Alright ladies, this post needs your comments. I need the skinny on stretch marks. I've heard of everything from olive oil, to body butters and creams. So far so good for me, but I'm wondering if I should start using something to keep my skin from getting crazy. So if you would, here's your chance to give solicited advice to a soon-to-be-mom.
Did you get them?
Did you get them?
What did you use?
What worked?
What failed?
When did you start your prevention tactic?
What else??
I will answer in the order asked:
ReplyDeleteYes. I lovingly call them my racing stripes, Bob says they are tiger stripes (roar!). At first I was kind of bummed that I got them, but they actually fade quite a lot with time. I mean it has only been a year since Lira was born but they have already faded considerably. I came to terms with the fact that it is just something I'll have to learn to live with as they will probably get deeper and darker with each child. It is just one more thing that sets me apart as a mother :)
I used olive oil, body butter, and drank a lot of water. When it gets down to it, genetics are boss.
Although those things did not work to prevent stretch marks they did make me more comfortable. Towards the end of my pregnancy my skin was very sensitive, itchy, and uncomfortable. Water kept my skin hydrated and the body butter/olive oil helped reduce itching.
I started prevention early, by around 13-15 weeks. About the time that regular jeans started getting uncomfortable. One of my pregnancy symptoms was dry skin so a nightly regimen of olive oil helped keep moisture in.
Also, if you are going to try some sort of stretch mark prevention tactic don't forget your chest. Once you start nursing you'll find that they get pretty stretched and can use just as much TLC as your baby bump.
One last thing, even though it can be a bummer to get stretch marks there are a few awesome creams out there than can help minimize their appearance once you have them. My mom had three kids and had quite a few stretch marks on her middle. She got Strivecin and started using it daily and now has NO stretch marks and her tummy is MUCH more firm! She looks like she got a tummy tuck or something and could totally pull of a bikini (if she wanted to). It is kind of pricy but they sell it at Costco for a killer deal. You can't use it while you're pregnant or nursing. Lira's birthday present to me? You guessed it :D
I got stretch marks, but not until the last couple of weeks! Gah!! I thought I was lucky and I would be able to go through the whole thing without getting them...WRONG-O
ReplyDeleteI heard a lot and tried a lot to prevent getting stretch marks but, like Michelle mentioned, genetics take a front row seat in the battle. If your mom got them, you will most likely get them too.
The bigger you get, the more itchy you belly will be. DON'T SCRATCH!! You will be tempted to, but you must resist!! Scratching makes it worse!! I pinched and rubbed to make the itch go away.
Vitamin E Oil and Cocoa/Shea butter were awesome for me. I think my stripes could have been a lot worse if my skin wasn't as hydrated and healthy as it was. Drink lots of water!!
But most of all? Prepare yourself mentally for the stretch marks. It was a huge bummer when mine started showing up. Michelle said it perfectly--it's just one more thing that sets you apart as a mother! They are battle scars, and you've earned them! LOL
Well, like the past 2 ladies said, there's not much you can do to prevent it but so far for me, making sure that my skin stays moisturized seems to be the best thing. I haven't actually had any stretch marks yet but I expect to get some in the next couple of weeks and moistened skin seems to really help the itching.
ReplyDeleteI also read online to try to not gain too much weight at one time to prevent stretch marks for as long as possible. I know it's hard to control but for me, keeping a steady calorie intake each day, seems to work well.
Good luck!
Did you get them?
ReplyDeleteSure did.
What did you use? coconut oil, lotion.
What worked? Nothing worked to prevent them. Note- even if you mom didn't get stretch marks if your dad's mom did, it will probably happen.
What failed? My non stretch mark genes... they failed me. Oh wait, no they didn't, I don't have any.
When did you start your prevention tactic? Pretty early on with pregnancy #1.
What else?? Prepare yourself mentally, but also, tell McKay what's up. I have heard of husbands who were a bit traumatized by their wives baby marks, cause they weren't expecting them at all.
I didn't get stretchmarks until Amelia turned head down at 32 weeks. They started out small but GREW and SPREAD quickly!
Don't worry too much about them. You will probably get them. You belly will never be the same again, and that's ok. It is totally worth it! I would do it again in a minute.
I know lots of women who are caught up on their pre-pregnancy weight or high school/college pant size. Your body will change and you are not supposed to be the same after you have a baby. When I weighed the same as my pre-pregnancy weight I was 2 pant sizes larger cause my hips were wider. Prepare for that too. :)
Did you get them? Nope.
ReplyDeleteWhat did you use? I took vitamin E.
What worked? I sure don't know, but maybe that vitamin E stuff helped! I just got that advice from a friend who also lived without getting them.
What failed? Mm...the stretchy belly syndrome.
When did you start your prevention tactic? At about 20 weeks.
What else?? This COULD be a wives tale. ;)
AND, you should have a post about "things nobody told you about delivery and post delivery surprises". That's all. I'm sure many of us would have a WHOLE LOT to share.
Haha- I had to comment on this as well. I hope that's okay.
ReplyDeleteIt's just like they have all said- it's mostly genetics. I used creams/lotions and didn't get any until the last week when I grew very quickly. Also, Michelle is so right- the chest! They happen there too. Jocelyn is now over 2 years and I can barely see mine only because I know where to look. They fade fast and honestly where the least of my worries during and after pregnancy. The body changes- not that you can't still be in shape and have a good body, but it's just different and that's okay.