Putting on weight to avoid stretch marks

[RubieWoo]

Has anyone tried this? I'm thinking about doing this, I'm almost 10 weeks and I know for sure I;m going to get terrible stretch marks.

[ItsAllGoingToBeFine]

Putting on weight will give you stretch marks too...

[BatteryPoweredHen]

Say what? Its the putting on of the weight (combined with hormones) that gives you the stretch marks, surely?

[MirandaWest]

I put on a lot of weight with both pregnancies (at least 4.5 stone each time) and got a lot of stretch marks. I wouldn't recommend weight gain as a method to avoid them

[RubieWoo]

I don't mean putting on a lot of weight, just a bit and then return to my normal diet. If you know what i'm trying to get at

[NickySummerbee]

Putting on weight will give you stretch marks anyway though? I don't get it...

[BatteryPoweredHen]

Why? What do you see as being the benefit of this plan?

[RubieWoo]

I thought the rapid growth of baby in the 3rd tri caused stretch marks....

[ShootTheMoon]

No, genetics causes stretch marks I'm afraid

[BatteryPoweredHen]

Your skin can't tell the difference between baby and fat - all it cares about is whether it is being required to accommodate more volume.

[RubieWoo]

Maybe I haven't been clear. If i slowly put on weight, so I have a bit of a belly. Then lose it slowly when baby is growing quickly in 3rd trimester then maybe I can avoid them.

[BatteryPoweredHen]

No, genetics causes stretch marks I'm afraid grin

Yes, that is why we all get stretch marks even when our skin isn't being stretched

[AbbeyRoadCrossing]

I don't think it'll work, you can't really put on weight to resemble a third trimester pregnant belly, and you might well end up with them elsewhere e.g. thighs if you gain weight quickly

[RubieWoo]

I hope that makes sense

[sshapplecartitisallokay]

My pg yoga teacher said omega 3 avoided stretch marks. I believe this as I was expecting dreadful stretch marks as I had dreadfull stretch marks as a teenager. But I was taking an omega supplement before and during pg and didn't get any at all.

[Lweji]

I didn't get any stretch marks and I was very thin. Very. The belly grew enormously.

It's genetic.

[BatteryPoweredHen]

But your skin is really really fragile during pregnancy (cortisol and relaxin make it vv susceptible to stretch marks).

It isn't the same as non-pregnant weight gain...

[RedCrayons]

I had twins and put on 3 stone, not deliberately. I've got a few stretch marks underneath my belly button but you wouldn't notice them unless I pointed them out. I used Palmers every day, but I think mostly it's down to luck and genetics.
I know this sounds a bit stealth boasty, so will also say that my baggy stomach and csection shelf put and end to my bikini days.

[RubieWoo]

sshapplecartitisallokay

Do you think it's too late to start at 10 weeks?

[BatteryPoweredHen]

Susceptibility to stretch marks may well have a genetic element, but that isn't the same as saying that they are caused by genetics

[gamerchick]

You can't pre stretch your skin if that's what yore getting at.

[BatteryPoweredHen]

Look, if you're going to get them, you're going to get them, the only thing you can really do to help is not to gain too much weight in the first place - there's no law that says you have to get really huge

[gamerchick]

*you're

[RubieWoo]

gamerchick, Yes that's exactly what I mean

[ShootTheMoon]

I am forever sorry for my lackadaisical phrasing battery. I'll remember to phrase for the pedants next time

[BatteryPoweredHen]

This does appear to have some research to support its claims, but I am still a bit