How early did you start using stretch mark products?

[RachelP93]

I know its ultimately down to genetics, but I'm interested...

I'm 13+4 and don't use any products at the moment. I'm very low maintenance (lazy) and barely moisturise/scrub etc my body as it is. I've read that some people start stretch-mark cream from the day they find out they're pregnant and others don't use it at all. Just wondering on what you do/did and whether you found any benefit?

I used nothing and have no stretch marks. Genetics, my mum doesn't either. We both had absolutely huge bumps too. However we do both have somewhat wrinkly tummy skin (appeared a year or two after DC2). There is really no evidence the creams do anything except feel nice.

Better to put the effort into pelvic floor exercises instead!

They don't actually prevent stretch marks but I used nice Neals Yard stuff throughout both pregnancies anyway, to massage and bond with the bump anyway with DD I didn't get any stretch marks but with DS I did. He was 11lb and skin can only stretch so far.

I’ve been given so many oils and creams by friends and family, I started using them really early on although I’ve no idea if it makes a difference or not.

I’m 29+2 now, and I’ve put on 2 stone in weight and the bump is looking huge now... no stretch marks in sight for me yet (touch wood!)

I’ve been using a clarins oil that my mum swore by for both her pregnancies and she doesn’t have any stretch marks... mamma mio cream that a friend gave me, coconut oil and just started with bio oil... mixing them up a bit because I ended up with so many!

Also, a friend of mine reccomended that I should pay extra attention oil-wise to belly button piercings, where they used to be at least. She said that she didn’t have a single mark and in the last week of pregnancy she got one over where her piercing used to be as apparently the scar tissue from the piercing makes the skin weaker there.

Didn't use any and no stretch marks.

It's totally genetics. I got stretch marks during puberty/childhood growth spurts and during my pregnancy I used a belly band, day and night creams, bio oil, bump lard, bacon dripping you name it I smeared it on myself. And I still got stretch marks. Ds was a 9 pounder so pretty big mind. 6 months on and they're pretty faint and as my skin has tightened back up they are much less noticeable. I thought it would really bother me but I couldn't really care less to be honest!

Thanks all for your answers.

I should have said at the beginning - I won't be upset if I do get stretch marks. By asking for the benefits of using certain products I'm not only looking for whether they prevent stretch marks, but if they make your bump feel nicer/less taught/smells good etc!

I really want to bond with the bump and I think would be a nice thing for my partner to do to help him feel more connected. If they prevent/lessen stretch marks that's a bonus.

I don't have a belly button piercing but had a nipple piercing which I took out the day I found out about the pregnancy - hoping it heals fully soon but that's a whole different topic..

No stretch marks after the last pregnancy but I've upped my moisturising as my skin gets dry and then itchy towards the end esp bump (not the the liver itching just dry and stretched).

Use nice things when you want to :)

Tbh I think stretch mark creams are of more value post baby to possibly fade scars but no experience personally.

Hi, i'm pregnant with number 3, very early days so am using nothing as yet. But with my other 2, every day i massaged my boobs and belly in the stuff and i don't have a stretch mark in sight, should point out though, i didn't think to do my thighs and bum and have quite a few there, maybe my ass just got massive! Lol. But none on the places that grew the most where i applied the cream . But i don't believe it's entirely down to genetics if i'm honest. My Mom's stomach is riddled with them. Very deep ones too as were both my Grandmothers and my Aunties from both sides have them to different degrees yet i have none at all so far. So i'm all for creams.
I'm a beauty consultant and part of the job is learning what different ingredients do for different skin types...not just the face! If you're dry you must use it more often, if you're naturally an itchy person too. If you're oily then ease up on the cream abit as naturally oily and sweaty people are known to have far more elasticated skin. That's what we were taught and it seems to work. X

Could have bought shares in bio oil I used so much of the stuff- twice a day from 12 weeks! Didn’t get a single stretch mark and stomach looks as it did pre-pregnancy (expect for the c-section scar). However, talking amongst friends and the ones that went overdue seemed to have the worst stretch marks. I delivered at 38+6 and other friends who also had their babies early seem to have escaped relatively unscathed too. SIL has horrendous stretch marks but none appeared until she hit her due date. Thats totally not scientific though, and going overdue is not something you can control either, plus I’m sure genetics play a part too. But definitely no harm in doing it.

In started from 12 weeks with both my pregnancies. I use bio oil. I didn't get any last time and I haven't got any, yet... Fingers crossed they don't appear in my last few weeks

I'm covered in stretch marks from puberty (everywhere except tummy) so assumed I'd be prone to them. My sisters had pregnancies in their early 30s and got stretchmarks. However, completely avoided them. You wouldn't know I'd been pregnant. Everyone I know who had their first baby over 40 reports the same. Apparently the younger you are, the more your skin is likely to mark. Something to do with the fact collagen is still developing when younger.

DC1 I used from the day I got 2 lines and he destroyed my body. I very much resemble a tiger everywhere but my stomach I mean who gets knee stretch marks from pregnancy?!

This baby is twice the size (based on scans) and I haven’t used a blob of the stuff and not a new stretch mark in sight!

Used every cream imaginable. No stretch marks till last 4 weeks then my entire belly became one big stretch mark !!

I started using products at 12 weeks. Although I didn't have much of a bump then, its good to start lubricating the skin early ...not just when bump appears!!

Yes most is down to genetics but I really believe that products can help. They may not prevent stretch marks but they can definitely make them appear fainter.
Both my mum and two sisters have stretch marks all over their bellies and hips and luckily I haven't got any (so far). We're all similar size and have similar skin types but I'm really hoping that my routine will at least help a little.

I use an oil before bed. I use Tummy Love Stretch Mark Oil by Mama Baby Bliss as it doesn't have any nasty chemicals in it.
I'm now 37 weeks and have introduced using Palmers body cream in the mornings and then still using my oil at night.

Bio oil from 12 weeks,no stretch marks previous pregnancies and praying for none this time!

Bio oil every day or so from early on and not a whisper of a mark now (37 weeks). Do have old stretch marks from growing or weight gain when younger, so maybe the oil really worked!

I used Palmer's cocoa butter for both pregnancies. No stretch marks at all. But had a very late scan with one and the doctor commented on my no stretch marks and asked what I had used. When I told him he said 'well, at least that's cheap!' Sorry to say it is genetic. My mum had a twin pregnancy and has not a mark in sight to show for it. Anyway I probably used it from 16 weeks ish.