Stretch marks

Marchmama11

So I am 32 weeks and so far have had no strech marks I'm hoping it will stay that way but I realize I still have a ways to go!

Did anyone get loads of strech marks during the last 8 or 9 weeks? I put lotion on all the time but I know it doesn't do much, if I'm going to get them they will come regardless but I'm just curious.

Taryn5382

I started getting stretchmarks at 36 weeks. All of them are on the bottom part of my stomach. I have used Vitamin E oil and Palmers Cocoa Butter throughout my whole pregnancy.

kabarbanel

I didn't get any with DS and I don't have any yet, but many women get them AFTER birth, so I know I am no where near in the clear.

Marchmama11

I have never heard of anyone getting them after, that's interesting!

Johnso

I was just coming to this board for old times sake...

I got them at about 38 weeks... but they don't look too bad now.. 6months out.. good luck.. 

PAmiler82

I got stretch marks with Drew at 40 weeks (he was born at 41 exactly).  I couldn't even see them b/c they were on the underside of my belly.  DH pointed them out (thanks a lot DH!)

I also got a few on my breasts in the two weeks after Drew was born.

JessiRaye

Unfortunately, my belly was in the clear until a day or so after delivery and then I had the worst really red angry looking stretchmarks ever. Pissed me off! My OB acted like that was somewhat common as baby was big and then my stomach shrunk down pretty quickly????? WHAT??? I was just upstairs in my bedroom slathering myself with tummy butter and it looks like my previous stretchmarks are irritated because I'm scratching my stomach in my sleep. Grrrr..... They faded rather quickly with #1, didn't get any additional stretchmarks with #2, but now I'm wondering what is going to happen with this baby. Yikes.

kesrya

baby_#1:

I put lotion on all the time but I know it doesn't do much, if I'm going to get them they will come regardless but I'm just curious.

This is actually not true, and I always laugh at the women on here who tell you that "stretch marks are genetic so don't waste your money" b/c I always have to wonder if those same women don't use any facial lotion. The same logic would apply to wrinkles, etc.

While skin elasticity *is* hereditary - there is no gene that predetermines you *will* get stretchmarks. Like many many other hereditary conditions - whether or not the gene will express itself and symptoms will manifest can and does rely a lot on your lifestyle.  If your mother got stretch marks, it could be b/c your family is prone to poor skin elasticity - it also could be b/c she gained too much weight, or had a diet that didn't properly nourish skin cell development, etc.

My due date is in 3 days, and I have no stretch marks.  I have used Biggs and Featherbelle's Belly Balm since 2nd trimester.  I've used the cream on my breasts and thighs and it has actually decreased the stretch marks I had from puberty.  I also have always had a diet high in omegas, healthy fats and cholesterols that skin cells need for regeneration.  I also didn't get a huge belly b/c rather than expanding out, he's expanded very high into my rib cage (also this too my mother experienced).  My mother and aunts all have stretch marks - so don't totally discount the things you *can* do to decrease the likelihood of developing them.

mamarazzi

I got my first ones at 35 weeks.  I totally thought I was in the clear -- especially since my gain was totally within the normal range and not one single woman on either side of my family got them.

Pffffft.

Apparently, some women even get them after delivery.  So don't go buying a new bikini just yet.