Preventing stretch marks - any recommendations please?

[AliceRR]

Hi all

I’m 15 week’s and thinking its about time I start using something like bio oil to help prevent stretch marks. I have been more lazy than usual so far in this pregnancy with tiredness and nausea, would usually use body moisturiser at least a few times a week but haven’t barely done so. Have dry skin at the mo so at the very least need to moisturise but does anyone have recommendations of what to use at this stage?

I know there will be divided opinion as to whether anything can help with preventing stretch marks

Bio oil comes to mind but not sure if I’d prefer a cream or lotion. Think mama mio(?) does something... and maybe Palmers

TIA

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MNHQ Update
This is an old thread, but if you’ve come across it while searching for advice or information on stretch marks our guide to the best stretch mark cream has been recently updated to reflect current availability and new releases. It includes a wide range of options from oils to butters, cream and balms designed for stretch mark prevention, relief and treatment. It’s been compiled using the advice of skincare experts as well as Mumsnet user recommendations. We hope it’s helpful!

I have been using Mother’s Balm from Neil’s yard. Obviously can’t prove it works but I’m 33 weeks with no stretch marks yet except some on my boobs, which were there before I started using the balm.

You can't prevent stretch marks if you have a genetic predisposition to get them as they are formed in the middle layer, dermis, of the skin. No cream, oil or lotion on sale without a prescription is allowed to penetrate into the dermis. You can however reduce the appearance of them by using moisturisers. Just use what feels nice to you and gets rid of your dry skin.

I was advised not to use Bio Oil while pregnant as it contains high levels of Vitamin A. Nothing can prevent stretch marks anyway.

@BigBlueBubble That’s interesting about Bio Oil

I think I will just try to moisturise regularly to keep skin hydrated in that case but will look at Mother’s Balm

Thanks for the replies

I used bio oil and a fancy cream and had nothing until 37 weeks.

Then the baby rolled a lot one night and I woke up with loads...

Just moisturise daily as you said! That’s what I did and have no stretch marks except for very low down near the private area.

I really like the Burt’s bees one as it’s 100% natural and the smell doesn’t trigger my nausea too much

You can't avoid them, it's genetic. They happen too deep in your skin for any lotion or potion to help.

Plain coconut oil is always good, especially for dry skin. You can get a large pot from Aldi or any supermarket or any health shop. Go for virgin coconut oil, I like the solid variety, it warms up in your hands in seconds and you can use all over ur body and also it’s an awesome hair mask!

I truly think it’s genetic! Hope this doesn’t come off smug at all, but I didn’t get any during my first pregnancy and moisturised every single day without fail for 40 weeks using Bio Oil/Palmers...and am now 34 weeks into my second pregnancy, have probably moisturised maybe 15/20 times in 8 1/2 months, and still don’t have any.
It’s always worth using some lovely oils on your stomach anyway though, just as a way of nourishing your skin and taking a bit of time to love your bump each day!

It’s genetic sadly. I used the palmers one right throughout my first pregnancy and still got covered in them. My Mum also has them so it was almost bound to happen. I still use the Palmers and the Burts bees ones despite having stretch marks though, it’s nice to keep the skin moisturised regardless.

I think it is probably genetic but thinking it can’t hurt to try to keep skin moisturised and supple.

I just need to take more care of myself I think!

Its genetic.
I got all of mine in one night.
None before, none since (even second pregnancy)
save your money.

Lush do a really nice massage bar which a friend recommended to me. I can't remember the name of it but it's cream coloured, oval and has a kind of belly button sticking out of it. I used it twice a day throughout pregnancy and it was lovely in its own right. I didn't get any stretch marks on my belly. Any that I have on other areas of my body were from pre-pregnancy life.

Its always a good idea to moisturise I think, your bump can get itchy when the skin stretches and I found moisturising helped with that.
However... I moisturised every single day in pregnancy number 1 and didn’t get a single stretch mark. Did the same in pregnancy 2 and didn’t get a single stretch mark... until 39 weeks when I woke up riddled with them. Now pregnant a third time and will keep moisturising but don’t think it will have any influence over whether my stretch marks are added to or not!

@Velvetdragon I love Lush and have missed it since we got rid of our bath in favour of a shower (used to use their bath bombs!) so will have a look in there - any excuse!

Funny it sounds like they just appear overnight!!

I've been using body shop shea butter and a cowshed stretch mark oil. Nothing yet at 28 weeks! Not sure if the creams are doing anything but they do make my bump feel nice and smooth and not itchy.

I have SMs from teenage yrs (boobs, hips) but not from 4 pregnancies. I did nothing to prevent them during pregnancy.

I wonder if not gaining lots excess weight might help. Keeping size down means less stretching, maybe?

I gained exactly the same amount of weight with my first (no stretch marks) as my second (stretch marks). I gained a pretty average 25lbs and wasn’t overweight to start with. My second was heavier so I must have gained less excess weight/fat, but bump was bigger. Who knows? I don’t think there’s much rhyme nor reason to it. You’ll either get them or you won’t.

I use extra virgin olive oil (literally the one you cook with) every day since 16 weeks and so far it's been working well (32 weeks tomorrow). I may still develop stretch marks, but with my mother and grandmother they have olive oil and it did work well with them until the end, so I am hoping the family recipe helps until the end with me as well ;)

I used every lotion and lotion under the sun when I found out that I was pregnant with DD, no stretchmarks until I woke up one day at 34 weeks covered in them. Sorry that’s probably not what you want to hear but there’s nothing you can do to prevent them, just use a nice moisturiser as it can get quite itchy with all the stretching.

Swear by bio oil 🤞🏼🤞🏼🤞🏼 Three pregnancies and no stretch marks but I do believe if your gonna get them you will no matter what xx

My dermatologist friend told me none of these things work, but to get something for the itchiness and dryness. I was sent a box of the Mama Mio stuff and it's really lovely (though the twee product names are awful) - sinks in fast and doesn't feel at all sweaty or greasy.