What do you use against strech marks?

And when did you start using it? And what is it /name, brand, etc./? And did it help you? /too many questions I know..:)/

I just read something about strech marks and I know that if you're meant to have them nothing will really help you get rid of them, but I'm still wondering what is your experience, ladies?

This is something I just read:

"In terms of preventing their appearance, cocoa butter-based creams and creams full of Vitamin E have a reputation for helping"

http://pregnancy.baby-gaga.com/calendar/week22

Have you heard of any other magic, little tricks?

[sheddybear]

I've been using Tummy Butter by Palmars.  It's cocoa butter but a little thicker than the lotion. I'm 27 weeks and so far no stretch marks.  However, I have heard that genetics does play a role as well as rapid weight gain.

[vannessa]

Thank you for your answer, can you tell me where I can buy that and approximately how much it costs?

[sarubers]

Genetics has a lot to do with it. Also staying hydrated. My mom carried twins to full term and didnt get a single strech mark. I carried a baby to full term and didnt get any either. Neither did my sister. (we were the twins) But my older sister got tons of them. But only from her second pregnancy. I always used coca butter.

[neparker]

Is this going to be your first?

With my DS and DD, I got stretch marks, and I tried everything you could possibly think to try, even what the books recommeneded.  If it runs in your family, then I don't believe there will be anything you can do to help prevent it.  This time, I'm still using lotions and creams, but only because my skin is dry, I already have stretch marks, what will more do, nothing. :D

I mainly have them on my lower stomach, breasts and theighs and butt.  My breasts have already gotten so big, you can't seem my old stretch marks.  LOL, oh, sad.

Let's keep in touch.  

[ajemmom]

I used everything you could possibly think of w/ my DD and I still got a few on my lower belly.  I didn't really use anything but regular lotion w/ my DS and I got a ton more...so it seems that no matter what you do, if you are meant to have them, then you will.  The only good news is that at first they look horribly bright and red, but as time goes by they fade, so  even though they are still there, they are much harder to see.  My new motto is to embrace the choices you make in life and accept the consequences that go with them.  I would gladly take a million more stretch marks for a healthy baby!!!!

[nichopes4baby]

Go to the Body Shop at your mall and get their body butters,  I purchased the cocoa butter and shea butter and they work awesome!!!!

[Liza55]

I read it virtually all has to do w/ genetics. I used nothing at all and I'm tiny- no stretch marks at all. Now I know my mom nor my sister ever had any either. I'd say do some more research- most the lotions will help make your skin soft, maybe less itchy, but not prevent stretch marks.

[CODNER5]

I got tons and tons and tons of large thick stretch marks with all 3 of my boys. 13 years later, they are still there. It distorts by entire belly-skin is all stretch marks, hardly and skin.(even on pubic area) It is sad, but all genetic. I tried all types of  cremes for 9 months and no sucess with any.(except super smooth belly!)

[mum2beagain]

I think it depends on a lot of factors, genetics, weight gain and so on. With my first child (who was born at 32 weeks) I used a lotion for helping to prevent stretch marks, but I put on 40lbs and had horrible angry red marks all over my tummy hips and thighs, a year later they had faded to small silvery lines. This time I haven't used anything, with a 2 1/2 year old I just about get time to shower daily, no time for lotions and potions! I am now 30 weeks and have put on 13 pounds and so far not a new stretch mark in sight, not even the old ones have re appeared, they are still the silvery little lines they have been for the last year and a half or so, I hope they stay that way!

[vannessa]

I totally agree with you!!!

[duehring]

I think some of it is just your skins elasticity. I have had 5 babies and didn't get a single stretch mark until my 3rd baby. My 3rd through 5th babies I got them. (not too bad though)

[Marcus's Mommy]

During every shower, right from the beginning of pregnancy, I rub baby oil on my breasts, belly and thighs. I do this just before I turn the water off.  Then at night I use a cocca butter lotion on the same spots.  I never got belly stretch marks from my son and I gained 60lbs.  Just the sides of my breasts and a little on the thighs. But I think I had them from before I ever got pregnant.  I'm big chested to start off with.

My mom is the one who said use baby oil, it worked for her too and she gained 65lbs with both my brother and I.  She was also only 108lbs when she got pregnant, so she was tall and skinny to start off with. Not one stretch mark.

Good luck

[ajemmom]

also....my SIL was 95 lbs. when she got pregnant (she's only 4'8") and she got up to 185 by the end a still didn't have a single stretch mark...so you just never know what your gonna get!

[xrayu2]

Cocoa Butter worked well for me.

[emma10]

I never used cream and never got stretch marks except a few on my breasts.  I got a few on my hips when I went through puberty. But pregnant twice, no cream, no stretch marks.  It's nice to think we can prevent them though---very profitable to some businesses too.

[vannessa]

Sarubers, oh I'm so worried, because my mom got a lot of them, while she was pregnant with me:(
But I rapidly lost and gained weight so many times for the last 3 years and I don't have even a single strech mark... so I'm hopping that I won't have any, but if I do, it won't be the worst thing:)
I'd like to use something, just for the piece of my mind that I tried to prevent them :)

Neparker, yes, this is my first pregnancy that lasts more than 7 weeks ;)

How far along are you? I don't know why, but I'm thinking we were due at the same time? But I might be wrong. I'm due in the begining of June.

[sherryroberson]

I agree with my first i didn't use anything and got stretch marks. with this one i am currently 24.3 wks and have been using palmers coco butter cream for stretch marks and am still getting new ones! grrrr! nothing will help, but it helps the itching a lil.

[zippgirls]

I don't know if others are like this...but I didn't get any marks untill I was done being prego!!!
There I was thinking I was in the clear and lucky..but nope!
I gained the 30 that I was told was a good amount for my size.
Most of my marks where in my breasts..since they grew ALOT!!!!!
Made hubby happy..LOL :)
Not so many in m stomach.
Most went away and faded so you can't really see them....but they are showing up more vivid as I get bigger with this next pregnancy. Now 23 1/2 weeks.
I didn't use any creams...might try this time!