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September 2015 Moms
BrianaJ0917
member
What is everyone doing for stretch marks?
BrianaJ0917
member
So for all you mamas trying to prevent stretch marks, what methods are you using?
I have been trying to use the Palmer's cocoa butter stretch mark lotion but this crap STINKS!!!
I would love to hear any other recommendations y'all might have! And any STMs that have used something before if you think it helped or if it's not even worth it!
I have been trying to use the Palmer's cocoa butter stretch mark lotion but this crap STINKS!!!
I would love to hear any other recommendations y'all might have! And any STMs that have used something before if you think it helped or if it's not even worth it!
Re: What is everyone doing for stretch marks?
I'm doing cool showers, lots of coconut oil head to toe, lots of water (although that one is tough for me!) and cocoa butter on occasion. Gaining weight slow and steady is key. Good luck!
I got this from webmd
"Is Prevention Possible?
Unfortunately, there’s no way to prevent stretch marks. There’s not a cream, lotion, or “mommy” balm that can do that -- and if that’s the claim on the bottle, don’t be fooled, Lupo says.
It's always a good idea to keep your skin hydrated with a rich lotion or cream, Lupo says, especially if it makes your skin feel better, look smoother and more toned, and helps the itchiness that can come with your growing belly."
Edited for spelling
https://pinterest.com/pin/266416134183338875/
Also, a steady weight gain and staying hydrated can HELP with SOME stretch marks. But, for example, your stomach is going to grow, regardless of the amount of calories you take in. And if your predisposed to stretch marks, there's nothing you can do to prevent them from occurring on places like this that are going to grow no matter what you do.
I've literally never heard of a doctor saying that genetics have NOTHING to do with getting stretch marks while pregnant and that there COMPLETELY avoidable during pregnancy.... Depending on OUR choices. Some women's skin is more suseptable to stretch marks than others... Everyone isn't in the same category.
Also, you don't have to have "triplets" in order to warrant stretch marks. Every single woman I know who's gotten stretch marks on her stomach due to pregnancy has had ONE child... 40-90% of pregnant women get stretch marks during pregnancy so insinuating that stretch marks are completely avoidable is completely false. They are NOTHING to be ashamed of and most likely, most of us will get them.
My advice to everyone is to accept that your body is going to change and embrace it. Stretch marks will fade, they really aren't that big of a deal, and statistically most of us will get them regardless of the preventative measures we take. Plus, staying hydrated and fit are things we should all be aiming for during pregnancy anyways, so if it ends up helping reducing stretch marks that's a bonus!
Edited for spelling & to add last sentence
I was just simply explaining what my doctor told me, that if you want to say it's "genetic", that's fine, but it really is just the speed at which your skin stretches, regardless of whether stretch marks are common in your family. Our skin is part of our genetic makeup which came from our parents, so yes, in that sense you can say it's genetic.
As I said, there are SOME unpreventable stretch marks, like the ones that occur when your breasts grow a cup size within a few weeks! Your skin stretched fast and no amount of water, exercise, or lotion will stop that. That is NOT what my doctor was saying. Her point was simply that they can be prevented if you keep your skin moisturized inside and out and gain weight slow and steady, which is the healthiest way to do it anyway, so there's no reason to argue with that logic. No, you don't have to be having triplets to have your skin stretch dramatically, but the point was that a woman having multiples is going to deal with much more rapid stretching than the rest of us, so is more likely to get those "unpreventable stretch marks".
I realize it's a sensitive topic for some people, but the poster wanted to know what she could do for stretch marks and I think it's perfectly fair to share my doctor's advice. It isn't fool proof, and I don't think anyone expects a miracle lotion to prevent their stretch marks. As you said, our skin is going to stretch regardless of the calories we take in or the water we drink, and my doctor's point was that our skin is designed to stretch. It stretches with us from birth to adolescence and throughout pregnancy, we just have to take extra good care of our bodies and skin to limit the battle scars left behind.
You know a lot of moms that got stretch marks while pregnant, I know a lot that stayed super fit and drank nothing but water and prevented any stretch marks, so our opinions are different based on experiences. You don't have to agree with me, I didn't say I had a miracle solution.
This is just the guidelines that I'm going to follow to try to prevent them to the best of my ability and my doctor agrees that it is the best course to take.