Stretch Mark Lotion

KamMitchy

This is my first pregnancy and I am curious (and worried) about stretch marks.  When is the best time to start lathering up the belly w/ special lotions and what have all you ladies found out to be the best lotion for you?  TIA!  

RHitch

You cannot avoid stretch marks.  However, I have found that Palmer's Cocoa Butter and Shea Lotion has been great in alleviating the itching.

MrsS.13

Stretch marks = battle scars of pregnancy. 

mommajen8

FYI they don't work. if you want to lather up to keep your skin from itching go for it. but creams wont stop you from getting strech marks.

UrbanHippieMama

mommajen8:

FYI they don't work. if you want to lather up to keep your skin from itching go for it. but creams wont stop you from getting stretch marks.

Ya, this.  I wouldn't go spending my money on expensive creams that claim to work miracles.  Just find a good quality lotion you like the smell of and use that to keep the itching at bay.

KamMitchy

Eh...I know that the battle scars are inevitable, would just like to try to keep them at minimum if possible.  So then I guess there's not a point in going out and buying the most expensive stuff out there if it doesn't work....lol.  Well thanks for the heads up!  

littlemaybaby

Ditto what everyone else has said.  Oh, and I was so happy I made it through delivery without a mark on me . . . and my stretchies showed up 3 days post partum!

SBieste

I don't know...is it better to spend the money and and at least try the stuff? At least you can say you tried then.  I've already started using cocoa butter, but I too am on the hunt for Miracle Stretch Mark prevention cream. I've heard Mustella has a decent one..

kcisthebombdotcom

I put palmers on everyday 2xs a day throughout my whole pregnancy and kept well hydrated. I didn't get a stretch mark...well, while I was pregnant. My stretch marks showed up after I gave birth. Sigh. You can try all you want to prevent them, but theyre most likely going to happen whether you try or not.

KamMitchy

My SIL didn't get stretchies until after giving birth and she used that new Mederma (sp?) stretch mark cream and it seemed to work pretty good for her.  I've been looking @ that Mustella too.  Just wanted to hear some reviews on several different types before going out and spending the money.

Lotuspetal

My dr told me when I was pregnant with my first that you can not avoid stretch marks its genetics either you will have them or you wont and Im one that gets them lol  I found though lotion didnt help much with the itching but the coco butter sticks did.

layersofmeaning

KamMitchy:

My SIL didn't get stretchies until after giving birth and she used that new Mederma (sp?) stretch mark cream and it seemed to work pretty good for her.  I've been looking @ that Mustella too.  Just wanted to hear some reviews on several different types before going out and spending the money.

 

I ordered Mustela Stretch Marks Double Action this week. I've used other products from them and really like them. We'll see who this one tunes out.

*kendrick*

To stay moisturized and help with the stretching itching I am using Burt's Bees Belly Balm. It is a very natural product, so I don't have to worry about the artificial fragrances and other crud in conventional products.

5isablessing

Start using it immediatly and Palmers cocoa butter and shea is great, but I also have used just the Burts Bees Carrot Nutritive lotion and it works really well too!

5isablessing

Oh and yes the other ladies are right you will more than likely get stretch marks regaurdless of what you use, but I have found that the lotions at least help to lighten them some.

DesperateSusan

I used Vitamin E lotion.  The creamy white stuff, it could be genetics but I didn't get one stretch mark and it was GREAT for the itching.  I used to buy it at BJs but they stopped selling it.  I also used it for my face all the time and it just leaves your skin feeling so smooth.  I finally found it again at CVS, lucky cause I'm pregnant again so I will definitely be trying it. GL!

gwenypher7

Unfortunately stretchmarks are hereditary and also depend on how you carry. I developed red tiger-stripes with DD - BUT they did fade to white as I lost the baby weight, so I wouldn't panic about it. Very few women come through a pregnancy unscathed in some way - I say, wear them with pride, momma!

kcisthebombdotcom

gwenypher7:

Unfortunately stretchmarks are hereditary and also depend on how you carry. I developed red tiger-stripes with DD - BUT they did fade to white as I lost the baby weight, so I wouldn't panic about it. Very few women come through a pregnancy unscathed in some way - I say, wear them with pride, momma!

Yours are already white??!! Im so jealous! Mine are much lighter than when I had DS, but they're still pink.  

 

RoseMM

I used Palmer's Cocoa Butter for Stretch Marks twice a day... and got stretch marks at 37 weeks, which worsened post-partum. They're really not that bad, though. Like someone else said, the lotions won't prevent, but they might help fade them afterwards. Keep your fingers crossed that you are genetically blessed stretch mark-wise! 

sourpatchkids

This is my first pregnancy as well and I have used cocoa butter my entire pregnancy and I started getting stretch marks as early as the first of 2nd Trimester. I have really bad stretch marks. Hardly ANY on my belly. But I have them on my tatas, my "love handles", my thighs, inner thighs, butt, back of my thighs, all the way down to behind my knee, AND on my calves!!!

This same thing happened to my Aunt and all of hers faded so that you could barely see them. My SIL who also delivered her son in January had a lot of them and they are barely noticeable as well now too. I know everyone's skin is different so I'm not sure how mine will end up. But they really suck...cuz you don't know if they will fade or not! I feel completely ruined. I'm 21 and I feel like it's possible I'll never be able to go out swimming in front of people again and I'll be doomed to wear hideous clothing to the beach! lol

I've been putting on some cocoa butter baby oil on my belly and it seems to keep my belly extremely moist. I haven't been getting anymore on my belly, so maybe it is helping...who knows?!

Seriously though, there's no way to prevent them...which sucks! 

 

 

UrbanHippieMama

sourpatchkids:

This is my first pregnancy as well and I have used cocoa butter my entire pregnancy and I started getting stretch marks as early as the first of 2nd Trimester. I have really bad stretch marks. Hardly ANY on my belly. But I have them on my tatas, my "love handles", my thighs, inner thighs, butt, back of my thighs, all the way down to behind my knee, AND on my calves!!!

This same thing happened to my Aunt and all of hers faded so that you could barely see them. My SIL who also delivered her son in January had a lot of them and they are barely noticeable as well now too. I know everyone's skin is different so I'm not sure how mine will end up. But they really suck...cuz you don't know if they will fade or not! I feel completely ruined. I'm 21 and I feel like it's possible I'll never be able to go out swimming in front of people again and I'll be doomed to wear hideous clothing to the beach! lol

I've been putting on some cocoa butter baby oil on my belly and it seems to keep my belly extremely moist. I haven't been getting anymore on my belly, so maybe it is helping...who knows?!

Seriously though, there's no way to prevent them...which sucks! 

They will fade!  And don't feel ruined.  Most people have some and understand!  (Even my DH has some on his hips from a growth spurt!)

Buckets of Moonbeams

I've never gotten a single stretch mark anywhere, and I carried my daughter to 41 weeks.  I use that Mama Bees stuff from Burt's Bees.

 

I think my super oily/greasy skin is what prevented them though.  Don't envy me too much- my face is perpetually broken out whether I'm pregnant or not, on hormonal BC or not.  The only time in my life my skin was clear was when I was on Accutane, and it reverted to it's normal self within a few months after completing the cycle.

KimandTravWed

I didn't get any stretch marks, although neither did my Mom or sister so I do think it's genetic but I used Mustela. My friends who were more prone to them though used Mustela too and didn't get any so I do believe it helps. I put it on after the shower and then before bed.

kiley&matt

A lady I work with always makes her own stretch mark cream.  She said she buys a large bottle of Cocoa Butter lotion and mixes it with a half a bottle of Vitamin E oil (you can buy this at a drugstore for around $7.00), a half a bottle of tea tree oil (drugstore for about $10.00) and a bottle of aloe vera gel (alcohol free).  She exfoliates every day with baking soda in the shower, which is gentle and natural, and then applies the lotion once after her shower and again before bed at night.  The whole batch should last your entire pregnancy.  She said this has always worked great for her and she's had four children.  She recommended starting with this as soon as you start to show a little, and continuing for a month or two after the birth. I hope this helps!!

KamMitchy

Wow!  Thanks for all the replies to this!  Everyone was definitely a big help!  I think I will try the mustella and maybe the Vitamin E lotion if I can find some.  Also...will be keeping my fingers crossed just in case genetics don't go my way!  hehe

angelabrown810

I disagree with the posts that say stretch marks are unavoidable. Whether or not you get stretch marks depends on a variety of factors, including genetics, your skin's natural elasticity and how quickly you gain weight during pregnancy. If you "pop" and your abdomen grows very rapidly, obviously your skin will need to stretch to accommodate it. A friend of mine gained 25 lbs very steadily during her pregnancy (she wasn't showing until 6 months), used plain old cocoa butter and doesn't have a single stretch mark. It really just depends, but don't let other peoples' experiences discourage you.