Can we talk about stretch marks?

[westisleflower]

I know we are all early in our pregnancies, but I was wondering how early stretch marks come usually? I know it varies woman to woman but should I start using lotion/cocoa butter now to prevent? Anyone have any remedies they have used that worked?

[Andrea]

I have been slathering myself with Aquaphor & lotion after showers. Not any really scientific backing, but I figured I would just keep everything extra moisturized.

[pistachiomuffin]

Last pregnancy I got my first one at 16 weeks. I think I already have new ones from this pregnancy. My stomach is an absolute disaster even though I used lots to try and prevent them.

[frecklesnbrains]

Unfortunately there is absolutely nothing that prevents stretch marks. Either you are blessed with the type of skin that doesn't get them or you're not. I got a ton of stretch marks during adolescence just from normal growth spurts and pubertal changes - hips, thighs, breasts. So I know I'm prone to them. This is going to be an ugly ride!

[sandandsea]

I'm with pp. I tried everything last time to prevent them and nothing worked. They do fade a lot over time but they're definitely there. This time I'm not planning on doing anything.

[sandandsea]

Oh and they started around 20 weeks for me but got way worse the last 6 weeks.

[shan]

I did all the tricks last time. My first one appeared right at 20w... And they multiplied by the day. Now, I'm not doing anything. My stomach will never again see the light of day, regardless.

[regal]

Both pregnancies they showed up toward the end, 32 weeks+.

[Flair Underwood]

First time around - i found that when my belly got bigger it just got ITCHY all the time, so I lotioned 24/7 to help with that. It did NOT help with stretch marks. I was clear until like 32 weeks and then BAM - EVERYWHERE - thighs, sides, hips... and i was really devastated at first because they were SO red, like horrible. But now almost 4 years later they are really difficult to see unless you look. But, i'm hoping that having been so stretched out the first time before, it isn't SO Bad this time. we'll see.

[soultrane]

So I'm one of the lucky ones who didn't get any last time. I used cocoa butter after every shower, but I honestly think it just helped with the itchiness and kept me relatively comfortable. I'll probably start using it again when I have an actual bump and not just bloat.

[titania]

Nov 12, 2015 9:31:38 GMT -5 frecklesnbrains said:

Unfortunately there is absolutely nothing that prevents stretch marks. Either you are blessed with the type of skin that doesn't get them or you're not. I got a ton of stretch marks during adolescence just from normal growth spurts and pubertal changes - hips, thighs, breasts. So I know I'm prone to them. This is going to be an ugly ride!

It's actually comforting to know that I can't do anything about it.  One less thing to worry about doing!   

[RNfromMN]

Sometimes they don't show up until after you give birth. I totally agree with the genetics factor.

My mom only had one baby when she was 24, very lean and active and she never got them. This is #4 for me, I'm overweight, 37 and not very active - I only have a few.

[pbandj714]

I've been making sure to moisturize after every shower even now. I'll probably start using coconut oil eventually. I can only imagine the stretching that's going to go on with twins.

[frecklesnbrains]

Yeah I think all you can do is try to limit your weight gain to the healthy range and not have multiples (sorry pbandj714!). Otherwise it's all about genetics

[shoogars]

Nov 12, 2015 10:06:03 GMT -5 shan said:

I did all the tricks last time. My first one appeared right at 20w... And they multiplied by the day. Now, I'm not doing anything. My stomach will never again see the light of day, regardless.

This.

[bgkc4]

As a first time mom I am extremely concerned about this. My mom has awful stretch marks that she's had since she had me. I'm kind of prematurely mourning the loss of my figure. And I have a lot of guilt about my feelings. It feels selfish to be concerned about something so superficial. It's something I struggle with.

[mladerri]

bgkc4 take pictures of your body now including your boobs cause they'll never be the same.

My lovely body waited until 38 weeks to get stretch marks. My stomach looks like I got swiped by a tiger. They are my battle scars and there's nothing I can do about them except embrace. Once I lost the baby weight I just rocked the scars but now that my belly is back to flabby it's not looking so hot. I'm pretty sure I'll get more this time around.

[amiet79]

I agree with pp that there is nothing you can do to prevent them. I got stretch marks when I went through puberty at 13 from a growth spurt. I'm covered in stretch marks now after having 2 kids.
The worst ones are on my stomach, but I didn't wear a bikini before having kids so, whatever. I'm definitely not going to wear one now.

[sandandsea]

I gave up on bikinis after DS. Seriously, it will never happen again. I was 31 when I had him and went into the PG in great shape, athletic, and fit. Now, I'm 35, and my body never bounced back after having DS, so I'm not holding out much hope this time. Not to mention a general lack of time (you know, with a child and demanding career). My mom had her kids young (19-25), was TINY, and gained/lost all of the weight super easily and she still looks like a tiger attacked her stomach.

[cattuccino]

Most of mine actually showed up after delivery.
It was very cruel.

Sadly as pps have said, you can't really *stop* them.

Staying moisturized helps with elasticity and the itching.

Bio oil and stuff helps with keeping moisturized and can also help reduce the redness more quickly afterward.

[txmommy14]

I also didn't get any last time, but I've heard it's more genetic-either you get them or you don't-my Mom and sister never got them either!

[Andrea]

Nov 12, 2015 13:42:05 GMT -5 txmommy14 said:

I also didn't get any last time, but I've heard it's more genetic-either you get them or you don't-my Mom and sister never got them either!

So lucky!!!

[teggy20]

Like cattuccino, I got some after delivery, too! Mostly on my inner thighs. (or maybe I just couldn't see them over my humongo belly)... I was shocked and appalled. I also got a few on my hips that started showing up around 32 weeks or so. NOT looking forward to them this time around!

[vivela]

I have puberty stretch marks, so I'm sure I'll have plenty from pregnancy. My old ones are pale enough that you can't really see them, so hopefully they fade quickly!

[Kevinmac]

I have stretch marks from growing and gaining weight. I fear for what is going to happen to me.

[babyzebra]

I didn't get any on my belly last time, but I did get some on my boobs postpartum when my milk came in.

[txmommy14]

Nov 12, 2015 10:25:45 GMT -5 pbandj714 said:

I've been making sure to moisturize after every shower even now. I'll probably start using coconut oil eventually. I can only imagine the stretching that's going to go on with twins.

You might get lucky! I'm a twin, AND my Mom had an 11 pound baby, and she has no stretch marks! I'm really convinced it's genetic...

[pbandj714]

Nov 12, 2015 19:29:43 GMT -5 txmommy14 said:

Nov 12, 2015 10:25:45 GMT -5 pbandj714 said:

I've been making sure to moisturize after every shower even now. I'll probably start using coconut oil eventually. I can only imagine the stretching that's going to go on with twins.

You might get lucky! I'm a twin, AND my Mom had an 11 pound baby, and she has no stretch marks! I'm really convinced it's genetic...

That's good news! I've been worried because I'm pretty small and I've already started getting the "I don't know how you're going to be able to carry twins!" comments. My mom doesn't have any stretch marks either, so maybe I will be lucky, but I do have some on my butt from when I quit running, so I won't hold my breath.

[lakecountrygal]

Got them with DS right at the end but they aren't prominent and I use vitamin e lotion daily.

[jjh1119]

I have stretch marks from puberty/growing up but didn't get any at all last pregnancy. I didn't lotion anything either. I gained close to 45 lbs. I think it is just genetic.

We will see what happens this time..