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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

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Original poster

Can I ask you about your stretchmarks or lack thereof?

67 replies

BalloonSlayer · 22/03/2011 12:37

A comment on the One Born Every Minute thread last night got me thinking about stretchmarks.

I have got stretchmarks on my thighs and bum from when I hit puberty. They are very pale and silvery now. I didn't put on a huge amount of weight in puberty, I was a very skinny teenager.

I have had three DCs, one of which was very large, and I did not get a single stretchmark.

I was 35, 37 and 43 when I had my DCs.

My question is - did I not get stretchmarks because I was an older mother? I am obviously a person who can and does get them, as at 16 I looked as if a cat had clawed my arse.

So could it be that you are more prone to getting them when you are young?

What's your experience? Come on, blow my theory out of the water, I can take it...

OP posts:

nunnie · 22/03/2011 12:40

I have none as of yet, had DD when I was 28, DS 31 and this one I will be 32 when it comes. I can't say that I won't get them this time though until the bitter end.

I have some on my thighs which I think came when I was still at school but can't be certain, but they were there before I got pregnant.

Katiebeau · 22/03/2011 12:40

Hello, actually I agree. I have never been overweight but as a teen got tonnes of SMs on my thighs and bum!!! As a pregnant lady 2St 10lbs heavier at the end and a huge bump - nothing. I was 37 when DD was born.....

ethelina · 22/03/2011 12:40

I think its got to do with how quickly you balloon out. Slow stretching over time is much less likely to result in major stretchmarks than popping out suddenly. (says she who has no real idea)

I had no stretchmarks at all through pregnancy and I was very smug until 3 days after when I saw some in the mirror which had appeared as my stomach went down

ethelina · 22/03/2011 12:40

I was 33 when pregnant btw

boosmummie · 22/03/2011 12:41

Mmmmm I wonder, your theory may not be crap .

I had three DCs in my early/mid twenties and with DD1 got shit loads. Got a few more with DD2, but none with DS. Had DD3 at 38, my stretch marks had faded significantly enough for me not to give a damn about them, but was concerned I may get more. But didn't. Not one single shiny stretch mark.

So, I'm with you on that.....let's see!

thaigreencurry · 22/03/2011 12:43

I think it is to do with age. I had both babies in my thirties and I have very few stretchmarks I put on a helluva lot of weight and didn't bother with creams because I don't believe they work. Still I would happily swap a few stretch marks for my old fat saggy belly that I am currently using as a coffee table/laptop desk.

BooBooGlass · 22/03/2011 12:43

I had dd when I was 20 and am covered in them. I had ds 4 years later and didn't get any new ones, despite him being much bigger. TBh, I think dd had done such a thorough job of stretching me out there was not really much space for any new oens anyway. MIne are the worst I've seen on anyone (except my mum I guess, which makes me think it is genetic) but I know peopel don't generally go showing each other their battle scars.

eastegg · 22/03/2011 12:46

I've never heard this theory but thinking about it now there might be something in it. All I can add to the evidence is that I was 35 when had first DC and had not a mark on me, while my 22-year-old cousin had terrible stretch marks. Am PG again now so I'll be gutted if I get them this time!

boosmummie · 22/03/2011 12:48

BooBoo mine are up there too!!!! But 18yrs down the line from DD1 they have faded superbly. 10 years ago I would have done anything to have them removed, but tummy tuck was out the question as I knew I'd want another baby some day.

ItsMeYourCathy · 22/03/2011 12:50

I too have some on my thighs and bum (white, pale) from when I grew as a teenager - v. skinny kid to having T and A overnight

I am 38 weeks and I have a couple of weird marks around my belly button where I'd had it pierced and let the hole close up. Where the skin has stretched around that its quite purple and itchy but I'm assuming that'll go later.

I have SLATHERED on the palmers cocoa butter and an oil from ASDA mums range since I was about 10 weeks. It has helped witht he itching but my Dr told me its down to genetics. My mum has none.

ItsMeYourCathy · 22/03/2011 12:50

And I'm 29 by the way.

ng1412 · 22/03/2011 12:58

I am really hoping your theory is right!

Am 33 weeks and no stretch marks yet, I am 41 yrs old by the way so was fully expecting them in droves. Of course this may all change in a couple of weeks but I am living in hope.

Chandon · 22/03/2011 13:04

My obstetrician told me your theory is right.

stripeytiger · 22/03/2011 13:17

I was 36 & 38 when I had my DCs - and don't have any. Had a few as a teenager exactly as OP describes.

flippineck · 22/03/2011 13:34

I've always wondered about stretchmarks too.

I had loads as a teenager (puberty hit me hard and fast and then I discovered beer and no excercise ), mostly on my hips and boobs, and some on my inner thighs and inner arms; they are all faded and very silvery now, and don't bother me. I'm now pregnant with my third child; in my first pregnancy (aged 30) I had no stretchmarks at all and in my second pregnancy (aged 33) I thought I had none until about 3 weeks after DD arrived and I realised I had two small stretchmarks! So who knows what'll happen this time: DC3 will arrive when I'm 35.

I'd always assumed I'd get loads because of getting them as a teenager, and the fact that my mum and sister both got them.

flippineck · 22/03/2011 13:36

Forgot to say that I don't know about the age thing, but as said mum and sis both had them and they were both in their early-mid 20s when pregnant with their first, compared to my 30 with my first. We all have incredibly similar skin.

thumbwitch · 22/03/2011 13:42

oh and there was I thinking it was all to do with me taking my fish oils daily!:(

Yep, as a first time mum aged 40, no stretchmarks.

My mum had me at 23 - tons of stretchmarks, worsening with each subsequent pg.

My sister - tons of stretchmarks on her arms and thighs from getting fat quite suddenly in her late teens/early 20s - not sure if she acquired more when pg in her early 30s or not but she might not have been able to tell.

We all have similar skin too but I have a different diet to my sister and almost certainly to what my mum had when she was pg.

Well, it's not something I've ever "gloated" about so I don't think I'll go to hell for being smug over my "superior nutrition" in pg.

oggybags · 22/03/2011 13:46

Im 29, no SM till 38.5 weeks now on hips & on an old scar :-(
have been bio oiling everyday!!
Similar with friends of same age- those with sections at 38 weeks escapes, those 42 weekers got them at the end!

ThistleDoNicely · 22/03/2011 15:29

I'm 26 and started getting small sm at about 24weeks. Been using oil and coco butter to try to lessen them but am now 30weeks and have loads of really big purple-looking marks! :( Only on my tummy so far, under the bump and up to just above my belly button (which is threatening to become an outie before too long! freaking my husband out some) but I'm aware I have 10weeks left to develop more. Just hope they fade quickly.

iskra · 22/03/2011 15:35

I was 24 with DD. I had stretchmarks from puberty on my thighs/bum that had faded to silver. I got stretchmarks on my boobs during pregnancy but none on my belly. I too thought I would get more.

Pregnant for the second time at 27, so we will see!

sh77 · 22/03/2011 15:50

2 pregs at age 31 and 33 - not a single stretch mark in either preg.

thefurryone · 22/03/2011 16:01

Really interesting that you should start this thread, I was chatting to my midwife at my last appointment about stretch marks and she did mention that the younger women, particularly teenagers, she saw seemed to get a lot more than the older ones.

I also ended up with quite a few on my breasts and hips as a result of puberty so am just assuming that I'll be getting some as a result of pregnancy. Currently 35 weeks and none as yet, but I've heard many many stories about stretch marks appearing in the last month so I'm not counting my chickens just yet!

I'm 34.

Leilababyno1 · 22/03/2011 16:01

I think if you are young, your skin is probably going to be tighter and more toned??? So..........therefore more prone to stretchmarks?

Not sure, I am 28 and pregnant with my first- very big bump at 34+ weeks and still no stretchmarks- but then my mum never got any with me and apparently there is a genetic factor involved when it comes to stetchmarks...

LaWeasel · 22/03/2011 16:10

I have no idea why, but have same teenage stretchmarks to you - only pregnancy stretchmarks are under my boobs and around my appi scar. But was still young when up the duff.

Leila - I didn't think I had any until after DD was born and I could see under my boobs and bump!

Waiting to see what happens with future PGs.

Leilababyno1 · 22/03/2011 16:17

LaWeasel- I know the old 'under boob/bump' trick, someone warned me about that, so I have been getting myself into all sorts of alarming positions with mirrors to make sure I still don't have any 'secret' stretchmarks- at the moment I'm all clear BUT I don't know how long that may last...fingers crossed!

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