Coconut Oil Benefits For Pregnant Women

1 Take It as a Supplement

The benefits of coconut oil range from resisting bacteria and viruses to reducing cholesterol. While you should always consult a doctor before adding a new supplement to your regime (especially during pregnancy), the all-natural superpowers of coconut oil are certainly something to consider adding to your diet.

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2 Stretch Mark Cream

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Skip all those pricey stretch mark creams, and instead keep a jar of coconut oil on your bedside table. While it won't fade preexisting scars, it can help to prevent new stretch marks from forming.

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3 Sip on a Vitagreen Smoothie

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Vita Coco has just introduced coconut oil to their product lineup, and with it comes this supersimple smoothie recipe. Combine half a cup of Vita Coco's pure coconut water with a banana, cucumber, cup of baby spinach, and quarter cup of blueberries in a blender, and puree until smooth. Slowly pour in two teaspoons of warm coconut oil, add ice, and blend until smooth. That's it! Talk about an easy way to get those vitamins in for the day . . .

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4 In the Bathtub

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Add a few drops of coconut oil to the tub as a natural and hydrating form of stress relief.

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5 Under-Eye Cream

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If pregnancy discomfort is making it tough for you to get a good night's sleep, combat dark circles by dabbing coconut oil beneath your eyes (just as you would with eye cream).

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6 Tame Frizz

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While it doesn't happen to everyone, for many women, pregnancy changes the texture of their hair. If your changing hormones result in newfound frizz, use coconut oil to smooth your coif.

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7 Lip Balm

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According to our friends at POPSUGAR Beauty, coconut oil is the ideal remedy for chapped lips, especially because it's semisolid at room temperature.

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8 Turn It Into a Face Mask

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Pregnancy hormones can trigger acne in women who are prone to it and can even surprise those who aren't normally susceptible to breakouts (lucky you!). Nutritionist and dietitian Dr. Keri Glassman shares her easy DIY face mask here: Just combine one tablespoon of Vita Coco coconut oil, one tablespoon of honey, half a teaspoon of avocado, and one tablespoon of mashed banana. Apply to your face, leave it on for 10 minutes, then wash off.

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9 Eczema

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For those with eczema, pregnancy hormones can have one of two effects — they can send the itchiness into remission, or they can cause increased flare-ups. If you fall into the latter category, try coconut oil as a natural alternative to topical steroids.

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10 And After the Baby . . . on Nursing Nipples

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When used on dry and cracked nipples, many breastfeeding mamas swear by using coconut oil in place of lanolin.

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