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Pregnancy

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

Original poster

Stretch marks? What works??

86 replies

Beckah1994xx · 01/10/2014 22:22

I'm 26 weeks pregnant & already getting stretch marks, I have palmer's tummy butter and sanctuary stuff, but whats best to get rid of stretchmarks, does anyone have any other things they can suggest? Thanks :)

OP posts:
NotTheKitchenAgainPlease · 01/10/2014 22:23

Bio oil works.

Original poster
Beckah1994xx · 01/10/2014 22:24

Thank you! :) i don't have too many atm but i think they'll end up getting worse so I'm trying to try new things :)

OP posts:
blankfornames · 01/10/2014 22:35

My yoga teacher recommended putting on cooking oil as it contains nothing harmful. She said not to stick to the same type of oil to vary it, so your skin doesn't get used to one kind only.

Showy · 01/10/2014 22:39

Nothing will stop you getting them. The skin tears at a level lotions and potions won't reach. Stay well hydrated and moisturise to help with the tight or dry feelings of the skin tearing. I think some creams can sometimes reduce the appearance but time will be the greatest healer. Mine are silvery white and not that noticeable now.

Original poster
Beckah1994xx · 01/10/2014 22:55

Mine are currently like a purple colour, i'm always moisturising

OP posts:
Balderdabble · 01/10/2014 23:12

I used bio oil twice a day from 12 weeks and didn't get any. Cheapest I could find it was on Amazon as it is a bit pricey. I'm sure part of it is luck or genes but I figured keeping the skin well lubed had to help Grin

2014MrsH · 01/10/2014 23:18

I'm 30 weeks now and no stretch marks (yet). I've been using bio oil in the mornings and aveeno cream in the evenings. Plus I think it's important to keep well hydrated for your skins elasticity too

Original poster
Beckah1994xx · 01/10/2014 23:34

I keep using the sanctuary one, then the palmers tummy butter and they do seem to be lightning a little! But i seem to keep getting more and more

OP posts:
Cavort · 01/10/2014 23:35

It's a combination of genetics, age and luck. On my MN antenatal thread we were all 30+ and hardly anyone got stretchmarks. I had DC1 at 35 and didn't get any.

sidorek · 02/10/2014 00:01

Nothing :D sorry for the grin, but this is mostly because in my previous pregnancy I used Bio Oil, Mustella, and many more - and I got them :( Buggers

ItStillLooksLikeRainDear · 02/10/2014 00:06

Not getting pregnant or fat...

I was like a map of the Amazon after DC 1 but they have faded over time & not very noticeable now. You won't worry about them too much when you have your little bundle in your arms and stitches in your fanjo

HulaHoopsInTheBath · 02/10/2014 07:45

I spent a small fortune on bio oil last time, got millions of them over my belly. I must say though they faded to almost nothing unless you look close. This time I am just using cocoa butter and nivea in shower stuff and I have no sign of any new ones.........yet. Nothing will stop them, its just luck, although I do think keeping hydrated does help.

gingermopped · 02/10/2014 07:55

im in my 6th pregnancy and dont have a single stretch mark, only cream iv ever used is dove or nivea.
my sil used all the expensive anti stretch mark creams religiously and her tum is like an underground map.

AllYouNeedIsTea · 02/10/2014 08:08

I'm on my third pregnancy and I've never had stretchmarks and never used any cream. I'm afraid i font think anything works if you're susceptible to them. Doesn't hurt to moisturise anyway but don't waste money on fancy creams.

Polkadotscarf · 02/10/2014 08:10

I must say that I don't think anything can stop them ??
I have bio oiled morning and night then cocoa buttered on every trip to the loo and still have them! Still continuing with the oil and butter though as it makes them less sore and in my head I need to feel like I'm doing something! Currently 35 weeks

Stupidhead · 02/10/2014 08:14

I think it's genetic, I've had 3 big babies and only have a small stretch mark in my bikini line. I didn't use anything so I know how lucky I am. Fwiw my stomach tans extremely well without burning so I have no idea whether it's to do with natural oil or skin protection?

I'll second the Bio oil thing though, it feels and smells fabulous and worked for friends of mine. Use it after your baby too to help fade marks.

splendide · 02/10/2014 08:24

I've used nothing and have none at 38 weeks. I really think its luck

WhyOWhyWouldYou · 02/10/2014 08:35

I talked to a GP about it last time. Nothing will stop you getting them. Its just genetics and luck.

They fade on their own with time to a silver colour.

I was really upset last time when I had quite a lot of little ones on my tummy by 12weeks despite loosing weight in the first trimester! But my mom was the same and I've got stretch marks on the backs of my legs from when I was much much younger and had a massive growth spurt (I was never even a fat child). They aren't noticeable to anyone else because of how they have faded.

VeryLittleGravitasIndeed · 02/10/2014 08:40

It's mostly a combo of genetic luck and age - younger women are more prone to them according to my midwife.

Staying hydrated (internally ie drink loads of water) helps a bit apparently, so do dietary things that help skin health (zinc, essential fatty acids etc).

But moisturiser sadly does nothing. It's nice to massage your bump though Smile

BumpNGrind · 02/10/2014 11:00

I have used a mix of things. Pregnacare cream for when I'm wearing something I don't want to get greasy. Johnsons baby oil in the shower, johnsons baby oil gel (really thick stuff) in the later weeks, just before bed, both from the pound shop. I've also just used normal moisturizer but will never let my skin feel dry. I've been quite religious in applying twice a day. 39 weeks and none yet.

TheresLotsOfFarmyardAnimals · 02/10/2014 11:02

If you've got them they won't go away but they'll fade to silver. I liked Dermamum Oil and used it until it ran out at 37 weeks. I then got bio oil an got stretch marks at 38 weeks. It was probably a coincidence though.

butternut22 · 02/10/2014 14:34

I don't think anything works. I used bio oil everyday in last pregnancy and thought it was working up until 37 weeks then I was covered. My mum had three children and didn't use anything and she has no stretch marks. I think it is luck.

LittlePeaPod · 02/10/2014 16:59

Unfortunately its all down to your skin apparently. The damage done is too deep for the creams / oils to make any difference however it should help the itching and reduce appearance over time.

Even knowing this I plastered bio oil on every day (twice a day) from the day I found out I was pregnant.. I went through a big bottle every couple weeks cost a bloody fortune. I was really lucky and did not get any stretch marks. Did the oil help, probably not but I would do it again just in case.

winnertakesitall · 02/10/2014 17:06

Yup- just genetic coding unfortunately! I had my DS when I was 28yo, and my stomach looked like the London underground map. 5 years on, and my stomach now looks like a deflated balloon, but at least the stretches are now silvery. I oiled, and creamed til the cows came home. I think there is nothing wrong with hydrating your skin, but don't believe it'll make a jot of difference to whether or not you get stretch marks (but will make your skin feel nice!).

Having said that I have very scar prone skin, and most of my scars go keyloid, so I wasn't necessarily surprised. I very much hope your skin is more resilient than mine!

weebairn · 02/10/2014 18:45

it's just your skin I think. No stretch marks with either pregnancy, never used any cream. sorry...