Stretch Marks

[mlmccauley]

Hi! I am 27 weeks pregnant and so far haven’t gotten any stretch marks. As much as I am hoping I won’t get them, I’m also trying to be realistic, I know most women don’t get them until later in pregnancy. For those of you who did get them, when did they start showing up? For those of you were lucky enough not to get them, what do you attribute it to (i.e. genetics, hydration, moisturization etc.)? Thanks, any input is appreciated.

Maria

 

[autumn]

<<For those of you were lucky enough not to get them, what do you attribute it to (i.e. genetics, hydration, moisturization etc.)?>>

Genetics... not just your from mom's side. One of my friend's mom had 5 pregnancies and 4 full-term births... no stretch marks. My friend had them on her arms, legs, & abdomen after her first.

 

[Manmohini]

I'm curious about this as well. I'm almost 37 weeks, and I don't have any stretch marks yet. Mom says she has them (after 6); sis swears she doesn't (after 2). I'm inclined to believe it's genetics, but I'm thinking that if I were to get them, they would have showed up by now in my last month. I'm also eager to know during what week they begin to show up.
Manmohini

 

[nkhansen1]

Stretch marks are all genetic. If your connective tissues have a predetermined stretch limit before they separate, no amount of moisturizer is going to stop it from happening.
I had no stretch marks with my first, but she was born about 7 weeks early so I missed out on all that growth. My second baby I carried to term, and I had no stretch marks until the week before he was born. Then I got a row of little ones on the bottom of my belly and around my hips.
My sister, however, has two full-term babies 10 1/2 months apart, and she has no stretch marks. My mother had 6 babies, and she has none either. It's in my genes from somewhere...But then I have friends who are covered in them from breasts to thighs starting in their second trimester.
All I know is that it's out of your control!

 

[cyclinggirl]

Hi Maria, Congratulations!!

As far as stretch marks go, I say fight the good fight if you don't want them. I was sure I was going to get them because my mom got them and I got quite a few when I sprouted boobs and hips at age 11, almost overnight. My brothers got them from growth spurts too.

But I did some research and found that slower weight gain, hydration, moisturizing your skin, and a balanced diet with natural fats from nuts, seeds and fish oil can make a big difference. So why not try it???

I've always been a post shower body lotion type, so I kept that up and put more on my belly, hips, boobs, back, butt and arms. Nothing fancy, just Aveeno body lotion. I eat lots of nuts and seeds already and I take fish oil capsules b/c my mom died of cancer. I also eat quite a bit of fish but have cut back during my pregnancy. I bring a 32oz Nalgene water bottle with me where ever I go...I did this before I was pregnant too. I drink 2-3 of them a day, more in the summer.

Oh, and I went out in the sun in a bikini and let my bump tan, something they suggest you avoid if you don't want stretch marks. We're beach people and it made me happy that I didn't have to give up enjoying the sun and swimming in the waves. I did it later in the day (after 2pm) and lathered up the SPF 30.

I'm 38+ weeks now and don't have them yet. Yes, I could still get them but my point here is that every body and pregnancy is different so why not take good care of yourself and take steps to avoid them.

BTW I had a huge growth spurt at 7-8 months and gained a quick 16lbs in about 5 weeks. That was when I thought I was doomed for sure. I re-applied lotion when my skin felt itchy or tight, and my body & skin adapted. Thankfully the gain slowed down after that.

I'll keep you posted if any appear...but I'm still hoping they don't!!

Good luck!!
Steph

 

[skline]

I got strech marks on my breasts and hips when I grew as a teen..and Im only a small B and 105 pound so I thought I would for sure get them during pregnancy. I used cocoa butter and vitamin e oil 2 times a day and didnt get one stretch mark on my belly. It never hurts to add a little more moisturizer!

 

[seabeewife]

Congratulations on the pregnancy! I am not sure why I did not get stretch marks, especially considering that both my mother and sister did. I made sure to drink plenty of water, moisturize, and I kept my weight gain slow and consistent.
Congratulations again!!

 

[Stebby]

I think it's genetic. My mom never had stretch marks (4 kids), nor did her mom, and nor did I. I never moisturized or anything. I also gained too much weight. However, I did drink a ton of water (12-16 glasses per day by the end).

A friend of mine, however, gained very little weight and did everything "right" to avoid stretch marks. But she got them ... like all the women in her family.