Stretch mark prevention

R

RileyC

Registered User
I realise that the severity and occurrence (or non-occurrence) of stretch marks is largely dependent on genetics. However, as I'm pregnant with my first I'm curious to know what worked and/or didn't work for all you mothers out there. What products did you use? When did you start your regimen and how long did you persist with it? Did anyone wear a belly band (you know those ones that supposedly lift and support the belly so as to minimise stretching of the skin) ? Did anyone go for a tummy tuck? Do skinny mothers generally fare worse as far as stretch marks go?
 
I can say that none of the "anti-stretch mark" creams like belly butter worked at all for me. I applied them religiously from the beginning of my pregnancy (8 weeks) on and they didn't help or prevent anything. I think it has a lot to do with each individual--genetics are a HUGE part of it. Also huge is how thin you were at the beginning of your pregnancy, how much bigger you got and how fast you grew. By the time I was six months pregnant I already had obvious stretch marks on the sides of my belly and in the end I had stretch marks all over my belly, under my arms, on my thighs, on my calves and on my breasts and bum--pretty much all over my body! They were pretty unsightly! Finally they faded to white from the bright red and purple "gashes" (I call them my "tiger stripes" now) they were.

With my second pregnancy I just applied pure olive oil to my skin after bathing--several times a day and my skin was very soft and I didn't get any new stretch marks (but this pregnancy was smaller than my first so...). I say, good luck and hopefully you'll be one of the ladies who don't get stretch marks but if you're going to get them, there probably isn't much you can do about it anyway. :(
 
For my first pregnancy I was really lucky and didn't get any stretch marks. I religiously put belly butter on twice a day. This time around, I did the same, but maybe once a day after my bath and was ok throughout most of my pregnancy...Then in month 8, they started to appear. This baby is bigger and suddenly stretched outwards so there wasn't much I could do. I'm still putting on the belly butter as I'm due any day (doesn't hurt), but I know they'll fade later on.
 
From reading thanka's and banane76's posts, as well as talking to other mothers, I've more or less become resigned to the fact that my body is going to change. There's just a a huge sense of dread about the whole thing. It's tough because I'm the sort of person who likes to be in control and I'm not used to resigning myself to a situation. If genetics is a major factor, then my Mum's experience is freaking me out! Her stretch marks are bad. What does give me a glimmer of hope though is that she NEVER used any moisturisers or creams for her belly.

As soon as I found out that I was pregnant I immediately started using Bio Oil. I have since discontinued using it because I found it too oily and it gave me zits wherever I used it! Can you imagine that? LOL My sister has since asked around her friends and suggested I try Mama Mio Tummy Rub Oil, which smells lovely. It also seems to sink into the skin a lot better. As to whether it will prevent the stretch marks, I'll have to report on that later.

I guess part of becoming a mother involves embracing the changes (some temporary, others permanent) which our bodies go through. Maybe I should learn to be less vain!! LOL
 
I'm currently 6 months pregnant and no stretch marks so far despite quite a bit of weight gain. I'm using the Mama Mio oil and yes it does smell lovely. It's also not too greasy so doesn't get on your clothes if you dress straight after applying it.
Hopefully I will continue stretch mark free......
 
I got no stretch marks with my first pregnancy - until about 2 weeks before I gave birth. I am absolutely under no illusion about the usefulness of the various anti-stretch mark products - I don't believe they do a thing. It's probably dependent mostly on genetics and how large you grow over the course of your pregnancy. If you are going to apply anything, I'd stick with something neutral like olive or grapeseed oil as other posters suggested. They would be equally as effective and a lot healthier than some of the chemically derived products out there like Bio Oil. I think the best you could hope for any oil or cream to do would be to prevent that dreadful itching that comes with rapidly stretching skin!
 
ozmerc said:
I think the best you could hope for any oil or cream to do would be to prevent that dreadful itching that comes with rapidly stretching skin!
Click to expand...

Yes, I've heard about the itching but have yet to experience it. When does the itching usually start?
 
Mine was in the last few weeks - about the time the dreaded stretch marks appeared. Not everyone gets it but I think if you don't have a lot of 'give' in your skin i.e. it's never been stretched before, and your tummy is sizeable, then it is probably likely to happen. It was winter last time for me - I could only imagine how it would feel in the hot sticky HK heat!!
 
used Mamma Mio too - felt wonderful when applied after shower. My stretch marks were not too bad, but not sure if that's b/c of genetics or cream - most likely a combination of both. the itching started for me in the last trimester....
 
As noted by others, genetics plays a big part. But its not conclusive and things like amount of weight gained and the pace at which you put on weight also play a role, at least according to my OB/GYN. My mother has quite a bit of stretch marks, I don't have any. I used cocoa butter to relieve itchiness, but don't think it had anything to do with preventing the marks. Throughout my pregnancy I ate really healthily and drank plenty of water (I did before becoming pregnant also) and did a moderate amount of exercise (at least 5 days per week, alternating 30-45 minute brisk walks with dogs, light weight training, pilates (switched to prenatal pilates at 7 months) and yoga). Creams and oils may feel nice and keep skin from getting itchy, but there's no scientific evidence that they do anything to prevent stretch marks.
 
Genetics definitely play a part but doesn't hurt to moisturize. I used Mama Mio and now I'm using Mambino Organics belly butter--love the smell of it. My stretch marks didn't happen til late 3rd trimester so yes at first I was gutted, but now have resigned to the fact that this bubba is just much bigger than my first and my belly just has grown outwards big time! I haven't gained that much weight and didn't get any marks in my first pregnancy. Part of being a mummy and glad they do fade. The itching has started later too and I just rub more belly butter to help with it.
 
I also asked my OBGYN about this and she said the same thing as Elle's - it depends on how quickly you gain weight and therefore how fast your skin's elasticity can keep up with you. My doc also mentioned that she found that younger women tended to get more stretchmarks, whereas older women did not...finally a perk to being more mature when you have your baby. :) I did get stretchmarks that I didn't even notice until the baby was born and my stomach started to deflate. They were on the lower sides of the belly below the belly button and I guess the stretched skin made them look/feel flatter (plus it's a harder area to see when your stomach is huge). But as many people noted, they fade significantly after birth, and you will not care about them as much as you thought you would pre-baby. I think having a child is such a joy that looking your 'best', whatever that may mean to you, suddenly falls far below in priority. Good luck to you!
 
I have 3 children and not 1 single stretch mark, I gained a normal amount of weight and attribute it all to good genetics. My mom I don't htink has any stretch marks (4 kids). My sister had only 1 or 2 (3 kids). I didn't really use creams. I only used body butter from body shop occasionally after a bath during the winter for the itchy dry skin. I don't think that had anything to do with the lack of stretch marks.
 
I had two big babies, and occasionally applied Bio-oil and never got any stretch marks. Think I was just lucky. In my view it is ALL about genetics and nothing to do with size of baby.
 
Thanks for sharing! Although it may not help, I'll still continue slathering on the anti-stretch mark cream in the lead up to the birth. At least I'll know that I've done everything I possibly could! :) I'm also hoping that I'll be as lucky as those of you who got zero stretch marks.
 
I used the mama mio tummy rub oil too and got no stretch marks. I applied it twice a day from about 3 months.
 
Hi - I used a belly band (as well as tight stockings) throughout both my pregnancies on the recommendation of my doctor. She believed this would help to 'keep things in place' by providing support as 'everything loosens up'.
Although I agree that stretch marks really depend on how quickly you gain weight and how fast your skin's elasticity can keep up, I didn't get any stretch marks and I think that the support band helped a little towards this as well as helping with recovery.
I didn't really use any creams in either pregnancy.
 
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