To feel upset about these stretch marks? Will they fade? *pic included

[UltraArga]

I'm 37+6 so still might have a bit of growing to do. I only just realised these stretch marks. I swear they weren't there last week...

Are these really awful? Will they fade? I know that the fact I'm growing a baby is incredible and I would do it all again, but I can't help but feel a little sad... I don't trust when people say I can have a nice stomach again and that they'll 'barely be noticeable' in a year.

AIBU to feel a bit gutted?

I hated my stretch marks when I was pregnant, but while they haven’t faded completely they don’t look as bad as I thought they might post partum. Maybe treat yourself to some oil? 💛

@PumpkinSpiced I've heard that oils don't work? I cover myself in coconut oil head to toe every day anyway so always moisturise with the small hope it might help. I just dread what I'm going to look like after baby is born...

They are not awful at all and will fade to silvery very quickly once baby is born.

Can't even bring myself to get dressed in front of DP anymore!

When DD2 was born I saw my huge purple stretch marks in the hospital bathroom mirror. I was gutted as I thought they'd be that colour forever. You can really hardly see them now, they have faded to a silver colour.

It is gutting isn't it. It's such a huge change. I've gone from washboard lovely belly to tiger stripes!

Mine were horrendous, bright red, some ran from literally my triangle area up to my belly button.

1 year PP and they've all faded considerably. Still there but not bad.

I was the same op, they have faded so much I'm the only person who can see them now. While I had them for my first pregnancy I didn't for my second. Yours will be fine

Mine were worse and I hated them. They're all but gone now (just visible add silvery lines in some lights)

The colour will fade and the lines will shrink but you might always be able to see them a little.

But honestly, they’re minor compared with the ones I have. My stretch marks were so big I’m amazed I didn’t just burst open. Even now, some are as wide as my fingers, and my child is 3. I dread to think how thick they were when I was pregnant.

Adjusting to a post-partum body is tricky regardless. I’ve got no stretch marks but now have a prolapse that bulges out, lost half a lip somehow in forceps delivery/stitching up, and have a big scar across my perineum and up one bum cheek. I miss having neat bits, but I also have new respect for my body’s resilience so it’s swings and roundabouts.

I think the key is to be gentle with yourself. It’s ok to feel sad about your body looking different, but it’s also definitely ok for your body to look different. Give yourself time.

They don’t go, you will always see them but they will turn silver isntaead of being red or purple

Oil doesn't help - don't bother. The marks will fade but will always be there, sorry to say.

Plus expect your body to feel and look very different for a few months... but it does change after that with gentle exercise, good food and just some time. I always feel great pregnant and pretty awful postnatally... but I have to remind myself it's purely due to stupid expectations of the female body from media campaigns!

Mine faded a lot but they aren’t great TBH. DH doesn’t care at all. I find them ugly but I guess it’s just a side effect of having kids. I wasnt t overwieght when I had kids so I’m just blaming my skin.

It irritates me but it’s not important really.

It's the fact that I discovered them all at once as well as opposed to getting one and then a few more over time etc. It was a bit of a shock. Not sure why as by the looks of things they're normal!

I didn’t discover mine until after DS was born because they were right under the bump. They have faded very quickly to silvery grey- I honestly don’t think about them at all now.

I had a good stomach before pregnancy, and it’s ok now. Still quite toned, but not as good as before.

They honestly aren't too bad, and they will fade to white in time. The only person that will notice them in the future will probably be you.

They are a badge of honour, embrace them!

They will fade to a silvery colour and in time you will accept them as the marks of your journey through pregnancy. I hated mine for years and was embarrassed until I realised that so many women have them that it's not a big deal.

One thing I will say though is that it is incredible motivation to eat healthily and get back in to shape after baby is here!

Mine are still there 35 years later....sorry.

@madcatladyforever no need to be sorry! I'm never expecting them to disappear. The skin has separated now so am under no illusion that they'll go :(

Some people just get them badly. Why is that? Who knows. Why do some people have a nice pert bottom, lovely glossy hair, long eyelashes? Others have thin skin that is prone to stretch marks, cankles, or greasy hair? 
Try not to worry.

I've read that a zinc deficiency causes them to be more severe.