Stretch mark prevention

Genetics definitely play a part but doesn't hurt to moisturize. I used Mama Mio and now I'm using Mambino Organics belly butter--love the smell of it. My stretch marks didn't happen til late 3rd trimester so yes at first I was gutted, but now have resigned to the fact that this bubba is just much bigger than my first and my belly just has grown outwards big time! I haven't gained that much weight and didn't get any marks in my first pregnancy. Part of being a mummy and glad they do fade. The itching has started later too and I just rub more belly butter to help with it.
 
I also asked my OBGYN about this and she said the same thing as Elle's - it depends on how quickly you gain weight and therefore how fast your skin's elasticity can keep up with you. My doc also mentioned that she found that younger women tended to get more stretchmarks, whereas older women did not...finally a perk to being more mature when you have your baby. :) I did get stretchmarks that I didn't even notice until the baby was born and my stomach started to deflate. They were on the lower sides of the belly below the belly button and I guess the stretched skin made them look/feel flatter (plus it's a harder area to see when your stomach is huge). But as many people noted, they fade significantly after birth, and you will not care about them as much as you thought you would pre-baby. I think having a child is such a joy that looking your 'best', whatever that may mean to you, suddenly falls far below in priority. Good luck to you!
 
I have 3 children and not 1 single stretch mark, I gained a normal amount of weight and attribute it all to good genetics. My mom I don't htink has any stretch marks (4 kids). My sister had only 1 or 2 (3 kids). I didn't really use creams. I only used body butter from body shop occasionally after a bath during the winter for the itchy dry skin. I don't think that had anything to do with the lack of stretch marks.
 
I had two big babies, and occasionally applied Bio-oil and never got any stretch marks. Think I was just lucky. In my view it is ALL about genetics and nothing to do with size of baby.
 
Thanks for sharing! Although it may not help, I'll still continue slathering on the anti-stretch mark cream in the lead up to the birth. At least I'll know that I've done everything I possibly could! :) I'm also hoping that I'll be as lucky as those of you who got zero stretch marks.
 
I used the mama mio tummy rub oil too and got no stretch marks. I applied it twice a day from about 3 months.
 
Hi - I used a belly band (as well as tight stockings) throughout both my pregnancies on the recommendation of my doctor. She believed this would help to 'keep things in place' by providing support as 'everything loosens up'.
Although I agree that stretch marks really depend on how quickly you gain weight and how fast your skin's elasticity can keep up, I didn't get any stretch marks and I think that the support band helped a little towards this as well as helping with recovery.
I didn't really use any creams in either pregnancy.
 

About this archive

This is an archive of over 20 years of GeoBaby and GeoSchools knowledge and discussions, kept online as a read-only reference.

Back
Top