What are you doing to avoid stretch marks?

[Muddled]

Any product recs?

[minion]

I've been drinking lots of water throughout the day, to keep my body and skin hydrated (8-10 glasses, sometimes 12 on days I make it to the gym.
I also moisturize using Nivea Extended Moisture Body Lotion.
Lastly, I've been watching my weight gain and what I eat.
I'm only 18 weeks along, so I can't tell you if any of it is working, but at least I feel good. I'm hoping genetics come in to play on this one for me.

[pooh8402]

I'm using Burt's Bees Mama Butter. That's it. No stretch marks thus far, but women in my family don't get them much so fx I don't get any.

[ebeth]

I bought some mustela cream at sephora, knowing full well there's pretty much nothing you can do to prevent stretch marks. It was the sale and I needed lotion anyway...

I'm more concerned about the cellulite that has taken up residence on my thighs. That is an unanticipated development. My legs and ass were fabulous. And I've only gained 4 pounds!

[dojo]

Eating chocolate. Oh wait, you said AVOID? Nothing.

[Muddled]

Apr 16, 2015 12:30:25 GMT -5 ebeth said:

I bought some mustela cream at sephora, knowing full well there's pretty much nothing you can do to prevent stretch marks. It was the sale and I needed lotion anyway...

I'm more concerned about the cellulite that has taken up residence on my thighs. That is an unanticipated development. My legs and ass were fabulous. And I've only gained 4 pounds!

Oh no!


I know that they are more or less unpreventable, but it makes me feel better to try.

[Muddled]

Apr 16, 2015 12:31:49 GMT -5 dojo said:

Eating chocolate. Oh wait, you said AVOID? Nothing.

LOL. The TJ's dark chocolate and pb cups are disappearing WAY too fast!

[ebeth]

Apr 16, 2015 12:33:07 GMT -5 Muddled said:

Apr 16, 2015 12:30:25 GMT -5 ebeth said:

I bought some mustela cream at sephora, knowing full well there's pretty much nothing you can do to prevent stretch marks. It was the sale and I needed lotion anyway...

I'm more concerned about the cellulite that has taken up residence on my thighs. That is an unanticipated development. My legs and ass were fabulous. And I've only gained 4 pounds!

Oh no!


I know that they are more or less unpreventable, but it makes me feel better to try.

I'm right there with you. Which is why I now own a $45(-15%) bottle of dual action stretch mark prevention lotion ?

[Kit]

Apr 16, 2015 12:41:38 GMT -5 AutumnRose25 said:

Apr 16, 2015 12:24:38 GMT -5 minion said:

I've been drinking lots of water throughout the day, to keep my body and skin hydrated (8-10 glasses, sometimes 12 on days I make it to the gym.
I also moisturize using Nivea Extended Moisture Body Lotion.
Lastly, I've been watching my weight gain and what I eat.
I'm only 18 weeks along, so I can't tell you if any of it is working, but at least I feel good. I'm hoping genetics come in to play on this one for me.

This is making me cringe a little. 

Even diet or not gaining weight won't prevent them if they run in your family, and unless the OB has given a medical reason, you really shouldn't be 'watching' weight gain or diet during pregnancy. 

I'm watching my weight...go up...if that counts. ;-)

[kellsbelles]

Apr 16, 2015 12:41:38 GMT -5 AutumnRose25 said:

Apr 16, 2015 12:24:38 GMT -5 minion said:

I've been drinking lots of water throughout the day, to keep my body and skin hydrated (8-10 glasses, sometimes 12 on days I make it to the gym.
I also moisturize using Nivea Extended Moisture Body Lotion.
Lastly, I've been watching my weight gain and what I eat.
I'm only 18 weeks along, so I can't tell you if any of it is working, but at least I feel good. I'm hoping genetics come in to play on this one for me.

This is making me cringe a little. 

Even diet or not gaining weight won't prevent them if they run in your family, and unless the OB has given a medical reason, you really shouldn't be 'watching' weight gain or diet during pregnancy. 

Unfortunately yes to this. I have them on my thighs and boobs from regular old puberty growth spurts and have never been overweight. 

I am using coconut oil or burts bees lotion on everything as well as hydrating a ton to have a fighting chance. But my mom was covered in them after pregnancy and if my past ones are any indication they may not be avoided.

[miamigirl]

Even though I know stretch marks are mainly genetic, I feel better trying to prevent them.

I drink a lot of water during the day, I use coconut oil after I shower and I moisturize every night with Belli cream. They haven't made an appearance yet...

My mom never had stretch marks, but TBH I look nothing like her, so we'll see.

[starburst]

I was using Palmer's cocoa butter, but wasn't a huge fan of the scent, so I recently switched to Bliss body butter. No stretch marks so far, but my mom told me that she got stretch marks when she was pregnant, so I'm expecting them to show up any day!

[achi]

I moisturize regularly with a lotion that contains vitamin e but it's more to avoid dry skin than stretch marks. Like others have said, if you're going to get them you'll get them no matter what product you use.

[fashionx]

I'm hoping since my mom doesn't really have any that I won't either. But I've been keeping hydrated and drinking a lot of water, and I use Bio Oil. It recommends twice a day but usually it's once a day unless I feel very dry. My skin is on the dry side anyway, so I feel like this helps me more with avoiding the itchy belly than anything, but if it also magically helps with stretch mark than that's good too.

[ellipsis]

I've used the Palmer's Cocoa Butter probably less than 5x. It's kind of sticky, and I already have stretch marks from puberty on my upper thighs anyway, soooo it's inevitable! Woo genetics!

[aprilsails]

I've just been applying my Aveeno Oatmeal based daily moisturizing lotion after showers. I still don't feel like I've particularly popped though.

I got some stretch marks on my thighs during high school so I think I'm inclined. Eh. They faded.

[Koala]

I'm using cocoa butter. I'm already seeing some on my hips, but I think they were already there and are just becoming more pronounced. I don't think my mom got any when she was pregnant with me. But, she also had this awful doctor who forced her to keep her weight gain under 25 lbs (she was pretty thin before she was pregnant)

[Koala]

Also, I'm having 2 babies and I'm starting with a short torso. So, I feel like no matter what I do, I will get stretch marks.

[Muddled]

Apr 16, 2015 13:21:39 GMT -5 ellipsis said:

I've used the Palmer's Cocoa Butter probably less than 5x. It's kind of sticky, and I already have stretch marks from puberty on my upper thighs anyway, soooo it's inevitable! Woo genetics!

May I ask when you popped? I wonder if I am following in your footsteps belly size wise.

[starburst]

Apr 16, 2015 13:04:29 GMT -5 AutumnRose25 said:

Apr 16, 2015 13:01:05 GMT -5 starburst said:

I was using Palmer's cocoa butter, but wasn't a huge fan of the scent, so I recently switched to Bliss body butter. No stretch marks so far, but my mom told me that she got stretch marks when she was pregnant, so I'm expecting them to show up any day!

For many people they show up post-partum. 

I have none so far but I'm thinking that will be what happens to me LOL

I've heard that.  It's like pregnancy has to fuck with you one last time!

[ellipsis]

Apr 16, 2015 13:38:18 GMT -5 Muddled said:

Apr 16, 2015 13:21:39 GMT -5 ellipsis said:

I've used the Palmer's Cocoa Butter probably less than 5x. It's kind of sticky, and I already have stretch marks from puberty on my upper thighs anyway, soooo it's inevitable! Woo genetics!

May I ask when you popped? I wonder if I am following in your footsteps belly size wise.

I'd say right around 19 weeks. 1st pregnancy, I'm 5'8'' (but most of my height is in my legs) and I had some visible ab muscles pre-pregnancy. I've gained 8-9 lbs so far, with most of that being from 1st tri carbs.

[Muddled]

Apr 16, 2015 13:48:37 GMT -5 ellipsis said:

Apr 16, 2015 13:38:18 GMT -5 Muddled said:

May I ask when you popped? I wonder if I am following in your footsteps belly size wise.

I'd say right around 19 weeks. 1st pregnancy, I'm 5'8'' (but most of my height is in my legs) and I had some visible ab muscles pre-pregnancy. I've gained 8-9 lbs so far, with most of that being from 1st tri carbs.

Thanks. I have a teeny belly at 17w. I still think it's only obvious to me and H (although it gets much bigger at night). I can still button my pants, but barely.  We'll see what the next few weeks bring!

[Velar Fricative]

I did nothing last time and didn't get any (new) stretch marks. It's still pretty early this time around though, but I'll probably still do nothing because I'm lazy (and might hate myself if I follow the tips and then get them anyway). My sister got a lot though, so even though I assumed it was genetic, I don't really know.

[noodleoo]

Apr 16, 2015 13:04:29 GMT -5 AutumnRose25 said:

Apr 16, 2015 13:01:05 GMT -5 starburst said:

I was using Palmer's cocoa butter, but wasn't a huge fan of the scent, so I recently switched to Bliss body butter. No stretch marks so far, but my mom told me that she got stretch marks when she was pregnant, so I'm expecting them to show up any day!

For many people they show up post-partum. 

I have none so far but I'm thinking that will be what happens to me LOL

I'm using the Burt's Bees Mama Bee belly butter too.  I like that is absorbs quickly and is keeping my skin from getting too dry.  No stretch marks yet, but like others, I already have a ton on my hips and stuff so I'm not optimistic.  I'm sure I"ll have them after.  I wasn't wearing bikinis before anyway, so who really cares!

[dixienormous]

Stretch marks are, unfortunately, genetic. I used cocoa butter, burts bees, aveeno, and drank a ton of water when I was pregnant before. I still ended up with the marks that made my belly look like a Thomas Guide. The good news is that they fade and eventually go away. This time I'm bigger but not as marked up (probably from the stretching last time). Still have them but not as much.

[midwest07]

Apr 16, 2015 13:01:05 GMT -5 starburst said:

I was using Palmer's cocoa butter, but wasn't a huge fan of the scent, so I recently switched to Bliss body butter. No stretch marks so far, but my mom told me that she got stretch marks when she was pregnant, so I'm expecting them to show up any day!

I love the smell of this.  I think because I didn't start it until second trimester when things were starting to smell good again to me vs being too strong.  On the other hand, I have this huge bottle of lotion that smells like lemons I started using in first tri and I can hardly stand it because it reminds me of being nauseous.  Same with the hand lotion, face wash and toothpaste I used in first tri.  But I am trying to use it all up!

[Muddled]

Apr 16, 2015 13:01:05 GMT -5 starburst said:

I was using Palmer's cocoa butter, but wasn't a huge fan of the scent, so I recently switched to Bliss body butter. No stretch marks so far, but my mom told me that she got stretch marks when she was pregnant, so I'm expecting them to show up any day!

H says it smells like a casino?

[pooh8402]

I saw this article on Facebook, and thought it was apropos to this discussion.

www.buzzfeed.com/juliegerstein/women-are-proudly-showing-off-their-stretch-marks-with-lovey?bffb&utm_term=4ldqpgp#4ldqpgp

[starburst604]

I'm shocked I don't have them yet. 47 lbs gained at almost 36 weeks and a mother and sister who got them with pregnancy. I also have the white ones in my hips from puberty. But not a one so far. My whole pregnancy I've just used Cerave cream in the tub on my whole body. I didn't have stretch marks in mind, just staying moisturized in the dry winter. I won't lie though, if I have another pregnancy I'll be making sure my belly gets the Cerave treatment again. Of course, there is still time to get them.

[fashionx]

Apr 16, 2015 13:41:04 GMT -5 AutumnRose25 said:

Apr 16, 2015 13:20:28 GMT -5 fashionx said:

I'm hoping since my mom doesn't really have any that I won't either. But I've been keeping hydrated and drinking a lot of water, and I use Bio Oil. It recommends twice a day but usually it's once a day unless I feel very dry. My skin is on the dry side anyway, so I feel like this helps me more with avoiding the itchy belly than anything, but if it also magically helps with stretch mark than that's good too.

Just a heads up, I used Bio Oil through my second tri and at some point it a few months in,  it actually gave me a reaction and made me itchy to the point I thought something was wrong. 

If that happens, try taking a break for a couple of days or replace with lotion. 

Apparently it's not uncommon for people to have it start to create itchiness. 

Which made me sad because I loved it, but I just wanted to warn you in case LOL

Thanks for the heads up! I actually was starting to get itchy on my belly before I started using it, then started when a friend recommended and so far I haven't had any problems with that again. But good to know so I know what to stop doing if it starts up again.