Preventing stretch marks

ashjenn · October 2014

Hello Ladies,

I know some of you have multiple children and have some wisdom to share. Although it's not always preventable what do you recommend to put on your body to help prevent stretch marks?? Thanks in advance!

jk3610 · October 2014

I'm a ftm so no experience. But i think it's mainly genetic. If your mom had them, you probably will too. I think some creams can be used to reduce their appearance but as far as "preventing" them, i'm not sure that's possible.

be888 · October 2014

Only genetic will help you. A steady gradual weight gain may help your body adjust gradually to being stretched in all direction. You can use lotion to help with itching or wait until after to get laser treatment or use creams to reduce their appearance.

yellowdaisies84 · October 2014

No, because you can't select your own mom.

The likelihood of getting stretch marks is based on whether or not your mom did. There is really only one thing we can do to reduce our chances of stretch marks: watch our diets. There are many reasons to eat healthily during pregnancy, and this is one of them. If you don't gain weight rapidly, you may be able to fool Mother Nature's destiny for you. Of course this is definitely NO guarantee, mind you, but it doesn't hurt to try.

You may hear that creams and oils prevent stretch marks. They definitely keep the skin moist, which may prevent SOME stretch marks. And asking your partner to do a nightly massage to apply them sounds great to me whether or not they work. But there are no guarantees here either! There is no one "wonder cream" that will prevent stretch marks (despite all the hype out there).

taahira · October 2014

I bathed in coco butter the first time thinking I would not get stretch marks. My tummy gave in around 33 weeks and I got stretch marks. Unfortunately you will either get them or you won't. Only genetics will tell you.

ally3242 · October 2014

It's not something you can prevent. It's genetic. All you can do is hydrate your skin to keep it comfortable and help with deep scarring.

I was really disappointed to get mine, I thought DH would be grossed out, it was embarrassing at first. Now neither of us even notice them. It's part of carrying a child....and they're worth it.

topaz7777 · October 2014

Slow steady weight gain. Which totally doesn't help genetics. I still got them. They fade some. It won't be the only thing about your after baby body you have to come to terms with either.

lneice0160 · October 2014

I got them before I was pregnant, from growth spurts, although I did get a few from pregnancy, my mother did not.

It helps the itching if you keep your skin well hydrated and I honestly believe cocoa butter and lots of vitamin e helps fade them out over time. About a year after my DD was born almost every stretch mark was almost unnoticeable.

kinseykinz · October 2014

I wish we could tell you you could avoid them...but that's up to God and your genes.

With my first pregnancy, I got them so bad they literally looked like the hands of God gripping my over-ripe belly by the end....I use to joke with my hubby that I should just get flame tattoos on my belly to disguise them. (I did not do this). Even now, years later when people, esp. women, see my belly (and yes, they did fade), they pity me. Seriously, I had them BAD. (And no, I didn't gain a lot of weight w/ my first or gain it quick...it's just my genes).

theinvadermothership · October 2014

I'm a bigger girl and had them already. I haven't gained a pound and in fact lost 12 in my first trimester.... and i have brand new tiger stripes all over my tummy.

fourthtimesacharm · October 2014

There are lotions out there that will moisturize your skin and diminish the appearance of existing stretch marks! There are also lotions that don't do jack. Check out reviews and good luck finding one that works right for you!

ejirobin · October 2014

I use vitamin e oil because my husband is convinced it will do the trick. But I'm a ftm so who knows if it works

bishbecraycray · October 2014

SharkFarts said:

Actually my mom never got them, but I did.

Me too. My OB was like oh they're genetic so you probably won't get them ! I slathered myself in cocoa butter and vit E oil anyway... and around 33 weeks with DS1 I woke up to tons of stretch marks. So I guess I'm just super lucky ?

shrkfan · October 2014

I'm at FTM but I have heard from tons of people who do have kids that raw cocoa butter is what helps your skin stretch.. I bought it on amazon, it comes in a block like regular butter and you need to melt it (it feels so gross but worth a shot). My mom doesn't have any stretch marks so I'm crossing my fingers!!

fourthtimesacharm · October 2014

@scoutfinch13‌ , maybe you just haven't tried the right lotion! I use one that my sisters, cousins and friends have used for stretch marks and scars and it works! I can give you the info if you want.

mhickey426 · October 2014

I put coco butter on with my first but definitely not every day. I used lotion because my belly was super dry. I didn't get any stretch marks and I thank my mom for that.

topaz7777 · October 2014

My mom didn't have stretch marks, and neither did my sister, but I did. And I used the lotion my sister gave me. FWIW.

mfouillard · October 2014

I used bio oil and other store bought lotions and body butter for growing belly. With my first daughter I didn't have any until 35 weeks, and just got a few right above my pant line and no higher than my belly button. With my second daughter they didn't grow luckily but did get dark again! They are finally all white and not that noticeable except for in some lights and sun but they will soon become dark again I'm sure! I also agree that it's genetic, I feel like if you are prone toget them already you will, lotions maybe helped a bit so I'd suggest still using them. It's a nice relief too when the belly gets really itchy to lotion! And don't scratch!:)

Cali2090 · October 2014

I know I am so shallow to be so worried about this but it has been a big fear about getting pregnant!!! I got them bad when I hit puberty and grew so fast and I am terrified my tummy will be covered by the end of my pregnancy! My stomach is one part of my body I have always liked

fourthtimesacharm · October 2014

@somerandomchick‌ Yes, if you looked at my previous comment, the stretch mark cream worked to reduce the appearance of existing stretch marks. I do not share genetics with my friends who also had great results using the cream. I understand being skeptical, like I said in my first comment there are several creams out there that don't do jack. I was just encouraging those who are interested to do the research because there are some creams that do work.

nechmielewski · October 2014

This is baby #2 and my belly still looks like a zebra is disguised on it. I used this to help with the itching though and it was a life saver: https://www.amazon.com/Earth-Mama-Angel-Baby-Natural/dp/B000JVA80C

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