Weird red marks on belly?

[AprilBaby2025]

I am 37+4 weeks pregnant. First baby and pregnancy. Yesterday, I went to my midwife appointment. Belly looked completely fine before and at the appointment. The midwife measured my fundal height, and felt around for the baby. She did specifically focus on the left side as that is where my baby likes to snuggle up. She’s like all on the left side lol and that’s where I feel 90% of her movements.

Anyways, several minutes after coming home (maybe 10-20 minutes later), I lifted up my shirt to look at my bump and I suddenly see all these red marks that weren’t there half an hour ago! I’ve attached 2 photos. One is from yesterday when I noticed them and one is from this morning (more faded).

I am freaking out as it looks like this type of marks can mean low platelets which can mean pre-eclampsia or HELLP. Although I have no other symptoms. I sent a photo to my midwife who just said she’s not concerned.

Has anyone experienced anything like this? Especially in the short time span of it appearing in like minutes?

I can’t see a picture but are you sure it isn’t stretch marks? They can appear very suddenly.

Agree with PP mine also appeared very suddenly at 39 weeks.

because of previous, recent problems on MN, your photos have not yet uploaded @AprilBaby2025

Are they something like this?

They look like stretch marks to me but if you're worried get checked out.

No they don’t look like that. They are in lines… kind of like scratches. But I don’t remember scratching it.

I am not a medical person but they look like stretch marks to me. They are quite faint.

Stretch marks.

Definitely stretch marks - don’t worry. They start off red and then fade.

baby is growing beautifully @AprilBaby2025

as others have said, stretch marks? 🚼

I think stretch marks too.

Stretch marks