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Pregnancy

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

Original poster

How many women actually get STRETCHMARKS?

52 replies

farmgirls · 18/04/2009 22:25

In my last pregnancy 2 years ago I didn't get a single stretchmark (before you say jammy bugger, I had a vaginal birth second degree tear instead and a semi-prolapse )so I'm wondering the likelihood in this current pregnancy (due in 8 weeks)?

This time, I've lots of visible blue veins all over my bump - is that what turns into stretchmarks?

It sounds vain I know, but I figured if I suffered the greater evil of tear and prolapse, karma will let me off stretchmarks!

My sister has lots of them from her 3 pregnancies yet I have none so far, so the Genes theory can't be right.

My post-birth belly bump never really went down much from 2 years ago so perhaps my belly skin is still stretched enough not to need to stretch anymore this time?

How common are stretchmarks in pregnancy I wonder?

OP posts:
SoupDragon · 18/04/2009 22:26

[shrug] I got stretchmarks and a 3rd degree tear with DS1 so your karma theory can go out the window.

thisisyesterday · 18/04/2009 22:27

i got them, all 3 times

TrinityIsGettingABabyRhino · 18/04/2009 22:27

I have alwasy thought I ws very very lucky
I dont have a single stretchmark
I have had three pg and three vaginal births
also had no real tears or prolapse

sorry you have had to go through that
and I do realise I am very lucky

onepieceofcremeegg · 18/04/2009 22:28

I didn't get stretchmarks ( which I am thankful for) but I did get hyperemesis.

It's a shame we can't complete some sort of multi choice questionnaire as to what we would prefer during pg. Personally I would have ticked the stretchmark box rather than go through what I did. (and I know many others that have been through worse pregnancies than mine)

MintyyAeroEgg · 18/04/2009 22:28

Lol! I got stretchmarks in the last couple of weeks of my first pregnancy. I thought I'd gotten away with it up til then. I said to the MW "look, something has bitten me and I've scratched myself in the night, I've got these bright red blotchy streaks right underneath my bump!".

She just looked at me .

hester · 18/04/2009 22:29

I didn't get stretchmarks, even though I got huuuuge. No idea why - sheer luck, I suppose.

techpep · 18/04/2009 22:29

I also am covered in stretchmarks, but neither of my sisters got a single one.

wilkos · 18/04/2009 22:31

i had no stretchmarks and a beautifuls smooth bump until a week after i had dd, when out of nowhere 5 or 6 appeared.

they faded quite quickly though

i don't think my mum had themt all but after she had my little sister she did end up with a really saggy belly instead, so that something to look forward to...

foxytocin · 18/04/2009 22:34

no stretchmarks after 2. i do think genes play a big role. you and sis won't have same set of genes unless you are identical twins.

PurplePillow · 18/04/2009 22:35

I too am one of the lucky ones who got no stretchmarks but I did end up with a cs scar.

Hope it goes more smoothly for you this time

notnowbernard · 18/04/2009 22:36

Me

Silver ones though, as a sort of consolation prize

Meglet · 18/04/2009 22:37

I haven't got any after 2 dc's, and I gained nearly 4 stone in my first pregnancy. My Mum didn't and according to her neither did her mum.

Guadalupe · 18/04/2009 22:37

I got LOADS, first time round too. In fact I didn't really any more with the next two but I already had so many. All over my stomach, hips bum and legs, backs of my knees etc.

My mother got one.

Prosecco · 18/04/2009 22:38

me

CompareTheMeerkat · 18/04/2009 22:38

I got stretchmarks.

Put on lots of weight which probably didn't help.

My mum got them too.

Guadalupe · 18/04/2009 22:39

I put on four stone first time, from eight to twelve which I suppose is half my body weight again.

Marthasmama · 18/04/2009 22:40

My stomach is covered, absolutely covered in them. DS never engaged, was 8lb 3 and I have almost no gap between my hip bone and rib cage, so there was never any chance that I wouldn't get stretchmarks! I got my first one at 8 months. I could feel them pop when ds moved at the end. DD didn't get as big so second time round, no additional stretchmarks.

ScummyMummy · 18/04/2009 22:41

I got about a zillion with my overdue twins. No new ones so far with this one but am only 24 weeks in.

CarofromWton · 18/04/2009 22:41

I didn't get any stretchmarks from either pregnancy, but I did get horrendous sickness in both (exactly the same as my mom and sister, so there may be a genetic link)???

SatHereSitting · 18/04/2009 22:42

I really thought I wouldn't get them as I didn't really get any as a teenager and my mum and sister never got any when pregnant, so I guessed I had good genes. Anyway they started to appear at 30 weeks exactly (I still mourn the day [sad)and since then they have got worse and worse, they are now bright red and purple and from the bottom to the top of my bump.

It makes me laugh because I'm always moaning to people about how bad they are, and they'll say "oh come on they can't be that bad!" and then they recoil in horror when I show them and say "oh they do look sore/bad" I'm like I know, god damm it!!!

But I would guess if you didn't get them first time round, you will probably escape them this time as well.

katiepotatie · 18/04/2009 22:42

1st pregnancy none gthen appeared till after the birth, reddish ones but could be covered by bikini. This time round (due in 6 days)I can actually feel them appearing! They seen to be making a sort of target shape round my belly button. Going to try Bio Oil to see if they fade, I'm quite upset, DH says they are my badge of honour!

stillenacht · 18/04/2009 22:43

loads of them but had them when my hips grew at 9/10 so was always destined to get them in pregnancy

HeadFairy · 18/04/2009 22:44

the gene thing could still apply, you just got the no stretchmark gene. I didn't get any either, although I have loads on my hips from puberty, none from pregnancy. My sister and my mother didn't get them either so I guess we all share that portion of a gene.

stillenacht · 18/04/2009 22:45

but then in my first pg i put on 6.5 stone! (eek!)

stillenacht · 18/04/2009 22:45

my mum has got loads - her tummy always was a source of fascination for me as a kids as i remember!