Stretch Mark Freakout

honeybee434

So, I went to shop for some more maternity clothes today and I sure did notice my first stretch mark when I was trying my item on. It's small and I had to do a double take when I first saw it, and it's on my very left side probably about where my side ends and the belly just starts sticking out. I promptly hung up what I was trying on, got to my car as fast as I could and ugly cried in the parking lot and all the way home. I love pregnancy insecurities.

I know it's shown to be genetic, but I've never known anyone genetically related to me so I really had nothing to go off of to know whether I should expect them or not. Is anyone else starting to get them now? And if I have one now is it just going to be a big downhill slope from here on out so I should expect to be covered with them? Or is there chance I could still only end up with a few? I'm hoping I'm not alone in suddenly becoming super emotional about this out of nowhere!

Cristy1020

I am a tiger with many stripes, an have been for the past 9 years. It took many years to accept them an after a while
I didn't even notice them. Except when it came time to put on a bathing suit. :-< . Being this is my last child, surgery is a definite in the future.

lowerygirl

I'm not sure if my mom and sister had them...I will have to find out. I haven't noticed any on my belly. My boobs are a whole different story. :-( Hopefully they will go away after the baby and breastfeeding. Cheer up momma, you're not alone!

darkangel42

You could end up covered, you may not get any more.

they could look that forever, the may fade to next to nothing.

You're not going to know until it happens and there's nothing you can do so don't stress about it - you can grow people, that makes up for a couple of little marks.

Edit: spelling

hcsmiley417

Look at it as a badge of honor. It's nothing to be ashamed of. I have a serious skin condition in which pregnancy has created a raging epidemic of where my skin is losing pigment super fast and fasy than when I'm not pregnant. I look polka dotted. I have accepted that and stretch marks as well. Body image is hard especially when you see that person who has gained nothing except a belly with no stretch marks, shows off pics in a two piece and has stunning skin. It's hard not to compare but you will never be happy if you pick at every little thing on yourself. They do fade and become less noticeable. Cheer up. Plus you'll forget about the marks once you see your baby's perfect face.

TugboatSheila

 I went from a 5 foot nothing A cup girl to a 5'6" girl with C almost D boobs  during high school. I have them on my hips and boobs from where they exploded in all directions and I have them on the backs of my knees and arms from where I shot upward. They have all faded to a nudish color and I don't even notice them anymore. You can still see them but they are just a slightly different shade than my skin.

I understand body image issues though, I struggle with my rotundness sometimes, but I guess since I already have been through the stretch mark mine fields I know what to expect if it does happen. It's ok OP, you are allowed to be upset about but don't let it make or break you. 

PS I am going to try to take my own advice too. 

honeybee434

Thanks, ladies! So far I've been one of those pregnant women who feels more disconnected from the baby even though I'm really excited for her to be here, so I'm thinking that huge bond will hit once she is here and I'm able to see/hold her. I'm guessing that part of it makes me focus much more on the specifics/pregnancy symptoms, etc, instead of looking at the big picture.

I'm sure once I get my "ugly cry freak-out" afternoon over with I will feel much more sane about the situation! (At least I'm hoping I will!)

mustangholly

I cried when I first saw mine. I have been diligent with lotions and still got them. I know its genetic but it makes me sad. I am hoping there is some kind of laser to help clear them up. I am scared how bad it will be at the end.

1982Babies

I keep checking daily for belly stretch marks, but nothing new has popped up yet.  I have a bunch of them on my hips, thighs and boobs from growing so fast as a kid though.

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ashcross

Yea it's genetics. I'm 5'8-5'9 and weighed 130lbs and still had stretch marks and I'm certainly getting them now. I hate it but there is nothing you can do about it. I try to just ignore them. My mom was tiny and had them too. I want another kid so I will address it later on after I'm done with the whole baby making thing. But totally understand how you feel. Cheer up! 

honeybee434

@mustangholly - Thank you for letting me know I'm not the only one who cried over this! I know there isn't anything I can do about it so I felt like I was being dramatic, but I couldn't help the tears from coming!

[Deleted User]

Neither my mom nor my sister had them, but I got them at the end with DS and I'm either getting new ones already or the old ones are just more noticeable again (they did fade quite a bit after my first). I was really bummed the first time I saw them but by now I just embrace them along with my scars from my ectopic surgery. I'm unlikely to get tattoos ever so I figure this is how I'll honor my children on my skin. :P

darkangel42

I have them all over my hips from puberty, they faded to white and look like scars from some kind of animal attack. I told my husband I got bitten by a shark, he never questioned it (even knowing I've always hated the sea) until I had to fill in some medical information several months later )

Also have them all over my breasts from my first pregnancy. 

They've never bothered me any more than I'm bothered by being short.  Hopefully you can learn to live with them (or it if you never get any more)

cakebatter27

My mom didn't have any with me or my sister. I've had one low on my stomach since college when I gained weight. It fades when I'm thinner. I've noticed it since about 14 weeks now though. ::shrugs:: I figure it's part of pregnancy whether I get them or not.

ahjahbaba

I got some on my upper right hip/back probably 2 months ago.... Ugh! It's not easy to accept them but I know it's just part of my job as a mom. I know they will fade a little too which makes me feel better. Hang in there, just a little beauty mark : )

Prncesta

I've had stretch marks since I'm a child. I used to be so self conscious about them and have cried many years in my youth about it. At this point in life, I've accepted them and don't notice them anymore. They fade over time! I haven't noticed any new ones since becoming pregnant, but if it happens, I'm ok with it. They will fade and it's just part of bringing my baby girl into the world. Try not to freak out! It's totally normal

Big+Lil

I was horrified by mine, especially after I had my daughter. After I lost the weight, I didn't notice them as much. I never understood why people were so indifferent once they had them, but even though I plan on getting surgery to fix them with my mommy makeover, I really am indifferent towards them.

emineminem

::burp::

emineminem

Yep, tiger belly over here, just like my momma. They don't really bother me, but I have been using cocoa butter cream on them after every shower. I can live with them, and see them as a badge of honor but I'm not going to encourage them haha.

mamakiss

I've had them come and go in various stages of life and I'm sure they'll come back.

I've learned to accept them but I understand the pregnancy insecurities because of the hives I now have all over my chest, boobs, stomach, and back. Nothing makes me want SO to see me naked less than asking him to smear medication on my back for me. He's a sweetheart but I feel so ugly I don't like him seeing me like this. I cried ugly tears first after they didn't go away in a couple days and then again when my ob said they might last all pregnancy.

runrinserepeat

I got stretch marks with DD. They had faded enough by the time she was 18 months for me to feel comfortable wearing a bikini.

Now they're worse than ever but I'm sure these will fade too. Try not to worry too much about them.

Kristen0705

I didn't ugly cry over my stretch marks until my husband saw them this week for the first time (I've been very diligent about making sure he didn't see them, but I was half asleep in the couch and my shirt came up) and he rubbed them and said "aww poor little stretchies." That set off the tears.

livkight

I've got a pair on my boobs, a pair on each buttcheek, and now a pair of stretch marks on my back (wth!). I definitely cried when the first ones made their appearance. It's kind of like motherhood really hits you in that moment-- no going back, and your body will never forget what it went through to create this baby. It's wonderful but very terrifying at the same time. EVERYTHING is changing and stretch marks just made that more real to me. 

TallMomma29

Reading this post is probably the only time I have ever felt slightly grateful for already having stretch marks! I've looked like a tiger reject naked since middle school (stretch marks on my hips, butt, boobs, back of my knees and arms... Ugh!). There are enough frightening things about pregnancy already without me having to worry about streaking up an otherwise good body! ;-)

Myanswer true

I'm another one who's had stretch marks since puberty... at this point, I feel like any pregnancy ones that show up are just an addition to the collection. My old ones have all faded quite a bit, so I hope any I acquire now will do the same... I am still moisturizing like mad, though. No need to encourage them.

abrazz

I have them on my hips from growing and then got some on my belly with DS. Now my stretch marks are stretching. It sucks and doesn't seem fair. My cat didn't get them lol. I just hate when they are purple and angry. Once they fade they don't itch anymore. I am a bit jealous of those that keep their perfect skin and elasticity.