My first stretch mark :(

[ToffeeForEveryone]

Feeling a bit sorry for myself, especially as this is likely just the first of many ...

I'm 23 weeks and my bump has got a lot bigger in the last couple of weeks. I feel ginormous and as of this morning I have a 1-2 inch red mark just below and to the right of my belly button.

I'm telling myself all the usual stuff about it's not important, no one will see it, it's worth it for the baby, etc. I'm not vain at all normally, but it's made me a bit gloomy that my body is literally getting so huge it is stretching apart :(

So, is there anything I can do to stop stretchmark gaining lots of friends? Already drinking loads of water and using bio oil twice a day.

Any miracle cures or just have to suck it up?

[Elfontheedge]

Suck it up really. One day you won't notice them at all

[ejclementine]

The good thing about bio oil is it will really reduce the appearance of stretchmark after birth.
I have no idea how likely it is to help, but I've convinced myself that the Omega capsule in Pregnacare is going to make my skin nice and oily/stretchy.

[Doublebubblebubble]

If you are going to get them... You are going to get them unfortunately. I have them. I dont care about them... And honestly once your baby is out and safe in front of you,you will not care either xx

[Focusfocus]

I hear you.

I'm just 12 days post birth and am delighted to be Breastfeeding my snugly newborn as I type.

But. I've just taken a photo of my belly and compared it to the photo of my belly at 2 months pregnant and I've cried today.

Won't post the photos. Shouldn't ever have taken the photos at all really.

Omega 3 capsules for the past six years, bio oil, tons of water, nothing helped. I too am not superficial, but it just seems surreal and unbelievable that in February I had my lovely belly and in October the same year it's ....this....this thing I've got, called a belly.

[SparklyTinselTits]

I was the same...I made it to 37 weeks without a single stretch mark. And then 5 days before DD was born, i got my first one...and a few more friends followed I thought my world had come crashing down but now they are mostly turning silvery-White rather than pink and are barely noticeable!! Once they are there, bio oil or other miracle cures won't get rid of them. I've heard that fake tan can help cover them though!

[luckiestgirlintheworld]

They're so beautiful! I love mine. I love getting a chance to wear a bikini so I can show them off.
Any chance you could get yourself to think more positively about them?

[Lemonfizzypop]

I've got quite a few now (40+5) and I actually don't mind them. I kind of knew I'd get them as I have them on my hips & boobs anyway etc. I started getting them at 37 weeks.
Eventually they fade to silvery and it's not like I'm gonna be getting my midriff out that much anyway.

I am using bio oil but I'm not convinced it actually does anything, but it smells quite soothing and it's nice and relaxing to rub it in before bed!

[Impatientwino]

Nothing you can do really - Don't worry though, they will fade, my ds is 3 and they are barely visible now - small and silvery despite being quite red and angry after birth.

I'm pg again now and am applying sweet almond oil from health shop each day because it makes my skin feel nice but not as I think it will do much!

I usually hate all the 'memes' that do the rounds on Facebook but one the other day stuck with me. It was a pic of a stretch marked tummy with the words 'For every woman unhappy with her postpartum marks there is another who would kill to have them'

[1frenchfoodie]

Don't forget, the way they look just after appearing is the worst they'll ever look. My OH has a fair few so I see myself as just catching him up ??

This post reminds me of my sister though. She was very happy not to have stretchmarks at 32wks having got very large. Then one day she texted me to say she'd just looked underneath her bump (she had no full length mirror at home) and got the shock of her life ?? poor soul.

Vey very good point impatient

[Whoknewitcouldbeso]

I have stretch marks from puberty and fortunately didn't get any with my DS. I have a feeling though with this pregnancy my bump seems to be bigger so I am anticipating them arriving in the third trimester and I shall just have to deal with it.

I've started slathering on the body butter but really my main advice to anyone is just try not to pile on the weight in pregnancy. Some women do get a hell of a lot bigger everywhere and this must contribute to a big bump.

[MrsCrimshaw]

So much sympathy. I looked in the mirror after having a shower today and saw purple lines on the lower half of my boobs. So depressing! I've been really good with the bio-oil and they just seem to have appeared in the last week for no reason! Call it vanity, but I am not happy :(

[LittlePie14]

I felt like this when I had weight gain, and one or two after I had 2 ahem enhancements. Baby oil or coconut oil after a shower helps them go silver. Don't be disheartened. These are mummy tiger stripes. A lot of us are waiting for our turn in life to gain them - where them with pride, I'm sure you look wonderful

[Skiptonlass]

There's nothing you can do to prevent them - the damage is done at a deeper skin layer than any oil or cream can reach. Moisturiser does make them less itchy but it doesn't stop them.

Roll with it, I suppose.. I'm covered in the buggers from belly button down (I'm petite and had a bump the size of a planet.) some are massive and had bleeds into them.

No point getting upset about stuff you can't alter, is my take on it.

[JennyC520]

I didn't even know I was getting stretch marks until my sister pointed them out (they were under my belly) at 29 weeks... then I started noticing more and more... was a little sad to begin with considering I still had 11 weeks left, which meant more stretch marks to come...I've been moisturizing and applying oil since week 12... Oh well.. it's gna happen!! Embrace it!