Pregnancy Stretch Marks

[sweezy]

I am pregnant but am now worried about the stretch marks which I understand would be nearly impossible to get rid off. Does anybody know any natural method/products to minimize or avoid stretch marks? I was thinking of using just olive oil or almond oil. Would that suffice?

[magda_s]

This might sound odd but it made sense to me.  I was reading a general health article where they were talking about drinking water.  We all know that drinking lots of water is good for us but I never stopped to think why.  They say that water is the body's and skin's natural moisturiser and they happened to mention that a lack of it it is believed to possibly contribute to stretch marks.  They were basically saying that if you are prone to them, drinking water will reduce them and if you would only have had light ones then drinking water may help you avoid them altogether.  I'm game... after all, it's good for you regardless and I figure, particularly when you're pregnant, anything that's good for your body is that much more important.  I try to drink about 2 litres per day.
Oh, and I use sunflower oil.  Apparently the best kind (if you want to use something totally natural like oil) for skin.

[Pum]

I read that it is one of the advantages of being an older mother ie stretch marks are much worse in younger women. There isn't anything you can do to prevent them. I never got any when I was pregnant at 35. Cross your fingers and hope. Even if you do, it's all worth it.

[cmoretti]

For the most part, stretch marks are genetic. You either will get them or you won't. I have heard of women using cocoa butter or vitamin E oil but the only way to know if that works is if you are a person that gets them easily and used this and didn't get any. I haven't heard of that ever happening. Look to your mother and grandmothers to see if they had a problem. This is the best determination of how likely you are to get them and how bad they will be. Fortunately, my mother, grandmothers, and maternal aunts only got a few on the hips and none on the stomach so I think I will be safe but I know that isn't a guarantee.

[PamelaBee]

I was lucky and didn't have any stretch marks with my first pregnancy, and so far with this pregnancy I don't have any.  No one oil or lotion is going to prevent stretch marks,  but they will keep your belly nice and soft : )  Also, in time may fade, if you have very noticeable or dark stretch marks.  

[YvetteY]

Unfortunately not much you can do to minimize stretch marks.  It just depends on skins elasticity.  You will more than likely get some stretch marks....they show up for sure about 8th or 9th month.   On the bright side they do fade, but I don't care what anyone or any product tells you, you won't be able to get rid of them.  You may not get them if you don't gain a lot of weight during the pregnancy, however.