Stretch Marks

sammierose464

What do you ladies recommend to prevent stretch marks (as much as possible)? Or at least help minimize? Due to my insulin resistance, I tend to hold my weight in my stomach. I'm already starting to see some stretch marks because of this. Wanting to get a head start on minimizing them.

nasalot188

Unfortunately I think 95% of it comes down to genetics. You're either gonna get them or you won't. But for what it's worth I used coconut oil every night with my first, had no marks on my tummy but plenty on my boobs 

Laumb11

You can use coconut oil or belli balm or something but yup it's mostly genetics. 

acciocoffee

Yeah definitely genetics. I didn't get any on my belly with DD, but I got them on my butt and boobs for some reason. It was weird. 

krgriffin26

I tried all the things and nothing stopped the tiger stripes. Still have them 3 years later. Some people are prone to them and some aren't. Depends on your natural skin elasticity. 

kc091118

I religiously used Palmer cocoa butter on my belly, kept well hydrated and only got 1 stretch mark my first pregnancy. I had a big baby, lost 20lbs before leaving the hospital between nearly 10lbs of baby and fluid and ended up with a ton. If you're going to get them, you're going to get them.

sammierose464

I'm already covered in them from weight fluctuations over the years, so I guess I can look forward to more. I don't mind them much, but I'd like to minimize. I'll have to try some coconut oil.

cdepperschmidt

I’ve got tons of them. I was able to avoid them on my belly until 36 weeks last time and then they exploded. Hydrate and lotion probably help.

kosmo86

@cdepperschmidt - same thing happened to me. I thought I was going to make it out with none and then at 36 weeks I started growing a ton and they popped up anyway

chyvie

I have had stretch marks on my tummy, hips, arms and boobs since I was 12. My skin is the worst and I had a lot of growth spurt when I was young. Anytime I gain or lose weight I get them. So I'm only going to get them worse with this pregnancy I'm sure! I use a homemade body butter. It's super easy to make and feels great. Equal parts Shea butter, coconut oil and cocao butter melted then chilled until an indent is made with your thumb. Then whip with a hand held blender. Smells like chocolate and hydrates! 

meltonjl

@sammierose464 I highly recommend Burt’s Bees Mama butter. I used it every day in pregnancy #1 and I feel like it really helped on my stomach. Unfortunately, I still had a few on my breast, hips, and bottom but I think it really helped on the bump. 

wendylattes

I found a recipe for belly butter using one cup of coconut oil, 1 tbsp of vitamin e oil and half a tbsp of frankincense oil. Melt the coconut oil in the microwave for twenty seconds to get it warm then mix the stuff together. Leavs it in the fridge for forty minutes and it's ready to use. I scrape some from my glass jar and it melts in my hand. Feels great for my itchy sides at least haha. 

tinattt23

I think the majority of it is genetics combine with how much and how quickly you gain weight. I did nothing and only got one teeny tiny one of my belly button. But none of the women in my family have ever gotten them (except my mom and hers only showed up after 40 weeks - I was nearly a month late). 

shortstack930

Cocoa butter! I put it on my belly twice a day during my first pregnancy and didn’t get any stretch marks. 

momoflogan20

I put lotion and cocoa butter on everywhere everyday but I got stretch marks on my stomach, books and inner thighs. I dont think anything works to be honest. I was small like 125 pounds and got to 180 pounds at 40 weeks. I lost it all and now im back to square 1 again with weight gain, 

SweetSweetTooth

I also heard it is genetic. Not anything you can do to prevent it! 

krzyriver

My weight has flucated so much in my life, I already had them everywhere and was so worried about more. I have colorless ones all over my belly now from DS and honestly love them. Can’t really avoid them but at least I got them for something great this time. 

DunkinDecaf

They’re going to show up or they’re not. I don’t seem to get them on my tummy or hips but every pregnancy my right boob gets a shit ton. I look like half a tiger.

sammierose464

I've already got plenty on my stomach from this baby. I've decided just to embrace it..

sammierose464

Bump

cdepperschmidt

Hey look! Another thread about stretch marks...  

sammierose464

I bumped it since there was some good info here. This is from very early on.

jenchoo

I’ve been using bio oil for a few months. I still have stretch marks on my hips and thighs but nothing yet on my belly or breasts. The only problem is that I hate the smell. I put it on at morning and night. For my daytime clothes it’s not so bad but my nightgown smells like oil. I don’t like sleeping in anything in the summer but I don’t want it to get on my bed sheets. I bought a costco sized supply to get through pregnancy so I don’t think I’ll switch to something else but I’ll definitely invest in a few more nightgowns, maybe some nursing ones, to switch it up.

cdepperschmidt

Wellllllllll, I noticed my first new stretch mark today. I’m not sad about it I already have them from DS and puberty and gaining weight.  Maybe this is a pregnancy accomplishment?

lrlybbert

I think genetics plays a huge part, but I rub coconut oil all over my belly after my shower and I feel like it helps. At least my skin stays well hydrated so it doesn’t itch.