Stretch Mark Prevention

[sabtom]

I'm only 5/6 weeks with my first but I was wondering are there any products I could start using now to help prevent stretch marks? Or are they inevitable?

No, unfortunately stretch marks are hereditary and if you're going to get them, it doesn't matter what product you use, you'll still get them. Obviously a lot of women will say that they used xyz product and they didn't get stretch marks , but they wouldn't have had them anyway.

Ask your Mum / sisters if they got them - if they did, you're probably going to get them .

As previous poster - they are genetic - you'll either get them or you won't no amount of expensive creams will stop them

I didn't have any until the final few weeks of pregnancy. Then it looked as though I had been attacked by Freddie kruger.

Not a bad idea to keep well hydrated though.

As others have said, they are largely hereditary I believe, but even so, I am quite religious about staying hydrated (I was before pregnancy too in fairness) and I moisturise bump morning and evening everyday… just in case

It’s also common to get stretch marks after you’ve given birth too unfortunately

I didn't get any I used lush dream cream and bio oil. I have them
On my legs from growing up so I am
prone to them. Dunno if it helped or just luck!

I’m 33 weeks and know I’m prone to them because I’ve had them on my legs before I was pregnant.. have used bio oil every single night and don’t have a single stretch mark on my bump yet! Trying not to be relieved about it too soon in case they still appear but think I’m now going to put moisturiser on during the day as well as that at night

As others have said they are purely hereditary. I have them on my legs from when I was a teen but I didn’t get one on my tummy when I was pregnant, and my mum didn’t either. I barely moisturised! Don’t go buying expensive specific lotions and potions, stick with your normal moisturiser and hope for the best!

I think they are hormonal hence why teenagers get them. Weirdly I got some on my bikini line at 4 months when my bump was tiny but that was it.

As others have said, it's purely genetic. My consultant actually made a point of telling me not to buy any expensive cream for stretch marks because it would make no difference. As it is, I did try Bio oil early in my current pregnant and I've still got dark, widespread stretch marks absolutely everywhere. I do still moisturise day and night so my skin feels less tight but the stretch marks are livid. However, I know they will fade in time and they are simply a reminder of a wonderful pregnancy.

Bio oil!

Unfortunately I think you either get them or you don't. My stripes are like a tigers. I see them as a rite of passage and remind myself how fortunate I am to carry my baby. That said, I find bio oil makes them itch a bit less and I love the scent so feels quite indulgent and spa like rubbing it on my bump.

It's genetic depending on what your skin is like and also the other factors will be other largely uncontrollable factors too like the size of baby/size of your bump, your weight gain and how quickly you put on weight/how quickly baby grows as they are all things that put a lot of stretching stress on the skin. In my first pregnancy I got a few on my breasts but none anywhere else. I'm 25 weeks with no.2 and already have a few more on my breasts, and as my bump is massive this time already I'm sure I will get some on there before long!

Thank you all for your answers. I had no idea they were hereditary, I believe my mum had a few but my sister had none. I guess I'll just stick to good ol' Nivea and hope for the best 🤞🏻

I didn’t have any at all until 33 weeks, just one or two under my bump where the skin is thinner but nowhere else. I’ve been using My Expert Midwife Fantastic Skin Elastic which has been lovely on my stretching skin and it smells amazing! I don’t know how much it has helped to prevent my stretch marks being worse but it’s a definitely a nice daily treat. 😊

I didn't have any for DS1 in pregnancy then quite a few postnatal when bump went down. They faded pretty quickly though

This time I have some around my belly button at 36 weeks not worried though

It does appear to be genetic - but keep hydrated and moisturise as the skin stretching will become itchy at some point