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Pregnancy

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

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Original poster

Preventing stretch marks?

21 replies

Katmaid · 05/07/2010 15:35

Hi there, I'mm 22 weeks pregnant with my first dc and am wondering if anyone has any tips on stretch mark prevention? My mum and sister both got really bad ones so I'm a bit paranoid about it. My sis used cocoa butter religiously, but it didn't seem to help at all. A friend recommended bio oil, but it seems very pricey and I've heard that it isn't actually very good for you.

Any advice?

OP posts:

lolabanola · 05/07/2010 16:01

Sadly if you are going to get them you will and no amount of cream will prevent them from coming! It's supposed to be genetic, my Mum had none with all 3 of her children but by sister is covered in them from her 3 pregnancies, I'm 28 weeks and so far have none, I do keep on slapping the cream on though in hope and desperation that I don't get any ... My cream cost £1, it has shea butter and vitamin e in - both good for the skins elasticity. I wouldn't go buying an expensive one, not when there is no real prevention.

Original poster

Katmaid · 05/07/2010 16:07

Thanks for that advice. I've heard that about vitamin E too. I'll live in hope!

OP posts:

LizRob · 05/07/2010 16:08

Hi, I got horrid stretchmarks and used bio oil on them, which seemed to help a bit, but I stopped when I realised it is paraben-based, which isn't supposed to be good for you.

GobbyGabby · 05/07/2010 16:09

I've tried loads of creams and stuff, nothing seems to have really helped. A friend tried a new one called Phytaoil which is all natural ingredients. She really liked it so I'm going to try it too. I'll come back when I know where to get it from.

lolabanola · 05/07/2010 16:23

I personally would just buy a cheap vitamin e cream rather than wasting money on creams that don't work, I did read on here somewhere that if you got stretch marks in your teenage years then you are prone to them and will more than likely get them in pregnancy, my sister did get them in her teenage years so perhaps she is just prone to them? I didn't get any but still have 12 weeks of pregnancy left so we will see. I suppose it's also down to how much weight you put on and how much 'stretching' your body has to do!

wildstrawberryplace · 05/07/2010 16:26

If you're genetically predisposed to them, NOTHING is gonna stop them appearing, sorry.

However, they can and do fade with time from purple horrors to silvery streaks.

My mum had horrendous ones, so I spent £££ on French creams and used Strivectin afterwards...but I reckon it was a waste of money.

Creams and oils only treat the upper dermis layers, and are good for itchy bumps but that is about it. Once the marks appear your skin is changed at the base layers and it will heal slightly but they will never disappear.

However on the positive side, once you're on other side somehow you won't really care so much especially once they start to fade and go silvery.

I thought I would really be bothered but I just don't wear a bikini any more and that is about it.

SarahMiller · 05/07/2010 16:36

Isn't that Strivectin stuff super expensive?!

I guess it's true that you can't totally prevent, or treat, stretchmarks but I'm still keen to do something about mine! I've heard of that Phytaoil stuff too so that's next on my list to test...

GobbyGabby · 05/07/2010 16:36

Right, she got Phytaoil from here:
www.worldwideshoppingmall.co.uk/body-soul/phytacol-phytaoil.asp

She really likes it, and since it isn't expensive, I'm going to give it a go. I'll let you know what I think!

MrsGangly · 05/07/2010 17:03

I've been using Bio-Oil too. I have some stretch marks, but the main thing is how relaxing it is at the end of the day when my DH rubs it into my bump and back.

1pregheadpumpkin · 05/07/2010 17:04

embrace them. they're for a good cause! you may look like a road map now but they will fade to almost nothing and you get a nice squeezy baby for your troubles!

was horrified when i found them on my thighs at about 20 weeks but curiously, the bigger they get and the further they spread the less i care.

beancounting · 05/07/2010 18:19

I've used bio-oil since about 25 weeks and haven't got any stretch marks yet (am 40+2 now) - not sure if this is the oil or genetics (although I did get some as a teenager so can't be totally immune)!

In any case it feels nice on my skin and I found it helps relieve the tight feeling on the bump.

btw I've checked the ingredients and there are no parabens listed but I don't know if there are different formulations.

thatbuzzingnoise · 05/07/2010 18:21

I'd say it is genetics. My mum had 6 kids and no stretch marks. I've had 2 and no stretch marks. (My mil, 5 kids and no stretch marks.)

None of us did anything special.

PJen · 05/07/2010 18:41

It's not genetic and preventable. Two of gf's moms and whole family had stretch marks but they prevented it with bio oil. bio oil is not that pricey if you order it through amazone.co.uk. I have ordered 200 ml ones for under 11 GBP plus free delivery. I am 18 wks now and have been applying bio oil since wk 6 and still there is 30% left in my 200 ml bottle so I guess 3-4 bottle of 200 ml should do the whole pregnancy. Also, it depends on the area that you rub on. I put it on my tummy and boobs the most as I am not worried about my back parts - they are not getting bigger so there should be no stretch marks!

kreecherlivesupstairs · 05/07/2010 18:45

I have a mother (2 children) with no stretch marks, a sister with 8 children including two sets of twins no stretch marks, me, one DD with a few.

sedgiebaby · 05/07/2010 19:01

I was thinking its genetic, if you get them you get them but....My SIL's mum had awful stretch marks, my SIL , but she had them from growing as a teenager.

Another friend used the palmers stuff and said she was dedicated! she put on 4 stone, and her motto was 'if the belly's not greasy something's wrong!' She got no stretch marks on her belly but did on her thighs where she did not put the cream so I now think, slather that cream/oil on!!

sedgiebaby · 05/07/2010 19:02

PS I recently got bio oil half price on amazon the big bottle for £10 delivered

PlasticCenturion · 05/07/2010 19:07

The creams and potions make no difference to whether you get them. Genetics isn't as straightforward as 'my mother didn't have them, so I won't either'. If you're going to get them, you will. As a previous poster pointed out, the bit of your skin where the stretchmarks occur isn't reachable with any lotion or potion. I have them everywhere, my knees, boobs, thighs, stomach, back, bum. I also got them during puberty. I am slim, fit and healthy and put cream on daily anyway as I have dry skin. The creams may make you feel better and less itchy but stretchmarks will come if they're going to.

5DollarShake · 05/07/2010 19:11

Don't get too smug if you're thinking the bio oil works!

I used it throughout my pregnancy with DS1, and remained stretch mark-free, right up until the last couple of weeks, when I noticed just one or 2 right at the bottom of my bump.

This time, I've used it again, and bam, the stretch-marks appeared months ago! At nearly 36 weeks, my tummy is covered with them.

I didn't do anything differently. However, my bump with DS1 was very low. This bump on the other hand, is very high, so different - or maybe more - skin is getting stretched.

sedgiebaby · 05/07/2010 19:33

just noticed half my post is missing, my SIL who had stretch marks from growing as a teenager used bio oil x3 per day and didn't get one, so I'm persisting with it.

GobbyGabby · 08/07/2010 10:09

Hi all,

Right, I've got the PhytaOil through. Similar price as Bio Oil (about a tenner), and so far I am really pleased with it. It's much leass greasy than Bio oil, smells lovely and seems to have all natural ingredients. I'll let you know if I think it works.

smannings · 14/07/2010 13:49

Hi, another vote for PhytaOil here. I used it on scarring following an operation to remove a tumour in my breast and the scarring is virtually invisible now. I was amazed at how well it worked! It seemed to rub in better than Bio Oil too - no one wants an oily boob after all!

Will keep you posted on how well it works with stretch marks if/when they appear.

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