Stretch Marks - Warren, OH

It has been proven stretch marks is primarily a genetic factor and no cream on Earth will make them go away or keep you from getting them. The cream may make you feel better, not itch as much, or feel less tight, but it will NOT affect the marks themselves. Only time will tell if they will fade completely. Some women's fade to the point they are not really noticable ....and some don't. Unfortunate fact is it's out of one's control.

My trick was and I learned it from mom was vaseline....I got a couple of old mens t-shirts and rubbed a ton of vaseline, especailly at night before bed and put those old shirts on so not to ruin sheets or good clothes. I put it on at least twice a day and I agree with baby oil as well after the shower but as I said vaseline stays on longer and I had no stretch marks and I had a big ole tummy................good luck

My solution to my wonderful stretch marks...Thanking God for the wonderful son that caused them! I tried lots of stuff. Nothing worked. I have horrible stretch marks. I didn't really even notice I had them until the baby's dropped in the end of my pregnancy. I, too, as someone else said got them as I got into my 20's, with the hips spreading, before I was even pregnant.

My mother-in-law bought me Burt's Bees. Mommy's tummy butter and it has worked for me so far. I am 22 weeks, Due November 18. Good luck to you

Nothing to do for them, except deal with it, and they wont go away like everyone tell you either! 18 weeks is a little early to be getting them, are you sure there is only 1?? Good luck!

Hi Sara:
Congratulations! Everybody told me that stretch marks are genetic (if your mom had them, you probably will too), but I thought I'd try to prevent them anyway. I used Body Butter from The Body Shop - you can get it online - alternating with that "cocoa butter for stretch marks" that you can get in any cosmetics aisle.
Quick tip: My doctor told me not to use any lotion for 3 days before an ultrasound. It somehow builds up and affects the quality of the scan.
Oddly enough, I didn't get stretch marks from my pregnancy, but I did get them around my hips when I was your age, moving into my 20s! I guess they are inevitable after all. :) Have a happy, healthy pregnancy!

I had none with num one and due now with num two and still not one. ur in luck to be asking now cause u hvnt hit the huge stage yet. Johnsons babyoil gel....lub - lub and lub!! After i lost my baby weight i could wear a two piece and u could never tell i had a child. I gained 55 pds too!! blaaa!! It truely works. The gel rubs in so much better than the plain oil. I found the best time to apply was after i got outa the shower because ur skin soaks it up fast. Heres the funny part. I put it on my belly, legs, lower back ..pretty much everywhere but my bottom. Who thinks about rubing there bottom with lub...lol!! And thats where my strech marks are!! kinda funny. but heads up for u. Wish u the best of luck. I agree with u on the coco butter not working. Its more better for the streck marks "after" the fact with healing. takecare and enjoy ur preg. and lub!! hehe

S.,

Strech marks have more to do with the collagen content in your skin and sometimes it is unavoidable. If you already have them, you can't really get rid of them. All you can do is minimize the number of new ones that appear.

One thing is for sure, it's not only what you put ON your body as much as it is what you put IN your body. Make sure you have a healthy diet and take your prenatal vitamins and most definitely drink a LOT of water. I am at week 37 and have no stretch marks. Part of this is genetics (my mother never got them) and the rest is due to the never empty glass of water I always have. Sure you pee alot, but it's the best thing for you and your baby.

Another benefit from drinking lots of water is that you will actually have LESS water-retention than if you aren't well hydrated. Salt's also a culprit in water retention and you will be more sensitive to slat when you are pregnant. So avoid the chips and french fries if you can.

Good luck!
N.

Honestly? I don't think there is much you can do. Some get them, some dont. Try to stay hydrated, as someone else mentioned. Other than that, try not to let it bother you. They may look bad now, but they will fade a lot over time.

i probably got worse stretch marks than anyone i know (let's call them "baby ribbons") but they aren't very noticable after 4 years. i think some people get them and others do not. they don't ruin your life though, they just make you dress a little more modestly! congratulations, and try to concentrate on the FUN part of having babies!!!

Congratulations! I was one of the lucky ones who didn't get stretch marks, but have to agree, even the worst would be worth it. My doctor told me it was genetics, but my mom had stretch marks, so I don't know. I think everyone's advice is wonderful, I just have one more thing to add- being in good shape, I think if you are toned your muscles and skin are in better shape to be stretched around, I also firmly believe it helps for an easy delivery as well. I was only 21 when I had my son and in really good shape, I may not have eaten as well as I should have or drank enough water but I think because I already had strong, toned muscles, I had an easy pregnancy and breezy delivery-- I had my son in 26 minutes (they didn't even have time to give me drugs!!) and it was virtually painless, the worst part was the 30 minutes of back labor and that just felt like really bad cramps. Best of luck!!

I was one of the few lucky ones who snuck by with no stretch marks! Everyone says it's genetic that if your mom got them, you would too, but my mom has tons so I feel very lucky. I drank a TON of water while I was pregnant - I hear that gives your skin elasticity. When I went to bed at night, I rubbed on Johnson's baby oil (in the gel form). It's a little messy but it really works. I'm a 35 yr old mother of a 20 month old. Even if your stretch marks continue, just try to keep in mind that they will fade over time. They won't always be as noticable as they are now. Good luck! You have so many fun things ahead of you!

I've heard stretch marks can't really be prevented, but can be minimized. I believe the trick it to keep your skin as moiturized/elastic as possible. My sister gave me a kit of products made by Avent Naturally that has a light mist oil. I've been spraying that on my stomach every night with this pregnancy. My mom also gave me a couple tubes of an Avon product that is supposed to help with stretch marks. Maybe one of these would help.

Let us know if you figure anything out!

Try baby lotion . It worked great for me. Good luck

Studies have shown that there is nothing out there that will prevent stretch marks. Stretch marks occur if the skin is stretched too much too fast. The only way to prevent stretch marks, is to gradually get bigger, watch your calorie intake, and only gain the recommened amount of weight as suggested by your doctor (25-35lbs for an average weight person). Stretch marks at only 18wks pregnant isn't a good sign. I'm sorry to be the barrer of bad news, but that's awfully early for stretch marks. You may just be one of the ones that will have bigger battle scars to show for the wonderful gift you receive in the end.

hi S.,

how r u?? i hope someone has better info for you than i have. i got pregnant at 17. i did absolutely EVERYTHING that was suggested religously!! and i still got stretchmarks! i did the cocoa butter, olive oil, ect. my step daughter who just had a baby in jan at the age of 20, also got them, and i know she did everything humanly possible to avoid them. i was told it is in the genetics. but my mom never got them. so who knows. all i can say is good luck, and remember they are for a good cause!!!!!

C.

Honestly S., I don't think there's much you can do about them. I believe they are pretty much hereditary and has to do w/the elasticity of your skin. I've had 3 children and don't have any strech marks. Some of my friends have tons. It's just the luck of the draw in my opinion.

SORRY!

S.

Unfortunately creams do not always do the trick. It really depends on the elasticity of your skin. My best advice gain the reccomended weight. There are certain creams and treatment to reduce the stretch marks, but can only be used after birth beacause it may effect the baby.

Hi S.,
Congrats on your pregnancy im also due in December! This is my second pregnancy when i was pregnant with my son someone told me to rub baby oil on right before you get out of the shower.Im not sure if that is why but i didn't have any stretch marks with my son.Plus i was told to drink extra water.Good luck hope this helps!