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Belly Balm: When to Start

kesryakesrya member
in Natural Birth

I've had a lot of friends and patients with great results from belly balms ... in this area Burt's Bee makes a good one, as well as a local company called Biggs and Featherbell.

 

But when do you start using it for it to be effective?  Should I wait until I start developing a belly, or use it now in the first trimester to get the skin ready?

It's not cheap ;)

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Re: Belly Balm: When to Start

  • duncanpowersduncanpowers
    Honestly, if you're going to get stretch marks, you will. It's genetic in how your skin's fibers separate and grow to accommodate the baby. But it can't hurt to use, either way, moisturizing your skin is always good. So it doesn't much matter when you start using it, just when you feel like it :)
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  • MrsTiaraMrsTiara
    I started as soon as I got pg, just to get into the habit.  I really, really like the one from L'Occitane en Provence, it's $40, but it does last a long time.  And as many times as I hear it's genetic whether or not you get stretch marks, I'm still not taking any chances!
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  • fabbate13fabbate13 member

    I've been using Coconut Oil since I found out I was pregnant. 

    Again, I'm under the impression it's genetic as well, but it's still awesome for your skin.  I use it as an all over body moisturizer.  I will continue to use it post pregnancy because I love what it's done for my skin.

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  • kesryakesrya member

    I've heard the genetic thing about stretch marks as well as other pregnancy related side effects (nausea/vomitting, length of labor, etc.) but have not seen it borne out in my experience with patients.  What I do see borne out is a tendency for blood-related females who live the same lifestyle to experience similar symptoms, and this could be why so many people feel it is genetic.

    This brings up another thing I am learning/experiencing in regards to lifestyle.  I have also read that first trimester symptoms are less related to the gender of the baby and more related to the mother -- again stating that genetics are a factor and you will have the same symptoms, to a greater or lesser degree, with each pregnancy.  In my own limited experience this couldn't be further from the truth.  My first pregnancy, when I was living a horrendously unhealthy lifestyle, was torturous in terms of nausea and vomiting and abdominal cramping.  Ten years later, and an entire lifestyle change later, I have not even come close to vomiting once, and my nausea is so mild I mostly think it's coming from the foods I eat which would make me nausea even if not pregnant.

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  • mghnmousemghnmouse member
    imagekesrya:

    I've had a lot of friends and patients with great results from belly balms ... in this area Burt's Bee makes a good one, as well as a local company called Biggs and Featherbell.

     

    But when do you start using it for it to be effective?  Should I wait until I start developing a belly, or use it now in the first trimester to get the skin ready?

    It's not cheap ;)

    I use the Burt's Bees Mama Bee Belly Balm, and I LOVE it! I used more sparingly in the beginning, just after my bath at night, really. But now I use it a lot more, 2-3 times per day. I also really like their Mama Bee leg and foot lotion, it encourages circulation, and has helped me with my late afternoon swelling.

    Mom to 3 wonderful Free Birthed kiddos
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  • skyejoskyejo member
    I love the Mama Bee belly balm! I slather it on twice a day and have since around 20 weeks.  Even if stretch marks are all genetic I'll still use the stuff because mentally it makes me feel good that I'm at least trying to stop those pesky marks from appearing :)
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  • kelleylkkelleylk

    imageduncanpowers:
    Honestly, if you're going to get stretch marks, you will. It's genetic in how your skin's fibers separate and grow to accommodate the baby. But it can't hurt to use, either way, moisturizing your skin is always good. So it doesn't much matter when you start using it, just when you feel like it :)

     

    This is how I feel.  Don't waste your money.

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  • 3003girl3003girl member

    I love biggs & featherbelle! I got some of their products at a handmade fair in pittsburgh. I am totally for supporting handmade/local products! It's worth the price.

    Anyway, I used a local handmade shops "body sugar scrub" throughout my pregnancy, and I can tell you that it made my skin super smooth and feel great. (because it's pricey, I used it on my belly and hips/butt, and the areas I used it were smoother than the rest of my body) 

    I did not get stretch marks, but I doubt it was because of any product - I think you just get them if you are meant to get them. 

    Good luck!

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  • AllieJeanAllieJean

    Dont waste your money. If you actually do some research on this you will find out that they dont work. I knew this but I wanted to try them anyway, I used burts bees, palmers, and avon clinical-each one once a day from the time I found out I was preg until it became a lost cause. Now my stomach looks like a zebra.

    Sorry to be debby downer, but if you are ment to get stretch marks there really isnt anything you can do to prevent them.

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