Anti stretch-mark creams! Advice please!

[Octoberfest18]

Hey, So I'm getting to that point where bump is just about starting to show and I think I should start using some sort of cream or oil to combat belly stretch marks (not to mention boob and bum stretchmarks!!).

A friend gave me half a bottle of bio-oil she had left over which I started using this week. So far I quite like it, but it is pretty oily and I am not sure how much it's going to end up rubbing off on clothes.

I've also looked a the Palmer's Cocoa Butter stretch mark cream in Boots but the smell is so strong I really don't think it would help my morning sickness.

So, I was wondering what other creams or oils people would recommend. Friends have suggested LUSH or Burt's Bees. But would love to get advice on others.

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MNHQ update:
This thread is a few years old now, but if you've landed here while on the hunt for stretch mark treatment options, our guide to the best stretch mark cream has been recently updated to reflect current availability. It's made up of a wide range of options, from cream to oils, lotions and body butter - all tried, tested and approved by Mumsnet users.
Hope it's helpful!

I use Palmers cocoa butter. I use the normal moisturiser in the morning after my shower and the butter before I go to bed. The butter is very greasy and has the consistency of lard when it's in the jar so that's why I only put it on at night.

No stretch marks yet (39+5).

‘(34 weeks today) but honestly I think it's just luck and I keep waiting for them to appear!
However, as my bump grew it got really itchy, I think using anything on it means that it helps the itch’

Sorry to scare anyone but I had no stretch marks most of my pregnancy and then at around 35 weeks I was so itchy it was terrible. A couple of weeks later I developed really small marks and thought they were only minor and I’d be okay. After ds was born and I could bare to look at my stomach again I was horified how many there was! Nobody told me that stretch marks can develop after the baby is born because they start developing under the skin and don’t come to the service straight away. Also baby pushing through birth canal can cause some then aswell lower down. I also used bio oil and creams/lotions throughout which didn’t make a bit of difference. I also only gained the appropriate amount of weight and gained slowly but my bump did seems to grow huge over night despite having an average weight baby. I put this down to carrying a lot of water. They also say no two pregnancies are the same so one pregnancy may not cause any marks and another one loads.

I was also overdue so I also don’t think this helped!

I don’t*

surface*

Oh forgot to mention I also ate the healthiest diet and drank lots of water and still didn’t make a abit of difference!

I used Palmers throughout both pregnancies, but agree that no amount of cream will prevent them if you can weight too quickly (which is what does the damage).

Try not to get any sudden spikes in weight gain - keep the skin hydrated both inside and out (keep up fluids) - I was also advised that exercise is good for the skin but obviously take advice about exercise in pregnancy.

I was the size of a mountain in my second pregnancy and didn't get any stretch marks with either child, but whether that was luck or due to the above advice I don't know.

My advice, bio oil is a con. My top tips as someone v susceptible... I did a lot of research. 1. Keep weight down. 2 eat well and consider taking a pregnancy suitable multivitamin that contains zinc and vit D.
3.Support the bump with a good bump support.
If you do get them use an anti scar cream like contractubex.

I was coming on here to say that I used bio oil in all 3 of my pregnancies and don't have a single stretch mark, but now I see I might as well not have bothered with the bio oil and that it was just down to luck!
Can't say the same for my widened hips and huge rib cage - neither seem to have ever returned to their previous size...

I may have got bad stretch marks on my stomach but I didn’t get any anywhere else and my body all went back to normal including my boobs. I was lucky in that respect at least.

FoxtrotSkarloey I would suggest saving your money and just buying a big tub of e45 or cocoa butter/coconut oil for the moisture element. Usually if your family have them you’ll most likely get them.

Bio oil with first pregnancy, gallons of it. Zero stretch marks. I had stretch marks growing up so think I could be prone to them but bio oil 100% worked.

This time around with baby #2 I have used a range of oils some cheaper than bio oil plus I’ve been through a tub of Neals Yard Mamas balm which is AMAZING. Zero stretch marks ATM am 29 weeks fingers crossed don’t yet any x good luck!

Brazilian bum bum cream is meant to be good, I have 4 pots of the stuff!

I had stretch marks growing up so think I could be prone to them but bio oil 100% worked.

Bio oil did nothing for me. I think it depends on the pregnancy and how fast your bump grows etc and loads of other variables.

Honesty, nothing works.

I got some bio oil when I was pregnant was twins. I felt so ill that I literally couldn’t be bothered to use it. I ended up with two tiny stretch marks just above my belly button which are now invisible. I even have many scars on my stomach from multiple surgeries and didn’t even get stretch marks around them. I was absolutely enormous and I have no idea how I avoided them.

Had I used the oil, I’d be telling you that it stopped me from getting stretch marks, but really my genetics stopped me from getting them. Which was a huge shock as I got loads on my lower back and hips as a teenager.

I agree with Tammy, exactly if you’re going to get them you will and there’s nothing you can do about it. Gaining weight slowly helped but even then you can’t predict size
of baby, amount of water or the way you carry. The good news is that stretch marks fade over time and with a tan are hardly noticeable. They are also worth it for the beautiful baby you receive.

helps*

Palmers cocoa butter. Smells amazing and keeps you moisturised literally all day (you can feel it when changing before bed) I only got maybe two stretch marks with my first before I found this then no more since using it and not one with my second and I'm noticeably bigger but been using this since day one!

Stretch marks are sometimes genetic and I was less likely to get them because I don't have a predisposition. But, my belly was very itchy when the skin stretched and I was told not to scratch them because it would give me stretch marks!

I'm not sure if it's just one of those old wives tales, but I only got stretch marks at around 38 weeks because I thought that scratching couldn't do any harm this late... then it did and I got stretch marks!