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Pregnancy

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

Original poster

Stretchmarks

27 replies

Ahemily · 13/07/2015 08:55

I know this may well be considered vain and / or trivial, but is there ANYTHING I can do to avoid stretchmarks? I had big purple scars after my DS which have happily now faded to silver, but as this one progresses (I'm now 17w pregnant) I'm wondering if there was anything I could have done to avoid them.

I once heard that's it's genetic, so slathering the bump in Bio Oil each day will make sod all difference - is this true? Confused

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Cheesychop · 13/07/2015 08:57

From what most people say yes it's genetic sadly. I'm still using bio oil as at least they can help fade them, if not stop them. I'm resigned to the fact now.

KateRaeganandMichael · 13/07/2015 09:05

Same. With my DD I didn't get them til 18 days before she was born - I was gutted - this time round (28 weeks with a big boy!) I've done the same as cheesychop and resigned myself to the fact that its happening. I suppose I'm quite lucky in that I've never had red stretch marks they've always been silver straight away. I am moisturising my tummy just 'cause though lol...

Either way i'll be proud - They are warrior markings after all!

mrsatkinson · 13/07/2015 09:05

i had none until about 24 weeks. im 31 weeks now and they start on my lady bits right up to in line with my belly button. they are very bad. i have been using a cocktail of bio oil, various palmers cocoa butter concoctions and other stretch mark creams. they have done nothing, but im still using them. my mums were terrible so it is hereditary i believe. i feel so vain but i hate them too, i feel like my tummy is ruined! Smile

Original poster
Ahemily · 13/07/2015 09:06

Dammit, I feared that was the case! In the great scheme of things it's no big deal, it just doesn't help with the inevitable post pregnant blues - or at least it made me feel more miserable. I'll persevere with the Bio Oil for the same reason as you, and in the meantime will start trying to get used to the idea. Sigh.

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Original poster
Ahemily · 13/07/2015 09:09

Thanks all. mrsatkinson, that's exactly how I feel! It's one thing being bent out of shape, but the purple lines really take the biscuit!

That said, after my DS I thought I'd never wear a bikini again, and by the time he was 2 they were barely visible. Not sure my body will be so forgiving after two babies though....

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mrsatkinson · 13/07/2015 09:18

i dont mind the thoight of faded stretch marks, but my.mums tummy was saggy with stretch marks and its that i really dont want but am resigned ill get as there are just so many big purple stretch marks covering my entire lower stomach! and they are still spreading. im having twins so im at a disadvantage as it is. thankfully theres only 5/6 weeks left!

Sherylberyl · 13/07/2015 09:31

Mama mio tummy butter is amazing, it stopped me getting stretch marks everywhere except my inner thigh which I didn't think to use it on!

Original poster
Ahemily · 13/07/2015 09:39

Oh wow mrsatkinson - I didn't realise you were having twins! Those really will be warrior stripes! How exciting though Smile

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Original poster
Ahemily · 13/07/2015 09:41

Oooh, great tip SherylBeryl, thanks!! Will be popping out to get some later!

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SaulGood · 13/07/2015 09:46

The lotions and potions don't work tbh. The skin stretches and tears at a level not reached by bio oil or mama mio or whatever is the current fashion.

Getting stretchmarks is generally reliant upon a combination of factors. Age, genetics, baby's position etc.

As you know from first time round, they do fade. I didn't get many more second time round.

Original poster
Ahemily · 13/07/2015 10:32

Hmm, that's some comfort SaulGood - I wondered if they might actually be worse given the fact I'm 3 years older now, but that makes me feel a bit more optimistic

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Belleview · 13/07/2015 10:57

Dermarolling, copper peptides.

specialsubject · 13/07/2015 11:04

science 101 - the potions don't work. The marks will either go or not given your genetics, massaging reeking expensive gunk into them makes no difference although if it makes you feel better, go ahead.

remember how good the beauty 'industry' is at writing words on packaging that promise nothing.

Skiptonlass · 13/07/2015 11:06

Nothing over the counter works - moisturiser only penetrates so far and the damage is done on the layers below that. :(

It's still nice to moisturise though when your skin is stretching. Smells good, feels nice and helps with itchiness.

Psycobabble · 13/07/2015 11:09

I go honestly think its genetic

Though it cant hurt to moisturise anyway, keep hydrated etc

And you say they have faded so this time at least youl know they are going to fade so just ignore them safe in the knowledge youl hardly notice them in the future . Don't feel sad about them Flowers

Original poster
Ahemily · 13/07/2015 11:31

Thank you psycobabble - it's a silly thing to worry about really, I just remember looking in the mirror after a shower last time and hating my reflection. With raging hormones etc to contend with, it's no fun! As you say, though, they do go eventually Smile

I'm actually getting married 5 months after the baby comes along, and I've got visions of spending the wedding night trying to cover up!

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CarbeDiem · 13/07/2015 12:00

There's no harm in slapping the lotions and potions on, it will keep the skin soft but as we know will not prevent stretchmarks. I took after my own dm and was covered - my tummy, pubic area and the top of my legs where skin meets fanjo looked like a tiger had clawed me. With the 2nd and 3rd babies I didn't get that many more to be honest (there was nowhere else to bloody get them :) )
They do fade and I find a bit of tan makes them look a lot better too. Mine don't bother me as much as the saggy tummy muscles - Damn you! huge muscle breaking babies- it's that what keeps me out of a bikini :(

Psycobabble · 13/07/2015 12:06

I know what you mean I have days were I feel a like that about my c section scar it's still like a swollen pouch thing and I don't think it will ever go sometimes I feel like I can't even look at it then rest of the time I feel good and don't notice it

Everybody has days like that and we all change all grow old, change after having kids etc it's easy to say don't worry about it but honestly I think we are all our own worst critic

I bet your dp thinks you look amazing and any imperfections that you think you have he won't be giving a single thought to on your wedding night Wink

blowinahoolie · 13/07/2015 12:21

I have them everywhere and see it as a mark of motherhood.

toffeeboffin · 13/07/2015 14:10

I didn't get any at all.

I didn't really moisturize all that much, but I did eat fairly well throughout pregnancy, I'm sure that made a difference.

I don't know if it's all genetic - my mum has loads.

BinToHellAndBack · 13/07/2015 15:34

I felt really upset when my stretch marks suddenly appeared all over my bump at week 37 of my first pregnancy (I thought I'd got away with it). Then I felt angry at myself for being so vain!

Second pregnancy just carried on where the first left off in terms of stretch marks and I had done loads of moisturising and bio-oil during both - didn't seem to make a blind bit of difference.

I'm convinced that the only thing that makes any difference is deciding that you just don't care about them either way Grin. When you get to that point you don't really see them when you look in the mirror.

I'm just about there now, but had a blip recently when DC1 asked me what the 'holes' all over my tummy were!

Original poster
Ahemily · 13/07/2015 15:48

This thread has made me feel so much better!

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Rufus200 · 13/07/2015 16:54

I have no idea if this product works as I haven't used mine yet but Secret Saviours claims to stop stretch marks. I have terrible stretch marks on my thighs from teenage weight gain/growth spurt and really don't want stretch marks on my belly as well.

www.secretsaviours.com

They are expensive but there is a special offer on where you can get a £70 kit for £11. It is a legit link and not a con, I promise, I also have nothing to do with the company just passing the offer I used on. You have to order through amazon to get the discount. They are doing it because they want amazon reviews.

4PC9WNMH.MEGAPH.COM/

Lonz · 13/07/2015 18:39

You can't avoid stretchmarks. They're inevitable. Some get them worse than others and some get barely any. I just used everything under the sun from 20ish weeks until my son was about a year old, twice a day. Stretchmarks are barely visible now. I did see a video though of a woman with stretchmarks on her thighs, she exfoliated them about 3 times a day and used an oil. They definitely improved. It was on youtube I think, have a search.

Hubnut · 13/07/2015 19:41

I was amazed that I didn't get any during pregnancy. I'd got loads on my thighs during puberty I was sure I was just a stretch marky type of person. I used nivea in-shower moisturiser and sometimes bio oil/sometimes Palmers (got sick of the smell of both at different stages). Dunno if that's why I escaped them but would do same if I got pregnant again just in case.