Streeeeeeeeetch Mark Creams....

Hello my blooming ladies... Now I'm over 12 weeks so I think I need to start putting stretch mark cream on. My bloatedness has gone however my belly will now start growing properly. My boobs are huge!! So, am thinking now is the time. Am I right or should I have started earlier?!

Anyway, I need some help with good, non sticky creams or oil. I tried bio oil about a month ago, but then woke up with heat rash everywhere! So I think I'm too hot blooded for it! Any ideas?

Also when do I apply, morning and night? Does it not stain your clothes?

Questions, questions.... Who knew creaming yourself could be so complex huh!

[Skyblueboston]

I use any really rich cream and apply every day, probably should be twice but my midwife said although creams and oil will help a little, but it's in your genes, so if your mum stretched you will, unfortunately my mum it them so have I, luckily all below my belly button

[Hidden]

I really like the Mama Mio range. They have a great oil, some rich creams, a lotion for the boobs and so on. They are not exactly cheap, but I am due tomorrow, have a massive belly and not one stretch mark from pregnancy even though I have many from teenage growth spurts and was expecting the worst.

I got myself two different gift boxes/starter kits and sticked with the products I liked best.

[Hidden]

Palmers cocoa butter do one of u like the smell. . Rich in vitamin e but any rich creamhelps I use moisturiser from the dr as I have eczema. .I didn't escape stretch marks and have the same stomach as my mother

[dons88]

I managed to avoid stretch marks in my first pregnancy and am really hoping to this time too! I get on with bio oil so use that in the evening, but in the morning I use Palmers Cocoa Butter Stretch Mark Cream which I love - it smells lovely and is only a few quid plus you can get it in the super market which is handy! Apparently staying hydrated is key too so I drink gallons of water.

Don't worry too much if they do appear though - they usually fade away to barely visable and they're just a reminder of where you grew a person (that's how I think about my leftover tummy fat anyway!)

[Hidden]

Thanks Ladies. I too have stretch marks from younger so hope they won't stretch anymore!

Not sure if my mum had stretch marks as she sadly died when I was 4. Will apply generously though!

Good luck for your labour sweetie! I'm very jealous!

[Allyemo1985]

I've been using dove firming cream hence the FIRMING lol wishful thinking... Also prior to this I used bath and body works cream that had bran oil in this is really good for healing skin. Ie sunburn but its very thick and rich which is lovely... I'm now on the dove cream and so far so good I have stretch marks from my other two but they aren't red they are translucent even so I'm just stopping mine from going red as I'm bigger than my first pregnancy ie weight so I'm all go until I've given birth

[Hidden]

Thanks Ladies. I too have stretch marks from younger so hope they won't stretch anymore!

Not sure if my mum had stretch marks as she sadly died when I was 4. Will apply generously though!

Good luck for your labour sweetie! I'm very jealous!

[hippolike]

Hi Duppy, like Newlywed, I would recommend the Mama Mio range. A friend bought me a sampler pack of 3 different creams of theirs, and I have since bought larger versions of the stretch mark cream twice. Personally, I found the bio-oil a bit, well, oily! And was worried it might come off on the bed. Touch wood, but I am 34 weeks and don't seem to have any stretch marks xxx

[DrFluffy]

I was allergic to Palmer's stretch mark butter

I swear by Waitrose Baby Body Butter - it's really nice

[laurah123]

i use Palmers Stretch Mark cream. (when i use it ). im carrying quite small at 23 weeks now. so quite lucky.

i know people whos mums had stretch marks but they havent had any carrying their children. I think this day and age our weight fluctates anyway. so your skin is used to stretching.

i have stretch marks from when i was younger on tops of my legs. were i lost a bit of weight. and everyone says i have child baring hips.

[1sttime]

Weleda do a brilliant stretch mark oil, it's not cheap but it smells amazing and absorbs easily. It's the only thing which helps my itchy boobs.

[gingerbaby]

I'm currently working through everything in the house, found 8 different bottles, tubes, tubs of creams and lotions! As far as I know stretch marks will appear whether you cream up, but it sure helps with the itching.

[Hidden]

I used neals yard body lotion and palmers cocoa butter.. There is also something called recovery oil, found it online and my sister found it in pound land (was shocked) but I put like 2 drops in my bath (was oily in the bath but my skin wasnt when i got out)and my stretch marks are now going translucent, so hopefully when the baby weight is shifted you won't see them

[Arpitaben]

Mum and me is the best for stretch mark cream is the best it's half price on Amazon only 4.99 and smell is the best.

[Hidden]

I have stretch marks on my hips from a growth spurt as a teenager! I never got any new 1s and the 1s I already had never went bigger in any way when pregnant with my 3yo ! I put on a good 3 stone! Started as a size 12 ended a 14 in maternity clothes ( easily a 16 in standard sizes and was so months after having him ) increased at least 4 cup sizes 2. I did use bio oil around about the 2nd trimester but not regularly and only occasionally in the 3rd when I remembered / could b bothered.

Also My mum has bad stretch marks so don't think that's anything to go off. my aunt on my dads side (which I take more after ) got stretch marks everywhere u can , stomach, boobs, thighs, hips even her arms! when pregnant with her children .

I don't think there's much u can do in ways to prevent them, some people get them ! Others don't. All creams and oils do is ease the uncomfortableness of the skin when it's irritated by stretching/ tightness .

I'm currently 24 weeks with 2nd, not used any lotions at all and up to now not showing any signs of marks and hopefully will stay that way ( fingers crossed ) i ended up with an emergency section so have scar from that ! Although the girls I know that got stretch marks to me they got their figures back quicker than those that didn't! Maybe just a coincidence.

[I_am_still_me]

I would recommend rosehip oil, I truly believe it to be magic! It is safe in pregnancy, it is all natural, so no chemical nasties to be concerned about and best of all it really works. Well at least it did for me. I have an 8 month old and no single stretch mark on my tummy. The reason why I think this is quite an amazing fact is that I was 40 years old when I gave birth to him, so by no means was my skin youthful and prone to this sort of stretching without consequences. Especialy so as I do have stretch marks, quite prominent as well, on my hips, which I got as a teenager. Also my weight has been pretty steady throughout my life, so it is not like my skin got used to be stretched on regular basis.

Anyway I do believe that massaging skin daily using this oil has really helped and I have actually noticed the difference on my hips as well where existing stretch marks have improved as well. They're still there but they don't look as bad. Howver I don't think it is just the oil, but how you massage it in, in small circular motions where you are sort of stretching your skin, thus encouraging it to stretch without tearing (which is what stretch marks really are). You should do it as often as you can, I did it in the evenings, leaving skin uncovered for as long as possible, as it does stain clothing. Although saying that, no reason really why you can't do it any time it just depends on your circumstances and whereabouts. So get an old T-shirt/pyjama to wear and put old towel on your bed. Or even better now the weather is warmer put an old bikini on, massage the oil in and sit in your garden with a good read

You shouldn't use too much, little goes a long way and it is about getting it to penetrate the skin rather than getting yourself all slimy and shinny.

PS. Make sure you buy it online as they charge some extortionate prices on high street. Any leftovers use on other scars, boobs etc.

Good luck and enjoy your pregnancy, stretch marks or not, you won't really care when you get the ultimate price - your baby