Question for all those not newbie moms! Stretch marks?

Shrmoss01

Hello ladies, I have been searching for some information on what to use as a preventative for stretch marks. I am barely beginning to show but I know that this little one will be growing now that I have almost hit the 16 week mark... I have read so many different things online but I really just wanted a general opinion of what worked for others! I figure it's a good topic for all of us first time moms too! Any suggestions/advice/or remedies you have discovered in previous pregnancies??
-Shelby

Shrmoss01

Well hell... I have no idea if she has them. She not involved in my life (half the reason of my posting of random questions lol). I guess I could always ask my dad! Lol... See if he might remember!

chardonnay24

I don't think there is anything you can really do. I didn't do a thing and I didn't get any stretch marks. I know people that did all sorts of things and have tons. My mom and sister didn't get stretch marks after 3 and 2 children, respectively, so I'm really hoping I avoid it this time around, as well, especially since I'm not planning on doing anything preventative.

Monotonetwo

It's usually contributed to how fast you get your belly. The faster you gain, more chance your skin won't have time to slowly stretch. Creams and oils smell great but only reach top layers of skin not deep down in there where stretch marks happen. If you have a sudden growth spurt you might get some marks. *this is information given to me by my dr.

Soogerplum

My mom and grandma had them horribly but I ended up only getting 2 that were less than an inch long. I didn't gain excessive weight and I guess just got lucky...but I also used vitamin e oil daily. If nothing else those lotions/oils soothe your stretched, itchy skin. I don't believe in any miraracle cream that prevents them though.

LTMama

What everyone else said re: genetics. I did find that my belly got crazy itchy as I got bigger, so i use cocoa butter oil for that and it did the trick.

Fwiw my mom didn't get stretch marks and I didn't either, on belly. I have them all over my ass from my teens.

Shrmoss01

In pretty much in the dark on anything that has to do with my mothers side of the family. They all pretty much disowned my siblings and I years ago... But I will talk to my grandmother on my dad's side and see how those genetics might work in my favor : ) and thank you for the advice from your dr! I was planning on asking mine but do not go back for another 2 weeks

Shrmoss01

And sounds good I can go look for vitamin e and cocoa butter! Thanks y'all

Justabean3

So I am on number 3 and not in this group so I'm info bombing you

I am 105 and with #1 I gained 50 pounds and 30 of it was 20 weeks plus. I gained very quickly and got stretch marks on my hips and butt but not my tummy. They showed up around week 28. I used mamma mio, palmers oil and lotion daily.It did nothing for me.

#2 started at 105 and gained 27. The stretch marks I had previously never even turned red. I used palmer's lotion when I started to itch and that was it. I didn't even get 1 more stretch mark. I also gained my weight slowly over the whole 40 weeks and not all at once in the last trimester.

I am a firm believer it is somewhat genetics but more importantly how fast you gain the weight and how much also. I think had I only gained 30 with my first I may have only had 1 or 2 and not a dozen.

also people say itching doesn't cause stretch marks when you itch them... Yes it can, at the end your skin is so thin it literally will pull apart. I fell backwards onto a tree and the bark caused about 4 stretch marks in my late 3rd with my first. My skin was so stretched just the pressure of landing caused them

Annsor

My mom has horrible stretch marks on her tummy & no place else. I didn't get any on my tummy at all, but have the everywhere else. Thighs, hips, booty, and my poor boobs. It's embarrassing to admit, but up until now, I had not idea they were genetic. What rock have I been under?? I make a quick coconut oil & shea butter lotion for the itchies. It smells amazing!!

JustCricket

My mom got them bad, but one of my aunts lucked with like none. idk how either grandmother fared.. and my dad's sisters didn't have kids. ONLY TIME will tell if you're going to get strechmarks. Nothing you can do will prevent them.

whataboutscience

I have been heavy from about 10-25 years old. I already have stretch marks, so thankfully I'm not worried about this. I'm a healthy weight now, but I have to live with the fact that my stomach will never look good - stretch marks and loose skin that hangs in rolls/folds.

MrsLaLaBug

MrsSparklebottom said:

There is nothing you can do to prevent stretch marks. Did your mom get them? If she did, then chances are high you'll get them. Use all the creams and lotions you can afford if you want, but they won't help.
When I use lotion on my belly it's for itchiness.

This.

Sweetpea409

I used palmers coco butter religiously. Twice a day every single day. I ended up still getting stretch marks on my sides in my 3rd tri. I found a pricey stretch mark cream that has made my last stretch marks go away but I wish I didn't waste my money with the other crap -_-

JD83

I'm a FTM, but I already know that it's all based on genetics and luck of the draw. If you end up with them, it's better to look for a way to get rid of them as opposed to preventing them. I still use the unscented Palmer's cocoa butter lotion but that's only because it's thick and feels good and smells like Boston cream donuts.

suitern

I didn't get any with DS. I think my Mom said she got a few with my younger brother, but not many. Last pregnancy I used Bio Oil (expensive, but worth it IMO) and Palmers. I don't really know if either contributed, but I agree staying hydrated also plays a large part!

MrsFord0317

I drank water like it was going out of style and used Palmers Stretch Mark lotion everyday at least twice. I am tall and lean and my mom got a bunch of stretch marks . I escaped with ZERO! We'll see how baby #3 goes, 7 years later!

peanutbuttervibes

Some people swear by certain lotions but several doctors have always told me the same thing, there is no lotion or cream that can or will prevent them. As for genetics, I agree with pp, I think it's the luck of the draw... My sister got them, I did not. The only thing I'm confident about is that if you gain weight rapidly, you are more likely to get them.