The dreaded stretch marks

[ChelseaCat]

Hi All

Does anyone have recommendations for creams that have (potentially!!) helped prevent stretch marks on boobs and belly? I’m 17 weeks now and the bump is expanding rapidly!

Thanks in advance

CC

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MNHQ Update
This is an old thread, but if you've landed here while on the hunt for recommendations or advice on stretch mark treatment and prevention, our guide to the best stretch mark cream has been recently updated. It includes a wide range of options and has been compiled based on the advice of Mumsnetters and skincare experts. We hope it's helpful!

Didn’t really use anything (occasionally a bit of child’s farm baby moisturiser) and got no stretch marks. It’s largely genetics so I wouldn’t waste your money on really fancy creams.

I currently use Bio Oil (23 weeks) it's stopped itching and the tight feeling across my stomach, I don't have any stretch marks at the moment but not sure if Bio Oil is a factor!

You can certainly use creams and old.

Palmers is good and Clarins body oil is good as well, and no doubt many others, but I think it’s mostly genetic. If your mum had them, chances are you will, too.

I've researched this so much, the consensus is if it's going to happen, it's going to happen regardless and apparently itchy skin is common just before they appear

I've researched this so much, the consensus is if it's going to happen, it's going to happen regardless and apparently itchy skin is common just before they appear

I've used a weleda oil the whole pregnancy and no stretch marks so far (am at 29 weeks). I've used it twice a day and now try three times a day (which is easier now as am on a beach holiday will probably revert back to two when I'm at work). But the weleda one was recommended to me by a bunch of preggers friends and it's done the trick so far!

Is a special pregnancy one, Hermione?

I love the sea buckthorn oil.

I used a band that you wear over your bump called secret saviours. Came with creams but the band is supposed to be the bit that works.
Expensive though.

Hi OP, unfortunately there is not much you can do about stretch marks, it can be down to genetics.
I used palmers cream with my first son and only got a few which are now silvery and barely visible. This pregnancy I am using palmers again and only have a couple of new ones so far and I’m 36+2.
My best advice would be to drink plenty of water as keeping hydrated helps your skin when it stretches.

Congratulations!

I am on my third pregnancy (currently third trimester) and no stretch marks despite looking like I have smuggled a yoga ball up my top (usually size 10 ish all over). Also every woman in my family has stretch marks.

This is what I did....

1. made a note about WHERE people got stretch marks. I.e. my sister has a lot under her belly button because her tummy got big and couldn't see that she hadn't got her cream all the way there and she didn't see them start to form. My friend has them down both of her aides because she always paid attention to her tummy. I hope this makes sense!!!

2. cream on morning and night. Also if I showered/swam in the day them after that. I made sure I paid attention to the areas where sister and friend got stretch marks and I also kind of stretched the skin a little when I was rubbing it in so it really got in there (or it felt like that anyway).

3. accepted that if they happened even after using cream then it was meant to be and just a small price for the amazing thing my body was doing.

I use love boo - soft and creamy body smoother. Absorbs beautifully and smells nice.

Sides (not aides)

Anything you've got to hand really..
I used baby oil, clarins oil, Nivea and cocoa butter.
I've had four babies one of which was 10lb8 and my bump measured 52cms at the end of my pregnancy (I was size 10 before) my midwife used to kill herself laughing every time she saw my bumpand never got any stretch marks.
I think it was just luck and it certainly wasn't inherently from my mum her tummy is covered in them!

Clarins Body Oil Tonic, I have used since 16 weeks, currently 35 weeks and no marks yet... touch wood.

My aunty is a midwife and advised the best thing you can do to prevent them is make sure you gain weight slow and steadily, not rapidly - as thats what causes the skin to stretch and effectively break.

I didn't get stretch marks in pregnancy (either lucky or genetics), but I did bio-oil religiously 3 times a day.
I can't say for sure if that was the reason I didn't get them. However, I've had two surgeries since then and massaged the scars twice daily with bio-oil and you honestly cannot see the scars at all.
The surgery did use glue rather than stitches but you can't see anything at all everyone is amazed when I show them.

@ChardonnaysPrettySister yes it's a pregnancy one! It's called stretch mark massage oil. Been using it since the first trimester and now in the third and still no stretch marks (fingers crossed it continues!)

I used no creams whatsoever and only got one stretch mark in two pregnancies (over the site of my old belly button piercing). So you could just cross your fingers...

I've had two children and never got a stretch mark (and I was huge with the first) but neither did my mum and I do think it's genetic. I did moisturise daily but I do that anyway. I'm wondering if I'll get any this time but I don't think there is really much you can do.

Hiya - I'm 30 weeks with my first and measuring big (have been showing since about week 11). I've been using nspa Moisturising Bump Butter, which I got from Asda for £6.50. Been using it pretty much every few days since I found out I was pregnant and I dont have any stretch marks (...yet). At first, I put it all down to the cream but then my sister and my yo-yo dieter brother both said they don't have any stretch marks so I'm inclined to think it might be my genetics like pp have mentioned