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

[barbareebaa]

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!!

I think the problem is that you can't do it twice to see what does or doesn't work, so saying "I used X and don't have stretchmarks" or "I used X and have loads" doesn't mean much really. It might be a good product or rubbish product but you don't know what would have happened otherwise to judge.

I didn't use anything but didn't get any stretch marks despite getting HUGE! I really think its genetic or something and there's probably nothing you can do. So don't think it's your fault if you do get them and didn't use 'the right thing' during pregnancy. Good luck.

Agree with Luckystar. I'm quite small framed but have had eight full term pregnancies and been huge, but never used any creams or anything else and haven't got any stretch marks at all.

Look, I think it's genetics. My mum had 4 pregnancies and has no stretch marks. She didn't use any creams. I am now on my second pregnancy and I don't have any so far. Last time I used MamaMio from day one. This time I haven't got round to getting any, although I will. I don't know if the fact I have no marks is down to the cream or not, but something worked!

Wait, Yellowtip - EIGHT?????? Do you ever sleep?

I think it's genetics, but it can't hurt to use something. I used Boots or Body Shop body butters, as I found they rubbed in better than oil. Use every day - by the time you realise your bump has had a growth spurt (!) it's too late for any preventative stretch mark action...

I can't beleive that someone uppthread said they LOVE their stretch marks wtf??

I was always told it was hereditary so look at your mums and your grandmothers tummies!
My mum, nan and sister don't have any on their tummies but my sister has them else where. I had a 8lb 3ozs DD and twins 7lb 12ozs and 6lb 12ozs so I have been well stretched, I got two with the twins on my side which is nothing. So I really think it depends on your skin!
Good luck with your pregnancy and if you do get them don't let it upset you, my best friend was covered in them and she says they are her mark of motherhood and she's proud of them :-) x

I think it's random.
I'm 40 weeks tomorrow and don't have any and haven't used any creams. I know they can appear in the last couple of weeks but my mum didn't have any either.
I do have stretch marks from puberty.
To be honest I don't think faded stretch marks look bad at all, though I'm still quite happy to not have any (so far).

I used Bio oil last time, it seemed to work Ok. However the smell.... eeewww. It is guaranteed to make me throw up every time it's just so disgusting, like plastic but more chemical. Why don't they make one that doesn't smell>!
It's so bad I'm on the hunt for an alternative.

Genetics or random. I have sensitive skin (massive issues breastfeeding and shreeded nipples) and I am an older mother (39yrs, just had DS on 1 August) but still have no stretchmarks, despite considerable weight gain and not using much oil, cream during pregnancy as I was ... well not too lazy but did not like the feel of oil on my bump. Someone told me Bio Oil was what I should use or something from Estee Lauder, did not do either but used some E45 shower cream every now and then, which was nice.

I'm 39 weeks pregnant and before being pregnant had stretch marks on my thighs and bum so was convinced I was going to be covered, but I haven't got one yet. I moisturised every day, with palmers cocoa butter, palmers tummy butter, palmers olive oil cream or elizabeth arden 8 hour body cream. I used bio oil in the bath. People say the last week is the time they appear so I'm not convinced yet but so far so good for me.

I think we all end up getting stretch marks but if you use cream or oil it may prevent them from being so red, I'm using palmer cocoa butter for stretch marks and putting some baby oil in my bath, my skin has seem to got quite dry as well so it's just helps mostiures it! my sister used creams and she only ended up with a few tiny ones at the end.

"I think we all end up getting stretch marks.. "

So those of us who have categorically stated that we have none are - what, lying? delusional? Blind? or just stupid?

Kidding ourselves possibly?

I haven't got any so far either (38 weeks with DC2) and use Palmers. I've no idea if it works or if I'd have been lucky anyway but since it did the job last time I used it again...

Duchesse. My daughter suddenly had stretch marks - red- when she was 14, but only on her thighs. Is that were you had them? They have disappeared now years later.

Yep, that's the place. I do have a few on my breasts as well from early pregnancy (went from an A to a C/D and have never gone back), but none on stomach at all.

FWIW, I am not sure that there is any sure way to prevent them. I do think it is possible to minimize your chances however, through excerice, diet, and skincare. I got stretch marks in puberty but none during pregancy despite going two weeks overdue. I was the first person in my family to avoid stretch marks. Can never be sure about correlatino v. cause but here's what I did about skincare.

I was unimpressed with bio oil, palmers etc. V. expensive and, in the case of palmers, contain barely any cocoa butter (although it has a lovely perfume imo). Suggest buying organic cold pressed coconut oil and/or nilotica shea butter/and or cold pressed cocoa butter and/or jojoba oil. Because pure cocoa butter is solid, you you will need to mix it in with something to make it useable. i.e. melt down with some coconut oil and some jojoba or almond oil. You can do this in large batches. Massage into your skin at least once - ideally twice - a day. For cheap oils check out wholesale sites such as fresholi/freshskin etc.

Apologies for all the typos btw.

Who knows if it works or not???

I used grape seed oil which I scented myself with nereoli & mandarin essential oils (both v good for skin). 2 huge bellies, no stretch marks. Plus its lovely to run in.

I do have stretch marks from weight gain in late teens - so I would say I am susceptible to them.

At first I used vaseline gel oil. But im far too lazy to use it religiously so in the end i ended up with stretch marks. But i have embraced them, not so much i will get them out on holiday just yet but they dont bother me.

Feck and buggar. Was going to smug post about not having any but 38 weeks and they have arrived Albeit faint ones do far - it is so unfair!! Have been using bio oil and palmers, so they clearly don't work. Off to drink lots of water and buy some vitamin e. !!

I used palmers the first time and nothing the second. I've got no stretch marks,so I imagine its down to skin elasticity etc.