I already had plenty from puberty/various weight gain in prior years, so I just assumed I was going to get them during pregnancy. My old ones faded and are barely noticeable these days, so I assumed my pregnancy related ones would do the same eventually.

I hate the feeling of having lotion on my body, so I didn't really apply creams or worry about preventing them while I was pregnant. Then I got pre-eclampsia and gained 40 lbs in the last three months alone and had major swelling all over...so I'm guessing no amount of cream could have done much to help that situation.

I'm 5 months PP now...and the ones I got from pregnancy are pretty sad and scary looking right now. So, at the advice of my dermatologist and just to help heal the skin, I've been applying a thick Aveeno lotion to my belly each day just to keep things moisturized while my body heals itself.

But overall, they really don't bother me! They are just a road map of what it took to bring my beautiful baby girl into the world. I'd take a million stretch marks any day if it means I get to be her mother.