body lotions during pregnancy

MrsJOSEnADRI · April 2010

I've heard that cocoa butter is the best, but I can't stand the way it smells. I've always used Aveeno as my moisturizer and it's what I've been using all along. But, IDK if it's enough to prevent stretch marks.

What did you girls use to prevent stretch marks and maintain the skin's elasticity?

LizC78 · April 2010

I used a cocoa/shea butter lotion.. It didn't smell as strong as the plain cocoa butter.

I don't have any stretch marks (and believe me I should- I gain massive amounts of weight with each child) but I believe they say it has more to do with genetics than anything else..

Either way I still slathered it on daily.

ReiszsPieces · April 2010

I've read that while lotion can't hurt and it'll make your skin feel better (relieve dryness, itching, etc), nothing will prevent stretch marks. Sorry! Someone gave me Palmer's stretch mark lotion that DH insists I use, lol. It seems to be working ok, no stretch marks yet, but who knows. Just use something you like! Hope you find something.

MrsJOSEnADRI · April 2010

That's true. I think I read somewhere that if your belly grows gradually and you don't have sudden increases in weight,then you'll be less prone to stretch marks. Either way, like Liz said, I want to make sure I slather on some good stuff daily.

MelanieJH1016 · April 2010

You'll either get them or you won't. It doesn't have anything to do with using lotions. I wish it did!! I lotioned up every day, and I thought i was in the clear, but after I delivered, I noticed stretch marks on my lower belly. I only gained 35lbs, so i feel like i shouldn't have gotten them! lol

allison8878 · April 2010

Ditto everyone else in that you either get stretch marks, or you don't. Fortunately, I didn't get them with Quinn and I haven't gotten any so far this time. I used cocoa butter (from the Body Shop) religiously the first time around but I can't handle the smell this time. I've just been using Cetaphil cream and I love it.

g8orell · April 2010

Hate to break it to you lades, but stretch marks cannot be prevented by lotions. I'm a dermatology PA and have read tons of research on it. It is mainly genetic and has to do with the amount of "elastin" in your skin. I never put any lotions on and luckily didn't get 1 stretch mark. My sister is obese and doesn't have any either...nor does our mom. Lotions will help with the itchiness as the skin stretches, but that's it!

ANJ410 · April 2010

There is no lotion that can prevent stretch marks. Every layer of the skin stretches, not just the surface where you apply lotion. Stretch marks start from way down deep in the bottom layer.

I slathered myself in coco butter when I was pregnant with Nicholas and even though my stomach was spared, my behind got tons of thin pink stretch marks, which thankfully faded so much I can hardly see them unless I really scrutinize. This time I just used my every day lotion (Eucerin) and didn't get any more stretch marks.

I do recommend using a nice thick lotion on your stomach though because it itches like crazy when it really starts stretching and body lotion seems to relieve the itch.

melly&jimmy · April 2010

I didn't like the scent of Palmers. I used Mother's Special Blend which is made of all natural oils from Whole Foods.

Albah · April 2010

g8orell:
Hate to break it to you lades, but stretch marks cannot be prevented by lotions. I'm a dermatology PA and have read tons of research on it. It is mainly genetic and has to do with the amount of "elastin" in your skin. I never put any lotions on and luckily didn't get 1 stretch mark. My sister is obese and doesn't have any either...nor does our mom. Lotions will help with the itchiness as the skin stretches, but that's it!

This exactly!!! More and more research shows it doesn't have to do with rapid weight gain and more on hormones! But lather up, still feels yummy!

southmiamiwifejen · April 2010

Ditto what everyone has said about it not making a difference

I used a body oil from Burt's Bees every day that had Vitamin C and almond oil and I still got them. I only gained 25 lbs. so I don't think it's a matter of how much weight you gain either. I think it's a combo of genetics, like the other girls have said, and how you carry the baby. I carried Emma straight out in front of me. I didn't grow a single inch width-wise and on the day I gave birth, you couldn't have even seen that I was pregnant if you looked at me from behind. But then I would turn around and I had this huge watermelon sticking straight out in front of me. My belly button, which was a total innie, popped totally out by 6 months of pregnancy. And I made it almost to the end without stretch marks, but right when I got to 36 weeks, almost overnight I got a ton of them all around my belly button where my skin was being stretched to the max. I never got them anywhere else, just smack in the middle of my belly, all around my belly button. Sucks

MrsJOSEnADRI · April 2010

=(

I think Retin-A and similar creams can help reduce their appearance (once you're not BFing). But, I was hoping to help prevent them. Oh well! I guess we'll see. The one thing I know I'm getting for sure are spider veins. My mom got a ton with me and I already have a few that will only get worse.

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