagers for cellulite treatment has a good effect on fat deposits. This type of massage can be done on your own, strictly following the attached instructions.

Cellulite during pregnancy responds well to treatment with vacuum massage, which improves lymph circulation and eliminates stagnant tissue. To perform a vacuum massage, you will need a special plastic jar, which can be purchased at a pharmacy. Apply a special product to the skin for better sliding (a cream or massage oil will work well), then squeeze the jar to release air from it and press it to the body. When performing the massage, move the jar in a circle, without staying in one place for a long time (otherwise a bruise may appear). You cannot use this kind of massage on the abdomen, as this can lead to uterine tone. The procedure takes about 5 - 10 minutes, you can do this massage in the shower, applying shower gel or liquid soap to the body.

There is now a special series of anti-cellulite cosmetics for pregnant women. But in any case, before using it, you need to familiarize yourself with the composition of the product. Some manufacturers may use phytoestrogens, which are contained in hops, licorice, red clover, grapes, alfalfa - these substances are contraindicated for pregnant women.

You need to choose products containing vitamin E (for skin elasticity), calendula, green tea, horse chestnut, seaweed (they will improve blood flow in the vessels and remove swelling). When fighting cellulite, you can try homeopathic preparations, for example, orange or ficus oils have a good anti-cellulite effect.

How to remove cellulite during pregnancy?

If the "orange peel" has become noticeable, you need to make every effort to prevent the process from going too far. It is almost impossible to get rid of cellulite completely during pregnancy, and a number of effective methods for combating fat deposits in problem areas are contraindicated (for example, wraps, anti-cellulite massage).

Cellulite during pregnancy becomes less noticeable if you follow the principles of healthy eating, as well as if you do special exercises. During pregnancy, a woman's appetite increases greatly under the influence of hormones, she wants a variety of delicious things (smoked, sweet, salty, etc.). Excessive consumption of such products becomes noticeable on the woman's hips and buttocks, and such a diet is extremely harmful for the child. Therefore, carefully monitor what is on your table and what your lunch consists of. Pregnant women need to include seaweed in their diet (it contains a large amount of iodine, which is extremely lacking in pregnant women), fruits, nuts, seafood, and fermented milk products. You can consult a doctor about additional intake of fish oil. It is necessary to drink enough fluids, but only if there is no swelling.

Special exercises that are designed for pregnant women will not only help make the appearance of the “bumps” less noticeable, but will also have a positive effect on the condition of the pregnant woman as a whole.

It is necessary to use various anti-cellulite products (gels, creams, masks, etc.) with extreme caution, as some components in their composition can penetrate through the skin into the blood, thereby harming the child.

To improve skin tone, it is recommended to take a bath with sea salt twice a week. Such a bath also promotes the normal functioning of subcutaneous fat tissue.

Cellulite during pregnancy can appear as a result of wearing high heels, also you can not wear anti-cellulite underwear, tights or shorts, as it creates a "greenhouse effect", and this will have a bad effect on the child. Pay attention to your underwear - it should not be tight, too tight or squeeze, as this disrupts blood circulation, which, as is known, contributes to the appearance of cellulite.

Cellulite does not like movement - so try to move as much as possible, but without fanaticism, listen to your condition more often. You can consult a doctor about physical exercise, if in your case there are no contraindications to this, then you can think about choosing exercises. You can do it at home on your own, you can buy a special disk with exercises for pregnant women. Now there is a huge selection of centers where in a group under the guidance of a specialist you can do gymnastics, aqua aerobics, fitball, yoga, fitness, etc. Classes for pregnant women are mostly short (about 20 minutes), but the positive effect will be noticeable in the very near future.

To enhance the effect of gymnastics after a shower, you can massage problem areas with a special washcloth made of natural fibers, such a massage will improve blood circulation and lymph drainage from the tissues. You can sprinkle the washcloth with fine sea salt during the massage. After a massage, a good anti-cellulite effect has such a mask: honey, lemon juice and citrus oil (for example, orange). This mixture should be rubbed onto problem areas of the body after a shower, the movements should be slightly patting. The sensations are unpleasant, depending on sensitivity, sometimes even painful, but after 15 such sessions, the "orange peel" will begin to disappear.

Fir essential oil is good for treating cellulite. Add three drops of oil to your body lotion or cream, mix well and lubricate problem areas of the body. There is no need to apply such cream to the whole body. Such homemade "anti-cellulite" cream is a good alternative to expensive anti-cellulite products, which can also harm the child.

You should not use warming wraps, such an effect is extremely harmful for the baby. You can use natural scrubs, for example, coffee (coffee grounds are added to shower gel or liquid soap and rubbed into places where cellulite has appeared).

Cellulite Prevention During Pregnancy

During pregnancy, women can take some preventive measures that will minimize the risk of developing cellulite.

Cellulite during pregnancy will not appear, or will develop to a mild degree, if you follow these principles:

• healthy eating. Eat more fermented milk products (it is better to exclude milk altogether). Cabbage, various greens, salads, fish oil, seafood, boiled meat – the presence of these products in your diet will significantly reduce the likelihood of the appearance of "orange peel".
• A bath with sea salt twice a week will improve skin tone and normalize the functioning of subcutaneous fat.
• Do special exercises for pregnant women several times a week, taking into account your period. Physical activity will improve metabolic processes in the body and prevent changes in connective tissue. When doing exercises, it is important to monitor your breathing - it should be deep and even. It is better to do exercises in a ventilated room. Clothes should not be too tight and restrict movement.
• If possible, sign up for a swimming pool - water provides a good massage for the skin's surface, and swimming strengthens the muscles.

Cellulite during pregnancy is almost inevitable, it appears in most pregnant women. But these processes are quite natural and created by nature for the safe bearing of a child. As a rule, after childbirth, the process of recovery of the body is normalized and the body returns to normal. The manifestation of cellulite can be significantly reduced by adhering to a proper and complete diet, not overeating, doing regular exercises. Additionally, you can influence the development of "orange peel" with the help of massage with a natural hard washcloth, special massagers and natural scrubs.