Preventing Stretchmarks

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I am 10 + 3 today and am thinking of starting using a product to prevent/lessen stretch marks. So far I have been recommended 2 products & been told that they are the 'best'. Not sure which to use. Any recommendations for what other people are using?
The two I have been told about are Palmers Cocoa butter & Clarins Tonic oil.

The best things I've heard recommended are cocoa butter and bio oil.

However, if you're going to get stretch marks, you're going to get stretch marks and all the lovely moisturising in the world won't stop or help them, but you will have lovely soft skin.

Bio Oil is supposed to be good.

I used Palmers last time but still got stretchmarks, which mysteriously appeared as a rash in the last two weeks. Then after the baby was born the stretchmarks appeared they're not too bad though.

tbh I think it's down to luck - skin type, how big your baby/bump gets, etc.

I have heard that Derma Mum is good and have just got some from Amazon. So far so good but I am only 10+2! derma mum

I'm using cocoa butter because I bought bio oil but had a severe allergic reaction to it :( I had silver stretchmarks before from where I lost four stone and don't seem to have gained any more :) I'm 28+1 but I think mine might be down to luck as none of the women in my family had stretchmarks from pregnancy only through weight loss!

Congratulations!

Hee hee flickstar - using some already!!!

I used E45, sweet almond oil and Kamilosan cream. Didn't get a single stretch mark. Think as others say its not necessarily due to moisturisers though. That said, I liked the 'luxury' of slathering myself in creams after a shower, something I never really got round to before being pregnant.

I think it's important to be prepared princess!

I used bio oil in two pregnancies and avoided them, though I have legacy ones from adolescence.

I used the Clarins oil in last pregnancy - it was completely useless as I was fine until week 35 and then they suddenly appeared. Smelt nice though.

Haven't used anything this pregnancy and am stretch mark free so far (38 + 4) !

Congratulations on your pregnancy! I'm 11+ 1 with DC2. Last time I used bio oil, a a stretch mark oil by Avent and another by Sanctuary. Also a body butter called something like "boo boo". Not a single stretch mark (have plenty of old ones on boobs and hips, so I don't have special skin)! I think it helps if your skin is in good nick to start, you are not overweight and you don't put on excessive weight, say about 2 stone, maybe a bit more if you're really tall. I'm back on the bio oil for now, but it does stain your white underwear and clothes.

bio oil is ace i am 30 weeks and stretch marks so far. midwife was impressed. just rub in beofre going to bed, it soaks in really fast and smells lovely. i rub on slip on pjs and works a treat. only negative is price BUT bottle has lasted whole pregancy. its awesome

doh. i meant to type NO STRETCH MARKS !!!

Ha ha. I was v smug. Used loads of bio oil & cocoa butter every day. Noticed stretch marks right at the end. Doh.

21 months on they have faded but not gone. Oh well.

I used bio oil both times and so far have no stretch marks (23 weeks with dc2). It definitely helps but I think its mostly down to luck, some people are prone to stretch marks and some are not!

My personal experience has been that those who have got stretch marks have got them right at the end of pregnancy - in the last week mainly, with a couple getting them after their due date. Presumably this is because the baby puts on lots of weight in the last few weeks before birth??

I have silvery stretch marks on my boobs and legs from puberty and so assumed I would be covered in them as a result of pregnancy, but because DD was born at 37 weeks I didn't get any. I reckon I will if I ever have a pregnancy that continues to term - although that seems unlikely given my family history of early births. My mum doesn't have any stretch marks either, having had 2 early (one very premature) babies.

I used bio oil with DS and got no stretch marks. Have no idea whether I was going to get them or not though. Although the main reason I used it was because i have a 4-5 inch scar right of my belly button that I was worried about stretching, but had no issues.

Tbh, the best thing about it is you hardly need any at all. I used it every day without fail from 12 weeks to 42 and only used half a bottle.

I'm 9-10 weeks now and will start using it again soon.

I used Mama Mio tummy rub oil in my last pregnancy after I'd read that it was a favourite of the celebs I didn't get any stretch marks but then I did have DS at just 28 weeks so if I'd have gone full term who knows?

I am pregnant again now and planning to start using it from around 10 weeks, just need to get some ordered.

Thanks everyone. Maybe I'll try the Bio oil then & fingers crossed I will be lucky :o
Whatever happens least I'll have very soft skin!!

Stretchmarks happen when the deeper layers of skin get split. Moisturising doesn't go to the deeper layers and so doesn't do anything to prevent them. If you're going to get them, you're going to get them, there's no avoiding it I'm afraid. I was delighted when I looked at my stretchmark free belly at 38 weeks. The very next day, DS turned and within 24 hours my stomach was like a road map. They've faded quite a lot after a year but I know they'll always be there. I'm not that bothered about them really.