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Nobody wants to get stretch marks, but when you're pregnant you know that, along with nausea, fatigue, backaches and frequent urination, stretch marks are a part of life. In truth, from 75 to 90 percent of all pregnant women (90 percent of white women) get stretch marks during pregnancy.

Stretch marks can begin to appear around the 6th or 7th month of pregnancy. Unfortunately, stretch marks also can appear on other areas as well. These are the upper thighs, buttocks, breasts and even arms, varying on the amount of weight gain, your genetic predisposition, and whether or not you make a concerted effort to prevent stretch marks.

So what can you do to beat the odds and prevent stretch marks? Specialists argue about what you can do for to prevent them, but one thing is always certain: genetics plays an important role in whether or not you are predisposed to acquiring stretch marks. However, there are a few things you can do to reduce the chance of getting stretch marks. Following these guidelines, all of which are good for your overall health and the condition of your skin, will go a long way toward putting the odds in your favor.

How to Get rid of Stretch Marks

- Eat a healthy, varied and balanced diet that maintains your weight gain within the recommended range of 25 to 35 pounds. Excellent nutritional status is vital for your developing baby, but it also adds to the strength and health of the body's largest organ: the skin.

- Utilize a body brush or wash cloth to rub the areas where you see stretch marks, or want to prevent stretch marks from forming- this will improve circulation to the area, which may be helpful.

- Drink plenty of water. Hydration is vital for your overall health and well-being as well as that of your growing baby, and it is critical to healthy skin.

- Take your vitamins. This is one more method to gain proper nutritional status, which is critical for your overall health and well-being, as well as wonderful skin and a healthy baby.

- Maintain skin liberally and effectively moisturized hydrated starting in the first or second period and through to your pre-pregnancy weight. It is a good idea to use one of the many oils and creams marketed specifically to make stretch marks go away instead of your usual moisturizer.

Remember that it is important to take care of yourself during the postpartum period as well. The dramatic weight loss makes your skin prone to stretch marks. Be careful to prevent additional scarring in this period.

If you do remember all of these guidelines yet still can't prevent stretch marks, don't despair. They will disappear in time to tiny silvery lines, and become much less noticeable.