Stretchmarks - have I caused them?

[fanjobiscuits]

Am 34 weeks and woke up this morning to discover loads of stretchmarks under my bump. My first lot and a huge crop :0(

We had visitors this weekend and I ended up not getting to eat much until dinner then being starving hungry and stuffing my face. We then walked for about a mile (very slowly) which I didn't really feel like doing as I was stuffed but felt it would be impolite not to have done so. Am now regretting this as I wonder if this has caused them.

I also did some pre-natal stretching exercises yesterday which thinking back I am wondering could have also contributed?

Am not sure if I am being paranoid and they would have happened anyway. Any advice on how to minimise future ones (if it goes on like this my whole stomach is going to look like a field that has been ploughed in no time)? Or to help heal/minimise appearance of the ones there are so far?

[Wishfulmakeupping]

I think if you're going to get the you will no matter what you do- I used coca butter religiously And didn't get too big (was already big to start with) put on 16 lbs in pregnancy and still got a load of stretchmarks. Use bio oil after birth and try not to dwell knot too much :)

[Guntie]

You certainly did not cause them. Unfortunately they seem to just be genetic. You certainly would have got them regardless. I am sorry, it must have been a shock

[fanjobiscuits]

Thankyou Guntie and Wishful. Have to admit I had a bit of a cry this morning when I found them so really nice to be able to come on mumsnet for some support from people who understand. Stretch marks are no fun but I guess they aren't terrible in the grand scheme of things...

[ButteryJam]

I suspect they would have happened anyways when you go to 38-39 weeks. I got my 1st ones at 38 weeks and know of others who did too, so don't worry. Just start using stretch mark minimising cream from now, I've got the mama mio stretch mark lightening cream (can't remember the exact name)

[Wishfulmakeupping]

Bless you please try not to be upset they will fade my dd is 15 weeks and they are already a lot lighter and if they are lower down like mine your knickers will hide them :) good luck with pregnancy OP

[MrsSpagBol]

Bio Oil is your new best friend.

[fanjobiscuits]

Thanks all

[MrsSpagBol]

Please be religious with the Bio Oil - it really does work but you MUST stick to it.

And no I don't work for them but I have loads of burns and marks from pro kitchen ovens and they always fade when I start my Bio Oil war against them but you MUST Bio Oil them daily (twice a day if you can remember) and the sooner you get going the better.

Also recommend Mamma Mio stretch mark butter thing but at £23 a pot I am rationing it like mad.

[MrsBri]

Bio Oil is half price on Amazon right now too.

I've been using normal moisturiser for a while after my Mum & Bump cream ran out, but have just started on the Bio Oil (no stretch marks yet, but still time as 35+4 today).

It's quite nice to use too.

I hope you find something which works.

[Fakebook]

No you didn't cause them that way! Although scratching can cause them I think. Think of an inflated balloon and scratching it with a pen and then deflating it.