If you are pregnant, your body will undergo various physical changes that are expected and are not any cause for concern. It’s common to put on some weight although you may need to take action if that extra weight is because of unwanted cellulite. Many women have heard of cellulite but aren’t sure exactly what it is:
Cellulite is also known as the orange peel syndrome, and the hips, abdomen, buttocks and thighs are most commonly affected by these dimples or lumps that have the same texture as orange peel. Almost every woman gets cellulite at some point, especially while pregnant and also while approaching menopause, although it can also be an undesirable part of going through puberty. It’s not a disease; rather it is a cosmetic issue and although it can be unsightly, is not something to be overly worried about.
The fat on your body is connected to your skin by collagen fiber, and if that is broken, tightly pulled or stretched it can cause the fat to bulge outwards. Those areas of the skin that have more subcutaneous fat are more susceptible to visible cellulite.
These common physiological factors can help to lead to cellulite while pregnant:
- Fat can build up during pregnancy because excess estrogen is produced in the body, especially around the thighs and hips.
- Excess water and fat are normal while pregnant; it’s the body’s way of making sure that your baby and you will survive in the event of excessive bleeding or having insufficient food.
- To allow for extra fat in your fat storage areas and around the tummy, and to make delivering the baby easier, connective tissue such as skin and ligaments becomes looser.
However, when it comes to easier cellulite removal pregnant women can now benefit from several advancements in the area of cosmetics.
Why Cellulite Develops During Pregnancy
Internal body factors and bad lifestyle decisions are often responsible for pregnant women having more cellulite.
1) Lifestyle and Habits
Your baby’s health and your own health can be maintained by taking part in simple exercises while pregnant. And to help prevent cellulite from appearing on your body, don’t forget to keep those food cravings in check and try to avoid too much junk food.
2) Easy Retention of Water
Bodily fluids are more likely to be stored in excess, while pregnant. Because of this, cellulite is more likely to form, often becoming lumpy looking over time, as different parts of the body retain more water.
3) Estrogen Plays a Part
If you’re pregnant, your levels of estrogen will increase significantly. Ligaments and muscles then tend to become weak and unable to support themselves; this in turn can help to stimulate the increased production of estrogen.
4) Fluctuating Hormones
Cellulite deposits can appear because of insulin and prolactin, two common hormones, fluctuating more often. It is common for pregnant women to experience these hormonal changes, and they are nothing to be worried about.
5) Weight Gain
Most pregnant women expect to put on weigh to some extent, and in itself that is quite normal. However, you may experience a higher rate of cellulite formation than normal as you get older, if you gained more weight while pregnant than is considered normal or safe.
6) Older Ladies
Developing cellulite is much more likely for women who become pregnant later in their life.
Cellulite Can Be Treated Medically and Safely
Nobody wants to see that unwanted cellulite, and its appearance can be made less noticeable by using a slimming lotion or other anti-cellulite cream on any areas that have been affected. Caffeine is both a xanthene and a diuretic and is the main ingredient present in cellulite cream.
However, you should be aware that both xanthene and caffeine can sometimes have adverse effects, and because of this their use while pregnant has been restricted. Using cellulite cream after you have given birth, rather than while you are pregnant is the safe and recommended way to see positive results. Cellulite cream is effective as it can get rid of any excess fat by stimulating those cells that have been affected, and increasing the flow of blood in specific areas.
When it comes to unsightly cellulite removal pregnant women have a number of natural methods of doing that, all of which are safer than other types of treatment and won’t cause any harm during pregnancy. However, there are some people who will try cupping to remove cellulite. If you are pregnant then you have to be extremely cautious not to cup the abdomen area and lower back as this may affect the baby.
The safest and healthiest way to get rid of that unwanted cellulite is by exercise. But you should be careful that you don’t carry out any exercise that’s too strenuous while pregnant.
Making sure you’re getting enough nutrition is just as important while pregnant. Ask your dietitian or doctor about the right diet, one that can help to keep the cellulite away too.
What Not To Eat While You Are Pregnant
Food cravings are often stronger for pregnant women who are already overweight, aren’t getting enough exercise and don’t have the healthiest of diets. Eating foods that contain a lot of carbs or sugar are especially bad for your body while pregnant, and can lead to inactivity, weight gain and fluid retention as well as unwanted cellulite. Of course, these foods should be consumed in moderation even if you aren’t pregnant, and too many of them shouldn’t be a part of anyone’s diet.
Oily fish, berry fruits and especially vegetables are recommended foods for pregnant women who don’t want to retain water. To maintain good cardiovascular health, boost metabolism and ensure that labor is a quick process, try walking uphill or walking briskly.
To reduce the chances of having cellulite while pregnant, this list of recommended foods can help. We have also compiled a detailed list of top 10 food to eat to prevent cellulite during pregnancy:
- Drinking green tea can stop cellulite from developing, can control your weight gain and should be consumed instead of coffee or tea.
- Flax seeds and other foods containing omega 3 fatty acids should be part of your diet and are effective in helping bind cellulite.
- For healthy looking skin, Vitamins E and C are recommended, although all vitamins should be taken in the appropriate quantities.
- Eating plenty of berries, seafood and vegetables can prevent cellulite, as these foods can help stop water retention.
- There’s less chance of obese women getting cellulite if they delay getting pregnant until their weight has dropped.
- Exercise and maintain an overall healthy diet.
Losing weight is the recommended natural way to fight the body’s unwanted cellulite, other than actually having medical treatment to remove it. Losing weight can be accomplished by a combination of a healthy diet and exercising regularly.
Keeping yourself slim and in good health, and maintaining a healthy and wholesome routine are simply the best steps for any pregnant woman to take who is anxious to prevent cellulite from appearing.
Exercise should not make you too tired or become something that becomes a chore or a burden. It should be an enjoyable and rewarding activity and by following the guidelines above, you’ll find that you won’t feel the urge to overeat and you won’t have those often annoying or hard to resist food cravings that can accompany pregnancy.
If you’re pregnant, you can’t help but notice those physical changes that happen to your body, and these are all part of the body’s way of ensuring a safe pregnancy and a healthy baby. If you are concerned about cellulite removal pregnant women do have a number of natural options, although it’s understandably a concern to most pregnant women.
Being a mother is going to bring some wonderful new changes into your life, which should be cherished and enjoyed. So don’t get too stressed about the cellulite; following the steps above should help to keep it to a minimum.