Did you get stretch marks? Because I have a theory

[EffiePerine]

that it's partly dependent on your skin type

me: no stretch marks with DS (put on nearly 3 stone)
my MIL (no relation): no stretch marks with 3 big babies ( 9/10lb +) and she's pretty small

we do have similar skin tone/type, so could it be related? If you didn't get any stretch marks, what type of skin do you have (will reveal mine after survey in true scientific fashion)

[EffiePerine]

right so we appear to have very few people with dry skin and no stretchmarks

(well there are a few but I am putting htem down as genetic freaks unusual)

no statistical analysis of course

but what about streth marks less likely if you have oily skin AND are youngish (I was 31 with DS)?

oils and creams out of the equation as pretty much proven IIRC that they do not work

but the best thing obv is to have a mother with the same skin type as you who did not get stretchmarks

[rachelgreen]

I might be another strain of genetic freak unusual, as got not a single stretch mark on my belly after my pg (average baby 7lb 9), but have them on my boobs from previous weight loss (1.5 stone).

I do have combination skin and did use body oil religiously throughout my pg as thought the boobs stretch marks meant I was bound to get them on my belly!

[IorekByrnison]

Thinking about it I massaged in quite a lot of bio oil during pregnancy. Had absolutely no faith that it would work, but perhaps it did (despite pale, dry skin and previous history of stretchmarks).

[solo]

My mum and I have completely different skin types. Mine's olive and mums is very fine/fair...neither of us have stretch marks. I gained 4 1/2 stone with Ds.

[EBenes]

No stretch marks. I am very small and pale with normal skin. BUT, I had a very tiny bump throughout at c-s at 38 weeks. I think this time around will be different, as my skin has stretch marks from puberty.

[thumbwitch]

If you ignore the fact that this is advertising a cream that probably doesn't work, it has some interesting info on stretch marks.

I still maintain that good intake of vitamin C and essential fats is the best way to help prevent stretch marks, as the vit C is needed for collagen maintenance and the essential fats are needed for cell membrane maintenance.

[thumbwitch]

and good hydration too i.e. drink enough fluids

[Blu]

No stretch marks.

Sallow, almost olive-y skin, tan v v easily .

[ilovemydog]

No stretchmarks

Quite fair, blue eyes.

DD: 6,5 lbs
DS: 5,5 lbs

but used every stretch mark cream available

[piratecat]

i have a friend who puts weight on easily, is naturally about a size 12/14. She had NO stretchmarks. baby about 8lbs.

I have a friend who is much smaller and has small frame, she has stretchmarks. baby about 8lbs.

my baby was little, but i have stretchmarks, and was similar sized, skin colour to the first friend above, when pg.

[piratecat]

oh my colouring, dark hair, and sort of light olivey kinda skin.

[Oblomov]

Forgot to add, I have pale, oily skin. NONE. Used bio oil, but think all creams are useless.
My best friend has horrendous stretch marks. No reason, just bad luck I guess.

[ranirani]

do you think having extra fat (not too much but some) on your body can help you with getting less stretch marks than if you are skinny??????????
Just an idea.........

[jenkel]

No stretch marks, slightly olive skin, two kids, one average weight and another big when born. No particulaly oily or dry skin.

Mum had one average sized baby (me!), she is very pale skin and probably the same skin type as me and no stretchmarks either.

Now, varicose veins is another thing, Mum had them quite bad and a few are now popping up on me.

[serant]

The midwife told me that the more fat under the skin when pregnant leads to more strech marks as its the fat that causes the marks.

I have a couple of strech marks on my stomach and breasts , I am small and size 10 with inherited greasy skin!

[SheSellsSeashellsByTheSeashore]

i got strecth marks and have a darker skin tone and also tan very easily my mum got them and has fair skin. however mine have faded a lot better than hers and when tanned you can barely see mine.

[GBR]

I am like Thumbwitch and have fair freckly skin that tans a bit, with red/blonde hair. I have no stretchmarks, first baby 10lbs, this one a bit smaller (due in three weeks). I have put on about three stone for each pg but am size 14-16 to start off with anyway.

My mum had seven kids and no stretchmarks!! I have her skin type which is not dry or oily but which does heal very quickly and generally does not scar at all (from scratches, etc).

I think it's down to my chocolate intake, personally .....

[scorpio1]

I have had 3 baby's, biggest 8lb 9oz (eek)

Am normally a 6/8, and 5'9

Have no stretchmarks at all, neither does my mum (3dc) nor did my nan (5dc)

I have white skin, dont tan that well, am dark haired (naturally)

[fledtoscotland]

i got stretch marks on my boobs with DS. i put on about 3 stone but no marks on my thighs or stomach. this time i have only put on about 1 1/2 stone but have marks on my boobs and thighs.

skin type - very fair, never tan and have slightly oily skin

[fledtoscotland]

forgot to add was 32 when had DS and he was 7lbs 6ozs.

[TinkerBellesMum]

I have some but not many. I am fair (so light I look orange on the lightest foundation) with dark auburn hair.

I gave birth at 31 weeks (4lb 2oz) and was having three scans a week before then (the gel is a moisturiser) so not sure if those are factors.

[gingerninja]

I have dry very pale very northern European skin (which is not enjoying this current heat wave!) and I didn't get any pregnancy stretch marks.

My mum has oily skin and is much darker than me and got no stretch marks with any of her four pregnancies.

[ellideb]

I'm 33 weeks pregnant now and have got the dreaded stretch marks on tum, tops of thighs, inner thighs, bum and hips.

My skin type is fair, mousey hair, grey eyes, tan pretty well. Oilyish before pregnancy, dry now.

For what it's worth I don't believe in any products that are supposed help to prevent them they are all a load of bollocks.

I believe it does have something to do with a combination of factors whether or not you will get them, but not whether your skin is dry or oily. I think it has more to do with how quickly your skin has to stretch, how much and how much collagen you have.

[quickdrawmcgraw]

me- darkish skin.

with dd no stretch marks- she was 9.2
with ds a couple of very feint ones - he was 10.10

[notsoteenagemum]

I used every cream going with DD, and I actually lost weight due to horrific sickness and got about a million stretch marks she weighed 7lb 1, used nothing with DS put on weight and had no stretch marks at all he weighed 9lb 6! My skin is pale I don't really tan or burn only on face, feet ans shoulders.