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Now that you know you are going to have a baby, it's essential to take care of yourself physically and spiritually. Take care of your pregnant body with our beauty tips, skincare advice, and stay-healthy tips. Skin changes. Stretch marks show up as purplish marks on your skin. how to prevent stretch marks during pregnancy Lotion can help keep your skin moist and may help reduce the itchiness of dry skin. Stretch marks can't be prevented, but they usually fade after pregnancy.

Take a Supplement. Make sure your supplement contains 400 micrograms of folic acid. You need this while you're trying for a baby and for the first three months of pregnancy. Taking folic acid reduces the risk of your baby developing a neural tube defect such as spina bifida.

Leg cramps. Slowly stretch the calf of your leg by curling your toes upward, pointing them toward your knee.

Varicose veins. Avoid clothing that fits tightly around your legs or waist. Rest and put your feet up as much as you can. Move around if you must stand for long periods. Ask your doctor about support or compression hose, which may help ease or prevent varicose veins.

Food Hygiene. Cook meat and ready meals thoroughly. Don't eat foods such as pate.

Avoid Caffeine. Don't ingest alcohol. Stop Smoking. Don't use illegal drugs. Use prescription drugs only at the advice of your doctor.

Exercise Regularly. Regular exercise has many benefits for mums-to-be. Build your strength and endurance. This may help you to cope better with the extra weight of pregnancy and the hard work of labour.

Other skin changes may include darkening of the skin on your face and around your nipples, and a dark line below your belly button. Staying out of the sun or using a sunscreen may help lessen these marks. Most marks will probably fade after pregnancy.