Bio oil? or other ideas to prevent stretch marks.

[CoffeeAndOranges]

I'm 18 weeks now and starting to show properly and I seem to have had a bit of a growth spurt (belly wise) this last week. I haven't got any stretch marks yet but it's only a matter of time.

I realise they are probably impossible to prevent entirely but if anyone has any tips on how to limit the damage I'd be grateful to hear them. Have you used bio oil? Is it any good? Seen a bio oil lotion in tk Maxx but it's £15 so not buying if it's no better than ordinary moisturizer!

I don't mind a few 'battle stripes' but I'm so pale any skin marks show up really badly.

I know me either, he was taking ages and ages and I was so worried!! He turnt to me and said do you use creams on your stomach? And then explained what they do. He said just don't use them a week or two before a scan x

Thanks for the heads up about the scans. I've got mine this week so time to stop oiling my belly for a few days!

Agree with others that unfortunately the oils simply have no physical way to penetrate the layers of skin needed - so ultimately it's about genetics, hormones and weight gain. I still did it anyway, it makes the bump less itchy and gave me a sense of control and hope

You may still be lucky though, I got terrible stretch marks with puberty and none with either of 2 pregnancies, so fingers crossed!

For my first pregnancy I managed to get away with only a few stretch marks - and literally in the last week. I took a pregnancy-suitable omega 3 & 6 and used Bloom and Blossom stretch mark cream from about 16weeks. I also didn't gain a lot of extra weight and normally drink water anyway.

I'm pregnant again (16wks) and planning on following the same regime! Although I knew I'd probably show earlier so started on the cream and omega 3/6 about 3 weeks ago.

Although I'm only taking the omega 3/6 every other day as it's going to be expensive otherwise!

I use BIO OIL for scarring as I had s large skin graft. It is brilliant for that. You can buy it on Amazon repeat at the cheapest price for a large size bottle. From memory it is about £12 and that lasts a month applying it between 3 and 6 times daily depending on how itchy the scars are.

total con. does not work

I was dubious about using it but started using bio oil when a couple of stretch marks appeared and not only did they fade but I didn't get any more.

It has also significantly reduced the appearance of the teenage stretch marks on my hips - you can clearly see a line across the part where I stopped applying it.

Bio Oil won't stop stretch marks. If you're prone to them, you'll get them regardless. Sure a nice lotion or oil will keep your skin moisturised and feeling good, but if you're going to get stretch marks, you'll get them regardless.
I didn't use anything with my first pregnancy (hyperemesis meant I couldn't stand the smell of anything scented without heaving!). I got a few tiny stretch marks.
With pregnancy 2, I used Bio Oil religiously from about week 8. I ended up with a fair few stretch marks. I also found it stained my clothes as it takes ages to dry after you've applied.

I've been using Burt's Bees Mama Bee's Belly Butter which was given to my by my sister in law who used it through her pregnancies.

I'm sure I'll still get some stretchmarks but it has made my skin feel really soft and I'd rather try something than just give up! My bump has suddenly popped in the last few weeks (I'll be 25w on Thursday) which I think is water retention/liquid mainly so it is certainly getting tested! I can't see any marks yet but I still have over 3 months to go!

I got to 2 weeks overdue without stretch marks and felt very smug. However when labour basically paralysed me for 48 hours, I swelled up like a balloon due to water retention and ended up with hundreds of the blighters! So I don't think there's anything you can do to guarantee avoiding them.

I have very dry skin so been worrying about stretchmarks a lot. I've started using both Palmer's Cocoa Butter Formula Massage Lotion and Bio Oil very early in pregnancy, at around 7 weeks or so. I'm using Cocoa butter in the morning and after showers and Bio Oil before bedtime. So far so good for me.

This does seems to have some science to back it up, but it is the pads in the band, rather than the cream that seems to be the 'active ingredient' for want of a better word.

I am using the Day Gel (which helps the pads to stick) and band and have none so far (34 weeks) but am aware that I have a way to go yet!

I'm also using this at night which has been shown to be better than placebo, and has been demonstrated to be effective by Cochrane review.

I have to confess to being pretty sceptical though, if you're going to get them, you're going to get them.

i was using a cocktail of palmers body butter/tummy butter/massage cream/massage lotion as well as an avon stretch mark lotion and a sanctuary spa cream. i had nothimg until 25 weeks and now my lower stomach is covered. i was religious with it.

please bear in kind though- i am expecting twins and i have exceptionally dry skin/eczema so never really stood a chance.
i do believe its your skin type that determines whether you them or not.

I used creams religiously w DC1 and got no stretch marks.

I did nothing at all w DC2 and got no stretch marks.

Think it's the luck of the draw.

I'd be reluctant to use a mineral-based oil though - I made mine w Neals Yard cocoa butter etc.

Blinkandmiss I'm the same had none with dc3 but dc3 I got quite a few but had put on a lot more weight. Currently expecting dc3 and haven't put any weight on yet I'm using raw organic coconut oil at the moment it's very cheap to buy and smells gorgeous

Sorry typo Dc1 dc2