Stretch Marks?

babybravesfan

Anything you can use to prevent them? How early to start using something for them? I know I'm mostly all bloat right now but I don't want to risk getting them if there is anyway they can be prevented. This is my first pregnancy so I wasn't sure if there is even anything you could use to keep from getting them.

Oem617

Any kind of lotion to keep your skin hydrated helps. But I've also heard it's genetic and some people are just prone to them and some not. I was lucky not get them with DS on my tummy, but my boobs and butt have always had them.

thegoodpotato

You can try pretty much anything.  Lots of lotion.  Bio Oil.  Cocoa butter... etc, etc, etc.

It's pretty much up to the elasticity of the skin whether you get them or not, which is entirely genetic.

Luckily, I'm as lily white as they come, so mine just fade to shiny white (once they're done being angry, angry red) and blend right in with the rest of my pasty self. 

jaztastic

Moisturize multiple times a day, and pray like hell. Lol I'm prone to stretch marks so I'm already in prevention mode, just hoping I can limit them.

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KMac570

I used a cocoa butter cream last pregnancy and managed to avoid them.  I agree with others though that it does appear to be genetic.  Can't hurt to start moisturizing to try to prevent them anyway though.

ConstanceGoodspeed

I didn't get a single stretch mark until after the baby was born. I left the hospital with small tiger stripes on my sides from the skin and fluid (and guts) re-positioning so rapidly post-partum. 

wintersong139

LOL, I have stretch marks from before I was pregnant. And I am not that big, My skin is super dry, and fair, so I think ugly pink stretch marks are just part of my future.

lilrubberduckie

I have 3 little stretch marks already. Stupid bloat!

diamond7986

I keep thinking maybe gaining some weight in early pregnancy will help my skin stretch some before the baby starts growing more rapidly! Lol. Maybe wishful thinking.

smg2302

I used cocoa very day last pregnancy and still got them. Let me know if you find something!

thegoodpotato

Stephanie2378 said:

The only thing you can do to reduce the amount/severity of the ones you get is to keep your self hydrated and not gain more than the recommended amount of weight.

Gaining the recommended amout of weight or not, you're going to get stretch marks if you're prone to them. I gained 23lbs in my second pregnancy. And got new stretch marks on top of my old ones. 

For some of us, it's just a fact of life...

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wintersong139

miniwheat10 said:

I agree that your genes will play a huge roll if you will get them or not. I was told if your mom got them, you probably will too. But what is nice, when your belly goes back to pre pregnancy size, they are very hard to notice and don't cover as much area as you think they will.

Depends. My skin is incredibly fair--like, my foundation color is "alabaster." (This means white as glue.) My stretch marks are pink. They are very noticeable. :-(

animalcrckr

I would not worry about it.  Genetics seems to be the biggest factor.  I personally have never wanted to waste my time covering my body in lotion or oil.  I did get a few stretch marks with my 2nd pregnancy (the one in which I gained the most weight) but they have since faded. It never bothered me though.  It was totally worth it! 

I really wish more women would embrace their bodies and the changes that happen with growing a baby.  Eat healthy and keep active.  Our society is so messed up with the image it conveys to women and the "standards" we try to uphold.  It's not realistic.    

michelle142

Stretch marks are genetic. That doesn't mean you're guaranteed to get them if you Mom had them, you may luck out.

That said, if you're going to get them, you're going to get them. Stretch marks aren't preventable. Keep yourself and your skin hydrated to help aide in the stretching and hope for the best. That's all you can do.

lmhamze

I tried everything while pregnant with ds to avoid them and only gained 23 pounds, and made it up to the last month til the stupid marks appeared. They faded a bit after delivery but I can still see them. I'd love to say they don't bother me, they are my war wounds, etc but reality is I fucking hate them! So yah, they are genetic and not avoidable, but lotion doesn't hurt! FX many are able to avoid them!

thegoodpotato

wintersong139 said:

miniwheat10 said:

I agree that your genes will play a huge roll if you will get them or not. I was told if your mom got them, you probably will too. But what is nice, when your belly goes back to pre pregnancy size, they are very hard to notice and don't cover as much area as you think they will.

Depends. My skin is incredibly fair--like, my foundation color is "alabaster." (This means white as glue.) My stretch marks are pink. They are very noticeable. :-(

We sound like twinsies, @wintersong139. They do eventually fade to a silver/white colour. My stretch marks from Amanda are still pink, though. It takes some time and moisture.

ETA:  mine cover a LOT of surface area.