https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Sun, 03 May 2026 12:19:12 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/stretch-marks-1/page/2#post-241953 Tue, 31 Jul 2012 11:51:14 +0000 MrsMccarthy 241953@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I use the Bella Mama cream but as i said I am not counting on it to be the deciding factor. I know so so many women who used expensive creams and got em. I think it is good to use something because skin is so sensative and also make sure not to scratch your belly even when it starts to grow and itch like hell. I dont think women get them because they didnt use creams or didnt use the right creams. Some women get them and some dont. Another thing that i have heard can help in a very small way is to massage and stretch your skin alot daily. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/stretch-marks-1#post-241535 Tue, 31 Jul 2012 06:13:26 +0000 PrincessBaby 241535@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@FutureMrsMcK: I am still so traumatized today. Just wanted to tell you, haha. I placed a massive Amazon order yesterday for Mama mio stretch mark cream and the oil, and I may order some mustela in there too for extra good measure. Traumatized...lol. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/stretch-marks-1#post-241534 Tue, 31 Jul 2012 06:10:18 +0000 MsLipGloss 241534@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@CokieZombie: Vanessa is due in September . . . there are plenty of us September mamas (I am due Sept 6) that don't have any stretch marks yet. :)</p> <p>@Boogs: It is so inconsistent! On the one hand, we're told to suck it up and deal with it, while on the other, we are being offered magical solutions (lotions, oils, and belly binders, oh my!) to *deal* with it. </p> <p>ETA: Not that I am passing up any of the lotions, oils, or binders, mind you! :P </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/stretch-marks-1#post-241500 Tue, 31 Jul 2012 02:17:18 +0000 Chastenet 241500@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@cokiezombie: Hehe, she and hubby Lachey look so awkward in that photo that I barely noticed her baby bump ;) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/stretch-marks-1#post-241307 Mon, 30 Jul 2012 20:35:26 +0000 PrincessBaby 241307@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@cokiezombie: YES! And it looked very shiny! I actually ordered the Mama Mio tummy oil in addition to the cream when I saw her pic a couple of days ago. She is oiling that sucker up! Gotta be! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/stretch-marks-1#post-241300 Mon, 30 Jul 2012 20:30:00 +0000 cranberryapple 241300@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I was hoping to avoid them entirely since my mother didn't have any, but I started getting stretch-marks around the 37th week mark. I also wish I had pictures of them! I still have them but they're not as noticeable and not so bad to begin with. I had already accepted quite early on that I was going to be sacrificing my body and having to wear one-piece swimsuits for the rest of my life. I love those cute retro one-pieces though, so no biggee! :D </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/stretch-marks-1#post-241256 Mon, 30 Jul 2012 19:48:46 +0000 Mrs. Pen 241256@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@cokiezombie: Photoshop and laser surgery. If I could afford laser surgery to remove them - I would too! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/stretch-marks-1#post-241211 Mon, 30 Jul 2012 18:11:54 +0000 matador84 241211@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>wahh. i just got my first ones too at 33 weeks...i hate to complain about them because i know people have them way worse...but i just keep seeing them stretch and spread...ughhhhhh..... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/stretch-marks-1#post-241210 Mon, 30 Jul 2012 18:11:00 +0000 cokiezombie 241210@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Did anyone see the photo of Vanessa Minnillo and her baby belly? It's absolutely glowing with ZERO stretch marks. WHY OH WHY are only celebrities blessed with that gift? I bet she will be one of those mommies who kick back into shape a few weeks after the baby is born. Sigh. /end rant about being a normal civilian </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/stretch-marks-1#post-241209 Mon, 30 Jul 2012 18:09:41 +0000 SugarplumsMom 241209@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Sunglasses: OMG, that made me cry! Argh hormones! Thanks for sharing! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/stretch-marks-1#post-241208 Mon, 30 Jul 2012 18:08:17 +0000 loveisstrange 241208@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Coco Bee: mine is the same way. :(</p> <p>My stretch marks are beyond awful. I have a couple that are close to an inch wide. My skin will never, ever be smooth again. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/stretch-marks-1#post-241195 Mon, 30 Jul 2012 17:51:58 +0000 Boogs 241195@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MsLipGloss: Thank you! Your post also reminded me of the crap I got from a relative for wanting to use pain meds during birth and her spiel about the "pains of a mother." It would be nice if society taught us to embrace stretch marks, extra flab, and our choices. It would be so much nicer than trying to sucker us into lotions and oils that magically erase imperfections. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/stretch-marks-1#post-241185 Mon, 30 Jul 2012 17:41:14 +0000 Boogs 241185@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Sunglasses: So true, I try to remind myself of that often. :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/stretch-marks-1#post-241172 Mon, 30 Jul 2012 17:24:24 +0000 DigAPony 241172@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Tricycle: Nice! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/stretch-marks-1#post-241164 Mon, 30 Jul 2012 17:10:35 +0000 Mrs. Tricycle 241164@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@DigAPony: I was just going to post that link! :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/stretch-marks-1#post-241142 Mon, 30 Jul 2012 16:39:32 +0000 DigAPony 241142@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I don't know if you ladies know about this website already, but it has lots of great, poignant, honest entries and photos submitted by women who feel many different ways about their post-baby bodies.</p> <p><a href="http://theshapeofamother.com/" rel="nofollow">http://theshapeofamother.com/</a> </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/stretch-marks-1#post-241067 Mon, 30 Jul 2012 15:37:10 +0000 MsLipGloss 241067@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MrsSunglasses: That is beautiful. :)</p> <p>@FutureMrsMcK: Thank you so much for sharing! </p> <p>FWIW, I don't think you're vain. I *hate* that women are made to feel guilty or ashamed for mourning (even if for just a few minutes!) the loss of and/or the change to part of their physical identity . . . while your body is not who you are, it is part of who you are. </p> <p>I am currently 34.5 weeks and don't have stretch marks yet, but I anticipate getting them despite my best efforts to stay hydrated and moisturize like a mad woman. When/if I get them, I also anticipate crying my eyes out and being angry at the fact that in addition to everything else that women deal with in pregnancy, that they also deal with stretch marks. Yes, I am already totally in love with butterbean and would do anything in the world for her, but it is still mentally difficult to deal with the involutary physical changes along with all of the other changes, too. Mostly, I *loathe* the notion that somehow not loving every single aspect of pregnancy automatically makes you ungrateful or somehow less than any other mom/pregnant women. To me, there are 3 types of pregnant women: (1) those who truly have wonderful pregnancies and love (love love!) being pregnant, (2) those who don't love every aspect of being pregnant (there is a wide spectrum in this category), and (3) those who lie about it. </p> <p>I also think it's total crap that there are those out there who continue to perpetuate the myth that stretch marks can be prevented. *augh* These are the same asshats who use the word *ruin* or any other negative word to refer to the changes in a woman's body during and/or post-pregnancy. Pregnancy is a part of life, a process, and should be celebrated as such. </p> <p>*stepping off soap box now* </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/stretch-marks-1#post-240983 Mon, 30 Jul 2012 14:12:43 +0000 MrsMccarthy 240983@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@jholler25: creams have shown little to no affect in the vast majority of tests. they can't hurt but it's just a crap shoot i think. i know people whos moms had em and they didnt get em and whos moms didnt and they did. the creams don't hurt so rub em on but in the end i think we are all just gonna have to surrender to our bodies. Now that i am 35 weeks I am well aware that his growth spurt it upon us. If i get them i will post my bare belly too though because i really dont think they are as bad as all that usually. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/stretch-marks-1#post-240955 Mon, 30 Jul 2012 13:47:43 +0000 Mrs. Sunglasses 240955@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@FutureMrsMcK: ya, well i had them at 37 weeks. So i know the feeling. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/stretch-marks-1#post-240942 Mon, 30 Jul 2012 13:35:40 +0000 mrs. wagon 240942@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Guys, no one had it worse than me!! I had HUNDREDS all over my belly. Under my belly button you can't find a square millimeter of skin that is smooth. The entire surface of my lower belly is ruined by stretch mark damage. Then the ones above my belly button... they go all the way up to under my boobs, and at their worst they were about 3-4 mm wide, at least a millimeter deep, and DARK DARK REDDISH PURPLE. I went into a pretty bad depression about them after the baby was born because my stomach shrank back down so quickly, I had all this extra skin and the stretch mark damage looked even WORSE when the skin wasn't stretched out across my big belly. I even did hours and hours of research one day and went out and bought bio-oil and a loofah and went into the HOT shower and exfoliated until my entire belly was bright bright RED. That was probably not a great idea.</p> <p>I have to say, 2.5 years after having my first baby (and just having had my second) all of the stretch marks have faded to white and the ones above my belly are not very noticeable anymore. It just looks like my skin has slight light waves all over it. Below my belly button is still rough but at least the color is pretty uniform. But I still have lots of loose skin. I now understand why moms get tummy tucks! No matter how flat you get your stomach, you will still be flabby if you have extra skin like I do. </p> <p>I don't even wear bikinis, but I'm so vain and I really went through a lot with these stretch marks. I even got Wagon Sr. to agree to let me have laser treatments to them when i'm in my late 30s if I still feel badly about them, and he is hugely anti-surgery. So if I can get over them, anyone can. It just takes time! And once they fade to white you really can live with them. I promise!!!!!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/stretch-marks-1#post-240938 Mon, 30 Jul 2012 13:30:44 +0000 PrincessBaby 240938@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Has anyone ever looked into this cream by mama mio?</p> <p><a href="http://www.mamamio.com/us/body/goodbye-stretch-marks.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.mamamio.com/us/body/goodbye-stretch-marks.html</a></p> <p>I use the mama mio belly butter out of fear, bc I read so many reviews on it that raved...It's $35 and I go through it every 2 weeks or so! But fear keeps me on the hook.... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/stretch-marks-1#post-240934 Mon, 30 Jul 2012 13:29:06 +0000 Mrs. Pen 240934@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mrsjazz: I thought of that... but mine actually go up above my belly button :( </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/stretch-marks-1#post-240933 Mon, 30 Jul 2012 13:28:56 +0000 lovehoneybee 240933@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@jholler25: Ha, I feel like me and my belly have totally let you down, sorry love! </p> <p>@MrsMccarthy: I'll see if DH can get a good picture of my belly where you can see them. </p> <p>@Mrs. Sunglasses: I have a similar picture saved on my Pinterest that I've been pulling up...I know they'll fade and McBebe is totally worth it, but I was cautiously optimistic that since I'd made it so far I wouldn't get them...sigh...</p> <p>@Coco Bee: I've never used their firming cream, but I have a lot of Arbonne products (mostly facial stuff and makeup) and I really like it. I ever hosted parties for a while (score for free/discounted products!). </p> <p>Is it completely awful of me that I hope McBebe comes before they get worse?? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/stretch-marks-1#post-240931 Mon, 30 Jul 2012 13:27:07 +0000 Rainbow Sprinkles 240931@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Sunglasses: that made me cry. :(</p> <p>@OP you are going to think I am crazy, but I got stretch marks during my pregnancy, and was devastated at the moment, but now PP they don't bug me at all! I look at my beautiful daughter and I just think "you are so amazing you could have done whatever you wanted to my body and I will still be happy." For me, once I became I mom I became a lot more confident. I feel so fulfilled that my appearance doesn't matter to me as much anymore! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/stretch-marks-1#post-240928 Mon, 30 Jul 2012 13:24:06 +0000 mrsjazz 240928@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Coco Bee: I plan on rocking a vintage bikini next summer to cover up my stretch marks--which go up to my belly button. But I totally understand, the irrational part of me kept asking why couldn't my baby come at 37 weeks (no stretchmarks!) instead of 41. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/stretch-marks-1#post-240923 Mon, 30 Jul 2012 13:19:31 +0000 Mrs. Pen 240923@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrsbells: I have to start compiling a list of people I have to tell if it works lol!! I have so many friends who just got pregnant ;) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/stretch-marks-1#post-240918 Mon, 30 Jul 2012 13:16:19 +0000 Mrsbells 240918@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Coco Bee: Oh I see... goodluck with that! If it works for you please let us know so we can all buy bucketloads of it </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/stretch-marks-1#post-240912 Mon, 30 Jul 2012 13:11:55 +0000 Mrs. Pen 240912@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrsbells: No, I haven't. But I just bought the Arbonne Firming Cream and there were amazing reviews/testimonials that it works amazing for stretch marks and restoring the stomach to original elasticity. I don't have it yet - but I'm excited to try it. There is a 100% satisfaction guarantee, so the consultant told me if I don't love it, even if it's empty, I can return it.<br /> <a href="http://www.amazon.com/RE9-Advanced-Firming-Body-Cream/dp/B003DWKZ4S" rel="nofollow">http://www.amazon.com/RE9-Advanced-Firming-Body-Cream/dp/B003DWKZ4S</a> </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/stretch-marks-1#post-240910 Mon, 30 Jul 2012 13:11:41 +0000 DillonLion 240910@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I've gotten them my whole life and they always fade to white eventually, so I'm not really worried. I already had them all over my stomach before I even got pregnant, so this is basically nothing new for me. At least now I have something to blame it on besides weight gain ;) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/stretch-marks-1#post-240902 Mon, 30 Jul 2012 13:06:14 +0000 Mrsbells 240902@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Coco Bee: my belly is ridged too but definitely getting smoother than before I am 3months pp. have you tried mederma stretch mark therapy? My belly has defintely improved and I dont even use everyday like I'm supposed to </p>