I am 9w 4d, and depending on the time of day,have a little bit of a pooch. As it all starts to feel more real, I am starting to think about stretchmark prevention. Any remedies that you feel really worked to help prevent, or at least minimize stretchmarks? Coconut Oil, Vitamin E, BioOil?
Any advice on what to buy (and what's snake oil!) is appreciated!
cantaloupe / 6869 posts
I used Mama Mio Tummy Rub Oil and Cream. I got stretchmarks at 39 weeks. You either get them or you don't... sadly.
cantaloupe / 6059 posts
@rahlyrah: Agreed. I thought I was mostly in the clear and then at 36 weeks got my first stretch mark and by 40 weeks my belly was absolutely covered. When looking at the experiences of my friends, it seems like you either do or you don't and using creams/oils etc. didn't really help.
GOLD / pineapple / 12662 posts
It's a total crap shoot . . . all you can do is wait and see. I used L'Occitane's Almond Supple Skin Oil pretty much every day starting in the second tri, gained 60 pounds, and didn't get a single stretch mark. *shrug*
wonderful pear / 26210 posts
Look at your mother for your best estimation of how your skin will react.
Mine are all gone, but I am also three years post partum and have good genes there!
persimmon / 1420 posts
My mom rubbed coco butter on her belly daily- no stretch marks. I did nothing- no stretch marks. It's genetic, I'm thinking. 
pineapple / 12526 posts
Agreed. It's genetic.
Lotion and drinking lots of water. Thats about the best you can do. Don't invest too much money in it.
grapefruit / 4862 posts
LOL my first thought before opening this thread was "don't get pregnant!" haha. @knittylady: great minds!
I just felt better always keeping my skin lotioned. But I have stretchmarks. It's genetic. It happens or it doesn't. Just take care of your skin and that's the best you can do!
GOLD / pineapple / 12662 posts
@looch: I fully expected to get them because my mom got a few. It was a nice surprise.
GOLD / wonderful apricot / 22646 posts
I'm another believer that it's just luck or genetics.
i didn't use any special creams/oils/etc. and didn't get any marks even tho i gained 40 lbs. but i have stretch marks from puberty that are still there albeit white, and i'm 31 later this year.
pomegranate / 3565 posts
I agree that it's totally genetic and perhaps a bit of luck. I don't think any lotion, oil, etc will help if it's in your genes. I moisturizer my tummy daily morning and night with my first and still got them. And they didn't come out until after I had the baby. You could see no stretch marks during my whole pregnancy! And I also got them on my hips and butt. Now with the second, I don't have the time to care that much!
grapefruit / 4671 posts
I don't think there is anything you can do prevent them. I got some but they have all faded into obscurity. They pretty much went away after about 7 months or so.
squash / 13208 posts
If you have a sister who has been pregnant ask her if she got them - if she did you most likely will too! or ask your mom
My mom never got them, nor did my sister, or me!
wonderful kiwi / 23653 posts
Interesting... Will ask my mom next time. I def have seen stretch marks on her, but not too terribly I think.
pomelo / 5093 posts
Luck, purely. Gaining less weight than more is also helpful, sometimes, but even that doesn't matter so much.
cantaloupe / 6131 posts
I would keep moisturized, whatever you use, just because the ITCHINESS comes before you actually see the stretchmarks. Slather up anything that might stretch - thighs, hips, boobs, armpits, arms, etc. - or you will be scratch, scratch, scratching all the time!
cantaloupe / 6692 posts
I used cocoa butter. It didn't help in the slightest....I'm a zebra now! But it did keep my skin from itching and made it look healthy.
Definitely use some kind of moisturizer, but don't expect much!
hostess / papaya / 10540 posts
Better genetics. Otherwise nothing is guaranteed unfortunately.
pomegranate / 3580 posts
I agree with PP that it's mostly genetic. My mom didn't have any and at 38 week I don't (knock on wood) but I'm also all for trying lotions! I've been using the Burt's Bees Mama Butter my entire pregnancy and it keeps my skin super moisturized.
persimmon / 1135 posts
I've been using the honest company belly balm and so far nothing, but I'm not really prone to getting them so I'd go with he genetic thing too
pomegranate / 3580 posts
Ok, so I toooootally jinxed myself by posting on here yesterday and I had a patch of little tiny marks pop up LITERALLY overnight (38w6d) 
cantaloupe / 6869 posts
@fussygal: The same thing happened to me at 39w4d.... and I gave birth only 4 days later... I was soooo sad.
pomegranate / 3580 posts
@MrsKoala: So frustrating - lol! I hope that means she's coming soon!
persimmon / 1273 posts
I use lotion and oil 2-3 times a day and my mom never got stretch marks, but I have so many that I swear my stretch marks are getting stretch marks. It's a crapshoot.
pomegranate / 3350 posts
I heard that a big part of it is just staying well hydrated (and genes - but you can't do anything about that). I use cocoa butter anyway. Even if it doesn't help stretch marks it makes my skin a lot less dry and itchy.
nectarine / 2765 posts
Like others have said, I think it's a complete crapshoot & genetic. I used mama mio oil & lotion & thankfully came out unscathed. And I was pretty certain with twins my stomach would be a hot mess afterwards.
pomelo / 5000 posts
I think a big nada. Doesn't mean you can't pamper yourself to feel better!
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