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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

Original poster

Should I buy something to prevent stretch marks or is it a waste of time?

205 replies

barbareebaa · 15/06/2008 13:10

What do you think?

I'm 19 weeks preg (almost!!) and my friends say I should be putting something on my little bump.

Do stretch mark creams/ lotions work?

Someone recommended bio-oil but its tres expensive and I don't want to buy it if I'm going to get stretch marks anyway...

what about palmers cocoa butter?

Any advice would be gratefully received!!

OP posts:
catnipkitty · 21/09/2012 15:49

No stretchmarks for me after singleton and twin pregnancies. my mum and sister didn't have any either after 4 and 3 pregnancies respectively. I think it can depend on your own particular skin/genetics etc. I didn't use any creams or lotions because don't believe they would've helped at all.

IndridCold · 21/09/2012 15:57

DM had terrible stretch marks from two 10lb+ babies, but I only have one tiny wrinkle just under my belly button fom one 7lb baby! I never used creams, but I did have a very small bump.

My tummy muscles are as wobbly as jelly now though Grin.

eurochick · 21/09/2012 15:58

A zombie thread in discussions of the day? Unusual...

spiderlight · 21/09/2012 16:06

I used Palmers (fairly sporadically due to general crapness) and didn't get a single one, although when I first went on the pill as a teenager my boobs had a bit of a growth spurt (from an AA to an A) and I got terrible stretch marks then!

Thumbwitch · 21/09/2012 16:13

Most odd! Zombie thread - did MNHQ not notice either? Wink

No stretchmarks here. I like to think it's because I take a fish oil capsule daily. My sister and mum both have/had horrendous stretch marks (but then both are/were morbidly obese as well and I'm not).

CakeBump · 21/09/2012 16:15

You can't prevent stretchmarks, it's hereditary.

However, I have been moisturising religiously because of the itching...

natcat7000 · 21/09/2012 16:43

I slathered on the oil for 8 months and was getting a bit cocky because there were no stretch marks in sight but then boom overnight I had loads! You might be ok if you have a itty petite little baby but my son was a hefty 9.6oz and I was massive so I really had no chance.

perfectstorm · 21/09/2012 16:45

Luck dictates stretchmarks. Marketing dictates cream use.

I smugly believed I'd escaped them. Then I saw myself in a full length mirror at 7 months pregnant, and they were just hidden under my bump.

fussychica · 21/09/2012 17:01

Luckily I didn't get any - bought something from the Boots Mums range which seem to work or perhaps it's good genes, though judging by the wrinkles on my face perhaps they just migrated north! Didn't put on any weight in addition to the amount recommended so that might have helped.

halcyondays · 21/09/2012 17:03

I dont think oils or creams make a difference tbh. I used the Neal's Yard one when I remembered and still got stretchmarks. I thought I was going to escape them, but they developed in the last few weeks. With my second, I don't think I really used anything and I didn't really get any new stretchmarks.

rockinhippy · 21/09/2012 17:22

Not - I only used Olive oil in the last couple of month, nothing before & managed to get away stretch mark free - TBH I think its the luck of the draw - some do, some don't, those that do can help with oils, but I doubt it stops them - & I know plenty who wear hem with pride when they do show up, so relax, enjoy your pregnancy & what will be, will be :)

MoomieAndFreddie · 21/09/2012 17:39

I don't think anything works tbh

You either get them or you don't.

Wheresmypopcorn · 21/09/2012 18:08

I agree with sweet kitty - think it genes. My mum didn't have any neither did my sisters.

Safmellow · 21/09/2012 18:49

My mum had really bad ones, I had none! Didn't use any cream either as I thought it was inevitable. Also was worried about using anything that might be absorbed into me and LO (am super paranoid about that kind of thing!)

QuiteOldGal · 21/09/2012 18:52

i didn't get any and put on well over three stones also didn't use any moisturiser. I sure it must be genetic as my mum didn't get them either.

Tinuviel · 21/09/2012 19:14

3 DCs, all over 9lb; no creams used; no stretchmarks.

MolotovBomb · 21/09/2012 19:21

I think that if you're going to get stretchmarks, you'll get them no matter what.

I know that I'm very lucky, or have good genes or something, as I have had two full-term babies and did not get stretchmarks. I gained about 20lbs with each pregnancy, so my bumps were all baby :)

That said, I did need to use a heavy-duty cream int third trimesters as my skin itched on my tummy due to it stretching. I used lashings of L'Occitaine's Shea Butter with DD1 and Origins' Whipped Ginger Body Butter with DD2.

The nice thing is that whenever I smell those creams, I get an instant memory hit of being pregnant Grin

scarletforya · 21/09/2012 19:32

I didn't get any but didn't use anything. I'm skeptical as to whether the oils and potions work. I did buy bio oil but I never seemed to get on a roll with using it.

TribbleTuckandDismount · 21/09/2012 19:41

I used (and am doing so again) Mama Mio bump stuff and bio oil twice a day. I didn't get any on my tummy last time, but got them on my hips and bum. I like the smell and its a little ritual for me now.

I also used a lot of body butter as well.

I have oily skin, so this may be related to none on my tummy.

SarryB · 21/09/2012 19:50

If you're prone to stretchmarks you'll get them. I have tons, after just one baby. My mother has had 7 children and only has one small one!

I used Lush Massage bars during pregnancy, they smell so good! And I found that afterwards, bio-oil has helped them to fade a bit. Bio-oil is quite good, a little goes a long way!

33goingon64 · 21/09/2012 19:56

I didn't get any and I am very prone to such things. When gaining/losing weight as a teenager I got some but didn't get any after pregnancy.

Babyrabbits · 21/09/2012 19:58

With my first i used lods of creams, oils etc, with my second nothing!
Not one stretch mark with either, i think it's your skin.
:-)

The coco butter smells divine though.

lambinapram · 21/09/2012 20:13

I agree with Thumbwitch, taking Omega 3 fish oils work. I got terrible stretch marks when I hit puberty on my hips and breasts, but nothing at all from my pregnancy - I took Omega 3 through out. I didn't use any creams or oils either.

How they work:
kellycolby.com/blog/health/preventing-stretch-marks/

libbyssister · 21/09/2012 21:12

3 DSs, no stretch marks, didn't moisturise just the luck of the draw.

voscar · 21/09/2012 21:13

I think it's genetics -you'll either get them or you won't. I didn't use cream on my bump - and I wa huiuuge!!! I gained 3.5 stone, and I didn't get one stretch mark. I'm 7 weeks post partum from an emergency c section with only a stone left to lose and still don't have any - still haven't put any cream on :/

Cream might help reduce the intensity once they are there but it won't prevent them IMO.