Sadly stretch marks are usually hereditary (well something to do with how well the skin stretches/goes back seems to be) and are caused not only by the skin stretching, but also because of the hormones around at such times (e.g. during a growth spurt in puberty and at pregnancy). I doubt whether any kind of cream or oil will prevent stretchmarks if you are predisposed to them.
I did not get a single one with my last 2 children, so I'm hoping I won't this time either. My mum (who had 4 babies), my aunties and cousins etc did not get any either.
It's best to ask your own mum, sisters etc whether they got them to find out whether you're likely to as well.
The good thing about rubbing your belly with cream or oil though is that the baby is supposed to be able to feel and respond to this massaging. It should also make you feel better and your skin softer, so go for it - just don't be upset if you still get a few stretchmarks - these look quite purply/red at first but soon fade away to a much thinner, silvery-white version afterwards. A lot of people just view them as a "mark of pregnancy" and are nothing to worry about.
Oh, and I might have escaped stretchmarks thus far, but I have a huge linea nigra from my belly button down (I'm very pale skinned and its dark) and I've had it for years! I think I'd rather have a few stretchmarks that fade
I'm also "lucky" enough to have inherited the predisposition for varicose veins!
xxx
war wounds....
