Stretch marks, dry skin and itching during pregnancy: what's normal?

What happens to your skin when you're pregnant

During pregnancy, your skin changes because of two things happening at once: your body is growing fast, and your hormones are shifting significantly. Oestrogen and progesterone affect your sebum production, moisture retention and pigmentation, which is why skin changes can vary so much from one woman to the next.

The most common complaints are dry skin, itching and stretch marks. But there's more.

Dry skin during pregnancy

Dry, tight skin is one of the earliest and most common complaints. As your belly, breasts and thighs grow, the skin stretches and loses moisture more quickly. This can feel tight, sometimes even painful, and it may come with a burning or scratchy sensation.

For some women, dry skin starts as early as the first trimester. For others, it begins later, when the belly really starts to grow.

What helps: Massage a nourishing oil into your belly, breasts and thighs twice a day. Use an oil specifically formulated for pregnancy,  like the Bodime Belly & Body Oil. It's dermatologically tested, safe throughout pregnancy and breastfeeding, and relieves itching, tightness and redness in 100% of women.

Stretch marks during pregnancy

Stretch marks are probably the most talked-about skin change during pregnancy — and also the most misunderstood. They appear when skin stretches faster than the collagen and elastin fibres underneath can handle. The tissue tears microscopically, and you see it as pink, red or purple streaks, which later turn silvery.

They most often appear on the belly, breasts, hips and thighs, usually between the second and third trimester. Genetics play a role: if your mother or sister had them, you're more likely to as well.

Early stretch marks during pregnancy: can you prevent them?

Preventing them entirely isn't always possible,  but keeping skin supple and hydrated genuinely helps. The Bodime Belly & Body Oil is clinically tested: it helps prevent new stretch marks in 95% of women, and makes existing stretch marks less visible in 95% of women. Massage the oil in daily using a circular, clockwise motion — this also stimulates circulation.

Itchy belly during pregnancy

A mildly itchy belly comes with the territory. Skin stretches, nerves respond, you feel it. But there's a difference between mild itching from stretching and itching that signals something else.

When is an itchy belly normal? If the itch is on areas that are growing, belly, breasts, thighs, and is manageable during the day, it's a normal result of pregnancy for most women.

When is it not normal? Intense itching that also affects your hands and feet, gets worse at night, and doesn't respond to moisturising, can point to intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy,  a liver condition that requires medical treatment. Contact your midwife or doctor straight away if this sounds familiar.

Other skin changes you might notice

Linea nigra That dark line from your navel to your pubic bone is the linea nigra, caused by increased melanin production triggered by pregnancy hormones. For most women, it gradually fades after birth.

Pigmentation on your face Some women develop dark patches on their cheeks or forehead, also called melasma or the 'pregnancy mask'. Sunlight makes it worse, so SPF is a smart move.

Changes in skin texture Your skin may become oilier or drier than you're used to. Breakouts, spots or, surprisingly, your clearest skin ever: all possible, all normal.

Skincare during pregnancy: what's safe?

Not all skincare products are suitable during pregnancy. Retinol, high concentrations of salicylic acid and certain essential oils are best avoided. What is safe: products based on plant-derived oils without synthetic additives, essential oils or hormones.

The Bodime Belly & Body Oil is dermatologically and clinically tested, and safe throughout pregnancy and the postpartum period, including during breastfeeding. Just remove the oil from your nipples before feeding.

When to see a doctor

Contact your midwife or doctor if you experience:

• Intense itching, including on your hands and feet, especially if it gets worse at night (possible cholestasis)

• Sudden rash or painful skin changes

• Swollen skin combined with headaches, blurred vision or high blood pressure (possible pre-eclampsia)

• Any change that doesn't feel right to you

There's no threshold to overcome when calling your midwife, that's exactly what they're there for.

Your skin is doing an enormous amount of work during pregnancy. Most changes are normal, temporary and manageable with the right care. You know your body best.