Thoughts towards stretch marks?

earthycrunchymama · April 2010

It seems some people do everything possible to prevent stretch marks during pregnancy...

I'm just curious if everyone sees them as a "negative" think or if some of you are unconcerned about them and haven't bothered to prevent them...

I just see it as normal. I've had stretch marks before that totally faded so I wasn't concerned. and I didn't buy any products to "rid" myself of them. But then again, I'm not the type to wear make-up (beyond lip gloss - but more for dry lips then looks), dye my hair, etc...

my doc gave me a weird look when I told her, "It's just the stomach. no one is going to see them anyway..." like she's not used to hearing that...

am I weird? or do others not really care about stretch marks? I mean a good portion of us will have C-Section scars too...

MrsMoody2006 · April 2010

I don't think they are necessarily that big of a deal. With DD I tried to keep them away, but I got them anyway, really bad ones too. This time I've just resigned myself to the fact that I would get them and didn't let them bother me. They faded pretty well too so I'm not so worried.

mrsjenni · April 2010

I don't really care about them, but I do put lotion on my belly to help with the itching.

I never got stretch marks with #1 and don't have them yet with this baby. But if I get them, oh well.

jennigator3 · April 2010

Wouldn't bother me. I am hoping to get to term, so if I am big enough to get stretch marks, I'll be thrilled.

katesmom73 · April 2010

With my dd, I got some stretch marks on my hips and boobs (none on my stomach) and they were never red - they are skin colored but you can still see them. Fortunately they are covered by my bathing suit. With this one, I haven't seen any stretch marks on my stomach at all but we'll see after I give birth - I didn't notice them the first time until after. I put lotion on for dry skin but so far I haven't bought anything specifically for stretch marks. Having said all that, I've seen people post pictures of some really bad looking stretch marks and if I had those I'd probably care more.

Mom_E224 · April 2010

I am not in the least bit worried about them! So count me as weird too! lol. I'm not one for showing off my belly anyways, so I guess that is a reason I don't care. As long as I don;t get em on my face I'm good!

tinktink20 · April 2010

I'd rather have stretch marks than not be able to have a baby. Not a big deal to me.

tomkat35728 · April 2010

I was a little upset, at first, because I have never had them before and don't really know what they are going to look like once this is all over. It's getting easier though. There really isn't too much I can do, so why let it stress me out?

mysticporter · April 2010

I don't worry about them, or buy anything to prevent them or get rid of them. At the same time, I only got a few with DD, and they did fade, I don't know how I'd feel honestly if I got them all over and I had never had them before/didn't know if they'd 'go away'. I'd like to think I wouldn't care at all, but I suspect I'd be a little sad.

tropical2 · April 2010

I guess I'm the odd ball. I don't really want them, for me my stomach is my smallest part and I feel sexy when it looks good. I know it's not the end of the world if I get them but it is something I put lotion on everyday to try to help prevent. I didn't get anywith my DD#1 and am hoping for the same although my stomach has gotten bigger faster with this one. My mom doesn't have anys so hopefully that hereditary thing is true. Now I'm kinda weird because I have them on my hips from puberty and they don't bother me and I got a few more there with DD#1. But I see other women in their bikinis in the summer who have faded ones and they still look very cute so I guess I would just have to accept it if it happens, but I don't see the harm in hoping and trying to prevent them.

bakedlaurabean · April 2010

I'm really surprised at how many of you don't care just because "no one" sees your stomach. Even if no one else sees my stomach (but I love bikinis, so people will), DH still sees it and I want it to look good for him. Since my stomach was one of my best features pre-pregnancy and I worked hard to keep it looking good, I will be very upset if I get stretchmarks. I have none yet, but I know I could still get them any time. If I do get them, I know I will cry and then do everything I can to make them go away quickly.

MommyBeen · April 2010

I first got stretch marks when I was going through puberty and getting my women curves and was mortified. They were on my hips, thighs, butt, boobs. After I had my first child at 18 and got plenty more, I bought lotions to try to fade them (with little success). Back then I had my belly pierced and took it out when I was pregnant and a stretch mark formed right there from my belly button. It looked disgusting when it shrank. I used to see them as negative, but over the years I have grown to just accept them as my scars and my old ones have gotten bigger with this pregnancy but I just don't care. I probably have new ones too, but I really can't tell and really just don't care. I'm no playboy model and I'm no longer obsessed with how my body looks. It's just my skin, it's not who I am or anything. My husband is the only one who is going to see them anyways. Well, I'm sure some will show also when I wear a bathing suit too, but oh well.

Dreamsicle23 · April 2010

I care, but not enough to freak out about it. I figure I'll either get them or I won't (doing good so far). I put on lotion but I can't be bothered to buy fancy expensive creams.

ELCJet · April 2010

I absolutely didn't want them and was devastated when they first showed up.....but now that I've had other "problems," I could care less about the stretch marks. At least they don't hurt!!

sophie206 · April 2010

I have big red stretch marks under my bellybutton now. I am thankful that they are below the bellybutton and realize that in the scheme of things, they aren't very big of a deal considering the gift that I will soon be receiving. That being said, I feel pretty self-conscious about them. When I actually show people my bare belly (which I try not to do) most people have some comment about them.

ttimmerman · April 2010

I haven't done anything to prevent them - I hate the feel of lotion and can barely stand to put it on my legs after shaving, much less slop it all over my stomach. So far I don't have any stretch marks, but if I did get them, I would probably be upset. My stomach was also one of my best assets, and I would be sad if that would change.

juliafthompson · April 2010

I'm not gonna lie, I hate them and will be bummed if I get them. I got them on my chest and butt during puberty and they faded to white but you can still see the lines and it has always made me uncomfortable no matter how thin I've been.

kellyjojo · April 2010

I DO NOT WANT THEM!!!!!!!!!! I have been swimming in stretch oil since I found out I was pregnant. I am having my baby next Wed and still no stretch marks (KNOCK ON WOOD....HARD). It may seem vein as hell, but I want my body to stay as "normal" as possible (my normal - pre baby) I have gained slow and steady also, and I think that is really what keeps them away. Stretch marks are pretty harsh looking. Yeah, I understand they are "a badge of honor after bringing a baby into the world" but that really doesnt make me want them. I am the kind of girl that wears makeup, works out, so when I feel like I look decent, I feel good. I think that is true for most people.

EKate2010 · April 2010

I've had stretch marks on my boobs since high school, they're small and not seen by others than myself and DH but that doesn't mean I like them. I don't want stretchies from pg but have one already below my bellybutton.

I use cocoa butter lotion to soothe itch and lessen the appearance of them, but they're genetic and you can't truly prevent them. It won't be the end of the world if I get stretch marks but I won't necessarily be excited about it. Some women refer to them as a 'badge of honor' for having a child, but I'd still like to feel sexy in a swimsuit and in front of DH. And if for nothing else, its a self-esteem issue.

tanislynn · April 2010

I don't really care about them. I got so many with my first two DS's, I was 105lbs pre-pregnancy and gained 75 lbs with each kid, so I got them on the back of my calves, my thighs, my butt, my stomach and my boobs. I really didn't think I could get anymore, so I will admit I was a little bummed to see the ones I've started getting with this LO. But for me, in the big picture, it really isn't that big of a deal. I have been putting tummy butter on my tummy, mostly because someone got it for me as a baby shower gift and my tummy is so itchy now.

MorissaW · April 2010

I do not care and I never have. I am on baby number 3.

I have TONS on my belly from my first pregnancy. My second pregnancy gave me some on my hips. So far with this pregnancy I have no new ones.

My stomach has not been the same since my first pregnancy so the only people that see it are DH and I. Dh is happy with my body, no matter what, so it does not bother me at all.

MrsBraun · April 2010

Call me vain but I really don't want them - and I think I'll be pretty upset if and when I discover some. That being said, I'll most likely get over it because it's not that big of a deal compared to having a healthy baby - but that still doesn't mean I have to embrace them!

Rachelilly23 · April 2010

My stretch marks are god awful. They just look terrible and make me feel terrible. I got them really bad on my hips and legs, not really on my belly. I don't know if I will ever be inclined to wear a bikini again. I just hope they fade. If they weren't so bad, I wouldn't really care, but they are pretty hideous.

sabrinafair · April 2010

I have a friend who calls them her tiger marks since it looks like she was attacked by a tiger. She has them completely covering her belly (to the point that the skin has lost most elasticity permanently and it hangs in weird ways) and running all the way down her inner thighs and calves.

It scares the hell out of me, but I'm assuming it is a worst case scenario. I should also mention that the ones on the legs didn't show up until she was pushing...

MorissaW · April 2010

sabrinafair:

I have a friend who calls them her tiger marks since it looks like she was attacked by a tiger. She has them completely covering her belly (to the point that the skin has lost most elasticity permanently and it hangs in weird ways) and running all the way down her inner thighs and calves.

It scares the hell out of me, but I'm assuming it is a worst case scenario. I should also mention that the ones on the legs didn't show up until she was pushing...

Mine are a lot like this and my stomach hangs in a very strange way now. It is not fat either, it is all skin. It is not pretty. My stretch marks are from the top of my belly (just under my boobs actually) all the way down to my crotch area.

opheliacantswim · April 2010

Dreamsicle23:
I care, but not enough to freak out about it. I figure I'll either get them or I won't (doing good so far). I put on lotion but I can't be bothered to buy fancy expensive creams.

This is me exactly. But more than stretch marks, I'm worried about my abs regaining elasticity. I'm a gym rat, so I think losing the baby weight will happen for me. But even if lose every ounce, if the skin is saggy, it's just saggy. And that will BUM. ME. OUT.

MWoodside · April 2010

Although I understand that they are genetic, I have still used creams to try & prevent. I figure they can't hurt anything. So far I have some light ones on my butt of all places. I'll take that over belly any day.

Holly88 · April 2010

I thought I would care about them... but I don't. They itch and I hate them for that. I think I am more worried about the elasticity of my skin after the baby is here. My stomach, although not flat, wasn't "flabby." I am noticing right above my pelvic area there is some skin that is looking a little loose. I'm hoping my age will work in my favor and that I can tighten things back up. Stretch marks fade. I have them on my boobs and you really can't see them, unless I am underwater in the sun. Even then they aren't bad.

k_lynn8488 · April 2010

I know they happen and will fade a bit, but I hate them. I didn't have any before this and I hate that I have them now. If they don't fade enough, I see me paying some big bucks to make them fade as much as I can get them to.

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