Stretch Mark Prevention

[GlebeGirl]

Sooo ... in the next few months I may be having an issue with stretch marks on my belly. :secret:

My question is: Are stretch marks preventable, or is that a myth? I'd been considering melting shea butter daily and massaging that in as a preventative measure, but if it's not going to do anything but waste my precious shea then I won't bother.

For those with personal experience, did you find that using a lotion or something similar made a difference? Or is it just going to happen to some and not others, no matter what?

[Poledra]

I have nothing to say about stretch marks. . . but. . . EEEEK! Congratulations! If the reason for stretchmarks is what I think it is. . EEEEK!

Poledra

[enitsirk]

Ooooh! Congratulations (going with Poledra here =p)!!

I swear I've read stuff on stretch mark prevention but I'll have to look around for it..and I've never been in a...situation where I had to think about it =p

[wavebaby]

Squeeeeee!!! (if it's what I assume it is!!! congratulations!):happy:

What worked for me during my 2, was coco butter, specifically The Body Sop coco butter stick (fits nic ely in purse). keeping that tummy well moisturized to accomodate expansion). Shea, other coco butters and moisturizers will undoubtedly work as well :happy:

[icydove]

Congratulations!!!

I think the "official" word is that they isn't much you can do about stretch marks besides trying to make your weight gain and loss as steady as possible. Genes has a huge deciding factor on stretch marks as well. However, many women swear by cocoa butter. It certainly wouldn't hurt and it might keep the "itchies" down.

[Amber]

I know that rosehip oil (diluted!) and emu oil are supposed to be good to fade stretch marks. Perhaps you could massage them in to your tummy to help prevent stretch marks?

I'm not sure if that would work, it's just a thought I had. It can't hurt, as long as you double check that these oils are safe during pregancy. You'll already probably be massaging your bump with the cocoa butter, so perhaps you could add the oils to the cocoa butter?

Congratulations! :flower:

[Elle]

Sooo ... in the next few months I may be having an issue with stretch marks on my belly. :secret:OMG!! Mong and Shelley are going to have a new sibling!! :happy: Congratulations to both you and A., GG! :whoohoo:

When my daughter was pregnant, she used Palmer's Cocoa Butter Formula, Massage Cream for Stretch Marks (http://www.drugstore.com/products/prod.asp?pid=58616&catid=26976&trx=PLST-0-SEARCH&trxp1=26976&trxp2=58616&trxp3=1&trxp4=0&btrx=BUY-PLST-0-SEARCH). It worked for her. She came through the entire pregnancy with nary a stretch mark. :happy:

[kimberlily]

GlebGirl, congratulations! When I was pregnant with my daughter, I was a big user of cocoa butter. I did get stretch marks, but they faded within a month of her birth. The cocoa butter stopped the itching though. Man, I thought I was going to scratch a hole in my belly, it was so darn itchy! So were my legs! Cocoa butter was the only thing that helped.

When I was pregnant with my son though, I had NO stretch marks and no itching at all.

[Rain]

Congratulations!!

I am the last person to give advice on stretch mark prevention. :::looks at belly::: I really think it's mostly genetics.

[GlebeGirl]

Thank you, everyone! We totally suspect that I'm pregnant, but haven't gotten the 'official' word yet. If I am, I'm just in the implantation phase and don't want to waste money on pregnancy tests too soon, so I'm going in to see the doctor after the weekend. If it turns out to be a false alarm (which I don't think it is), we're going to start trying for real, since we've discovered how very excited we are to have kids together.

As for stretch marks, I will probably buy the cocoa butter stick that wavebaby suggested, and also the Palmer's stuff on Elle's recommendation. I have a sneaking suspicion that I'll be the type to get them no matter what, though. Like Rain says, I think I'm genetically predisposed. The slightest weight gain causes them on me. Ah, well. For this, it will be worth it.

[Stephanie]

EEK! Congratulations!!! :D I'm hoping for you! :D

Emu oil all the way! Also, make sure your diet has plenty of oils in it (good fats are especially important for baby's brain development, too).

If you get really bad ones, we can compare. :rassberry: I call them my love marks. :lol:

[naj]

I remember having read somewhere to have a high protein(for collagen formation) diet and lots of fruits and vegetable with Vit C(Helps in collagen formation which is imp for skin elasticity). Alng with that exfoliation and moisturization will help a lot.
Congratulation to you...hoping for the good news!!
Naj

[jessie58]

Wow Glebe Girl, I hope all goes according to plan for you. I will hold my congratulations until you are certain, I'm a tad superstitious about these things.

I do believe that genetics plays a part in stretch marks, however, I've had 4 children and only have one tiny stretch mark on my lower abdomen, even though I put on tons of weight during pregnancy too. I strongly believe it was because of my moisturizing routine.

Here's what I did.

As early as possible, like today, start using a cream. I personally recommend cream and not oils. A cream especially designed for firming is best, but a less expensive good thick cream will do. Something that will absorb right into the skin. (I spared no expense on this during each pregnancy)
Each morning and each night spend 5 minutes massaging in the cream in to your stomach in upward circular motions and don't forget the breasts, they will get many stretch marks as they expand as well.
I did this daily without fail and I find it particularly important to continue this for a while after delivery. Take care not to apply cream near the nipples if breastfeeding.

I believe applying the cream is extremely important during the first trimester, not just when you are starting to show, because it helps your skin become supple in preparation for the stretching.

Another helpful thing to know is to wear a good sturdy bra during breastfeeding, both during the day and to bed at nights. No, don't groan, I swear, the more support you give the 'girls' while they are hugely swollen, the less sagging they're likely to have. I wore one day and night for months and ended up with pretty great breasts after 4 kids.

Now if this hasn't totally put you off of pregnancy, then best of luck to you, Glebe Girl please PM me any time with any pregnancy questions. I'd be happy to share my experiences with you.

ETA: don't forget to moisturize your butt too, as those dang stretch marks will appear everywhere you put on weight. LOL

[Suzie]

I really think genetics plays the biggest part.
Vitamin C helps with skin elasticity, though. Use some caution with taking lots of C in the first trimester since massive doses (like 6000mg or more) can be abortifacient. As a side benefit, I found though that taking alot (3000mg or so) of Vit. C in the last trimester helped with an easy delivery. I know that sounds really bizarre, but I've had five babies, and this last one (the one I took C with) was hands down the easiest by far. So, if it helps with the stretch marks too, you can't go wrong. :happy:

[jessie58]

I really think genetics plays the biggest part.
Vitamin C helps with skin elasticity, though. Use some caution with taking lots of C in the first trimester since massive doses (like 6000mg or more) can be abortifacient. As a side benefit, I found though that taking alot (3000mg or so) of Vit. C in the last trimester helped with an easy delivery. I know that sounds really bizarre, but I've had five babies, and this last one (the one I took C with) was hands down the easiest by far. So, if it helps with the stretch marks too, you can't go wrong. :happy:



Hey Suzie doesn't it just get easier as you go along, they just pop right out after 3 or 4. LOL.

[Mama D]

I used Palmer's Cocoa Butter on my belly and didn't get any stretch marks there. I didn't use any on my boobies and guess what? LOTS of stretch marks on the boobies. Also didn't use any on the sides of my waist and got one tiny little stretch mark on each side. So...it may be an old wives' tale but I'm still sticking with my cocoa butter in the future (and using it in more places next time).

Also I have to second the "good sturdy supportive bra" comment. I didn't think this would be very important for me because I've never been very large, but as it turned out I needed more support than I thought I would.

[Suzie]

Hey Suzie doesn't it just get easier as you go along, they just pop right out after 3 or 4. LOL.

Yup, that's what they tell me :lafhard: (Actually my fourth was harder than #2 and #3.)

[birdiefu]

Congratulations, GlebeGirl (crosses fingers) :whoohoo:. Definitely wear a supportive, comfortable bra all the time!! Once the boobies go down, there isn't much you can do for them. Regarding stretch marks- yes genetics is, I think, the major factor. Make sure you stay well hydrated, eat a balanced diet, and try to make the weight gain as gradual as possible (yeah right! :innocent:).

I'm not too sure how well external creams or lotions really work for preventing strech marks, but it sure can't hurt! When I was pregnant, I gained 50 pounds, used no lotion, ended up losing 60 pounds, and got no stretch marks. However I think next time I get preggo I will use some lotion or cream, since I doubt my body can do that more than once without falling apart.

[jessie58]

Congratulations, GlebeGirl (crosses fingers) :whoohoo:. Definitely wear a supportive, comfortable bra all the time!! Once the boobies go down, there isn't much you can do for them. Regarding stretch marks- yes genetics is, I think, the major factor. Make sure you stay well hydrated, eat a balanced diet, and try to make the weight gain as gradual as possible (yeah right! :innocent:).

I'm not too sure how well external creams or lotions really work for preventing strech marks, but it sure can't hurt! When I was pregnant, I gained 50 pounds, used no lotion, ended up losing 60 pounds, and got no stretch marks. However I think next time I get preggo I will use some lotion or cream, since I doubt my body can do that more than once without falling apart.


Oh yes I also think gradual weight gain is very important, it's those fast pounds that you put on that really cause the stretch marks to sprout.

[Rain]

Oh yes I also think gradual weight gain is very important, it's those fast pounds that you put on that really cause the stretch marks to sprout.

I only gained 30 pounds with my first pregnancy. That's not a lot of weight and I was right on schedule with all of it. I was still covered in stretch marks. I'm short and I have a short torso so my belly had a lot of stretching to do.

My mom is average height and has five kids. She had a few stretch marks but nothing compared with mine. She also didn't get stretch marks during puberty when she developed hips, boobs and thighs. I did so I think I was kind of doomed to get them anyway.

[GlebeGirl]

Well, I have bad news. I miscarried this week. This is my second miscarriage, so if it happens again we're going to try and find out if there's something medically wrong with me. I know that lots of people have multiple miscarriages, so I'm trying not to worry too much about that.

We're going to try again in a couple of months. It's been a pretty rough week here and I wish I had better news to share. I'm going to keep this thread bookmarked, though, as I'll definitely be needing it in the future.

Thanks for all the kindness! :flower:

[birdiefu]

Oh (((GlebeGirl))), tons of hugs for you! I'm so sorry to hear that it was a + and lost. You are right though, a lot of healthy women have early miscarrages- try not to stress too much about it. My thoughts are with you !

[Dulci]

oh Glebegirl I'm so sorry! (((((Glebegirl)))))

[Suzie]

I'm so sorry to hear about your loss. :sorry:

[Amraann]

Glebe I am very sorry.
My cousin who is pregnant with her first at age 40..
Had a miscarrage before this time and realized that she had probably had several but unlike the last time she did know she was pregnant.

Things will work out!! :)

[Stephanie]

I am so sorry. I have hope for you. *BIG HUGS*

[jessie58]

Glebe Girl, this is very sad news and very disheartening and upsetting for you. You must feel so low right now.

I just thought I would mention that one of my girlfriends miscarried three times and then had three wonderful children. A son and then two daughters who are all over 20 now.

My neighbor also miscarried three times and the next time she became pregnant with twin boys. Those little hellions are 5 now.

There is hope. I wish you well.

Hang in there sweet Glebe Girl. I wish we had those LHC hugs to send but I'll send you this kind instead xoxoxoxoxo.

[GlebeGirl]

Thanks so much, all of you. I'm physically fine now and go back to work as of tonight. Mentally I'm still sad and disappointed, of course, but things will be all right.

I know from my last miscarriage to not try and rush the 'getting over it' part. Last time I had people say things like, "Well, it wasn't too far along. Good thing you didn't have time to get attached." I thought there was something weird about me that I was so sad to have lost the pregnancy. Now I know differently, of course, and it's nice to have a lot of support here and in RL.

Thanks again! :grinhappy:

[icydove]

I'm *so* sorry. Like you said, give yourself time to mourn. (((hugs))) How rude of people to say something like that. Of course, you would be attached!

[rossjen]

Glebegirl, I am sending you a big hug.