Stretch mark prevention.

[AprilShwrs]

I’m currently using bio oil on my stomach everyday in the hopes of preventing, or let’s be honest; at the very least reducing, the impact of stretch marks as my bump grows, but I’m sure I heard it’s not actually very good.

What else are you mumma’s using, or used, that you feel worked a treat?

I used Palmer's cocoa butter stretch mark lotion throughout my pregnancy and I don't have any stretch marks on my tummy .. not sure if that's the reason but I'd recommend it regardless!

Nothing works. Stretch marks happen on a deeper level of your skin than anything you rub into it. You're either genetically going to get them or you aren't. The only thing you can actually do that might make a difference is not gain unnecessary weight.

Unfortunately there's very little you can do to prevent them. It's largely genetic

Nothing works, don’t waste your money.

I didn’t get any in first pregnancy, or so I thought. Once I’d had baby and skin was no longer taut over my bump I realised that I had a few below my belly button and some on my hips. I moisturised with cocoa butter/bio oil daily.

This time I’m sure I might have got a few more as my skin is very itchy where my current stretch marks are - again, now skin is taut I can’t actually see them. I started this pregnancy 1.5stone heavier than I started my first pregnancy. I have moisturised bump about 4 times and I’m
37 weeks - amazing how much more of a priority sleep becomes over skincare when you have a toddler as well as a pregnancy!

I heard that pregnancy bump belts are meant to help? Apparently

It's genetic.

At least you will have nice soft skin on your stomach, though petroleum jelly aka vaseline would be cheaper.

Unfortunately it’s genetic.

Yep, this. My mum didn't get stretch marks and I didn't either with my first baby.

Those are for things like pelvic girdle pain and they don't help.

Steady weight gain on a super healthy diet. No stretch marks and a 4 st gain

Bump belt for stretch marks? Never heard of it being a thing.

It's a lot to go with genetics, but eat healthily and exercise to not gain more weight than is necessary. If you get them, and most women do whether in pregnancy or at other times, they fade.

I didn’t get any on my stomach but got a few on my hips despite not seeming to gain weight on my hips but having a big bump. 🤷🏻‍♀️

Another vote for Palmers cocoa butter. I have 2 DC & no stretch marks at all.
Obviously it might just be down to luck / genetics but my mum has lots of stretch marks & so I expected to get some too but I didn't!

First pregnancy used bio oil and cocoa butter religiously; second time did it when I remembered. I didn’t get stretch marks but I think it is mostly luck and genetics

38 weeks pregnant with my first baby.
I didn't get any until two weeks ago - I was gutted!

I've been using mamma mio tummy butter rub, waleda stretch mark cream, cocoa butter and bio oil!

I've accepted that it's just purely genetic. It made me feel like I was doing something with the creams but it really is out of our control unfortunately.

I developed terrible stretch marks on my hips during puberty, so I was really worried I’d be predisposed to getting them during pregnancy.
Some how I got absolutely none. I’m usually terrible for not using body lotion, but I was really strict at using a Mamamio oil and body butter throughout pregnancy.
Could be this prevented the stretch marks or could be I just got lucky.

Contrary to the posts above it's not purely a genetic issue, environment plays a role.

Under advice from my mum, I used shea and cocoa butter, and biooil with my first and voila no stretch marks. She also stressed no scratching - this is a main driver for stretch marks.

A lot of my friends scratched and itched like no tomorrow, didn't moisturise their skin, and go figure, they all had stretch marks.

@Outside9 Well your friends have different genetics to you.

Itching does not cause stretch marks. Why do people make this shit up?🤦🏻‍♀️

I had no stretch marks, I rubbed mamma mio oil from my boob , thighs and tummy area every day after a shower after 3 months all the way to full term.

I had a propensity to get them but avoided and the skin went completely back to normal after.

I'm not sure if its genetics but this worked for me

Oils and creams can help soothe tightness and itchiness but won’t stop stretch marks. You can use all the lotions in the world and get stretch marks or use nothing and get no marks at all. It all happens in the deeper layers of skin. Drinking plenty of water and eating well can keep the skin in the best condition but there really isn’t much else you can do. It also depends on things like babies positioning and how your carrying. I’ve had 3 DC and didn’t get any stretch marks with number 2, but did with 1 & 3.

Argan oil

I was huuuuuge with both of mine but not a stretch mark in sight, luck of the drawer I’m afraid.

Interesting! Thank you everyone for your replies. I feel I may be prone to stretch marks as I got them when I was a teenager during a growth spurt, my hips and breasts mostly. So maybe I’ll just have to resign myself to the fact I’ll get them regardless, gonna keep up the daily skincare routine though (my partner rubs the oil into my bump; it’s a nice way for him to feel involved and bond with the baby before birth too) and if anything I’ll have lovely soft skin 😅

@AprilShwrs I was about to say my husband rubbed almond oil into my bump every night, it was a nice way for him to bond with baby. I didn’t get any stretch marks but I know it was down to genetics