Stretch marks in pregnancy

[1sttimemum2b]

I'm almost 21 weeks pregnant and i haven't got any stretch marks from pregnancy yet( my bump isn't very big).

When do stretch marks normally kick in? Asking because I would be very prone to stretch marks anyway and get them in my legs and arms and hips if i put on weight etc.

I'm trying to be preventative as possible (i know I'm envitably going to get them) by using Palmer's cocoa butter and bio oil.

Is there any other recommendations of any products which reduces appearance of stretch marks? And what is best to use post pregnancy for stretch marks?

I saw my cousin's stomach after her baby as it is the worst I've seen and she said she didn't use any products and i know i sound vain but it would really knock my confidence if i was left really bad with marks.

 

[firstfreakout]

I'm worried about the same thing. Most of the women I've spoken to recommended coconut oil. A woman at work has had three children and she said she doesn't have one stretch mark because she used it every day during pregnancy. I've been using that and burts bees mama butter

 

[Browneyed Girl]

Everything I've read says that creams don't prevent stretch marks, you'll either get them or you won't. I was very fortunate and didn't get any in my first pregnancy and have none now at 34+3, I think it's hereditary though as my mum didn't get them either and she had 3 babies x

 

[Emily0505]

I'm afraid there's nothing you can do to prevent them. Moisturisers etc don't penetrate the skin deep enough to have an effect. Best thing you can do is try and stay well hydrated but I'm afraid if you're going to get them you'll get them regardless. They'll fade over time once baby is here.

XX

 

[Rose83]

I've read the same - it's genetic, you either get them or you don't. It wasn't til tri 3 I got them with my first and moisturising did nothing to prevent it. With my second he was huge and so was I and I was left with huge marks and I expect this one will make them worse. I don't really think about them though - I'm more concerned with the baby weight I haven't lost x

 

[Onedaysoon25]

I'm prone to stretch marks too and with my first I was so worried. I didn't get them till I hit 36 weeks and I only had a few on one side about an inch in length so you can barely see them. I was really surprised I got off so lightly.
I'm much bigger this pregnancy so I am preparing for the worst!
As everyone else has said there is nothing you can do, you will get them or you won't. Though apparently age is a factor, if you're going to get them the younger you are the worst they will be. Something to do with elasticity in the skin x

 

[Elspeth]

It might be a load of rubbish but i read something that talked about making sure your diet was full of good fats, so the skin cells were nice and supple and could stretch??

Didn't get any in my last pregnancy, but I've never had a stretch mark in my life so probably is genetic.
I'm not sure what proportion of pregnant women do and don't get them?

 

[JulyBug]

When would stretch marks start to show? I'm 23 weeks and nothing yet.. like Elspeth, I've never really suffered with them so maybe it is a genetic thing. I am applying Bio Oil every other day though just because my belly gets so itchy from all the stretching I find it relieves it a little!

xx

 

[Bythesea]

I didn't get stretch marks until a week before my first baby came......then they've got worse and earlier with both my subsequent pregnancies. Don't think it's genetic, just down to luck/bad luck, the way your skin stretches, how big you get....etc etc. Bio oil helps with itching but no science or proof it prevents stretch marks x

 

[1sttimemum2b]

Yeh i know with genetics i will 100% get them but what I'm trying to say is i want to lessen how bad they are as much as possible so will try anything even if it doesn't work i want to know I'm not going to be left riddled with them

 

[Emily0505]

There's nothing you can do though to either prevent or reduce them. My mum didn't get any stretch marks when she was pregnant but I got them. For many women it's all part and parcel of pregnancy, so you just have to deal with it as best you can I'm afraid.

They don't look the nicest when they're all purple to start with, but they will fade and go silvery white over time and be a lot less obvious.

XX

 

[B81292]

Yep I'm proof there's nothing you can do. I used creams galore bio oil . Come 30+ weeks I was covered in them. They've faded a little now but sometimes it is genetic. My mum had loads from me so she's less than sympathetic ha

 

[1sttimemum2b]

Thanks guys. Just hoping then I'll not get many

 

[redbear]

Unfortunately there really is no magic potion, the ladies are right the creams will help sooth and maybe the redness but it doesn't go deep enough to stop them. No harm in trying. It's a mix of genetics, luck and I'm guessing how big you get and how you stretch.
They fade over time and to be honest you kind of forget about them. Xx

 

[Tigeress]

I got a few on my tummy but nothing serious, I didn't use anything either, I put a random moisturizer on once I think lol. But I kinda went with the idea "you either get them or you don't" mine are already fading to, so I was lucky xx

 

[Pemsy]

I have lots of friends that just didn't get them so try not to worry about it. You may be one of the lucky ones. I intend to use either Bio oil or the Cocoa Butter oil if I feel it's needed x

 

[ams25]

I've used Palmers cocoa butter (solid formula) religiously in all my pregnancies and didn't get any stretch marks in my first, and only one mark next to my belly button in second pregnancy despite them both being over 9lb babies, no marks yet this time. So I would definitely recommend that product. I do think it's down to luck and genetics aswell though as my mum didn't get any. My pelvic floor on the other hand leaves a lot to be desired haha! Can't have everything I suppose! Xz

 

[Leighwiltshire]

i was using bio oil religiously - till i read it doesn't actually do anything to help lol

i think its down to genetics, how quick the baby grows and your age. im nearly 30 weeks and i havent any on my tummy or sides, but the ones i previously had on my thighs are there and changing colour.

my bump is tiny, everyone says he will have a big growth spurt - so i will end up with stretch marks i would have thought xx

 

[Julia_B]

It might be a load of rubbish but i read something that talked about making sure your diet was full of good fats, so the skin cells were nice and supple and could stretch??

Didn't get any in my last pregnancy, but I've never had a stretch mark in my life so probably is genetic.
I'm not sure what proportion of pregnant women do and don't get them?

Yeah!! I was also told that!! good fat: avocados, cooking with coconut oil, etc. I'm actually doing it... let's see

 

[mellie_88]

With my last baby I didn't have any stretch marks until about a month before he was born and then I ended up covered in them by the time he arrived. I now have a very striped shiny tummy.