Seeking Strech Mark Cream

Don't know about genetics, but Palmer's products worked well for me. I'd consistently use the bath oil and cocoa butter cream on my belly, sides, butt, and breasts. Can still get in a bikini without being embarrased!

I've had three kids with the third being 9 lbs. I was very thing BEFORE being pregnant and I too couldn't afford a product. But please take heed that our skin is in indeed our largest organ and ANYTHING we put onto our skin will go into our bodies. Why do you think they invented skin patches?

Anyway, if you are concerned about that, as I was, I went to the health food store and bought a small bottle of pure vitamin E oil. I rubbed it into my skin right after a shower and then again at night. This will keep your skin hydrated as your belly starts to grow. I agree with drinking plenty of water - hydration is so important. To be honest, we didn't have stretch cremes when I was first pregnant. I don't have a single stretch mark on my stomach. Our skin is very elastic, but we still have to take care of it. Keep up with your prenatal vitamins as well. Good for you for trying to make the best choices. Cremes that only contain vitamins such as A, E and C, which are essential to skin repair and elasticity, should only be sought. Take care of you and your child. Best of luck and congratulations!

Hi my name is C. R, I don't have any advice for stretch marks, but I was wondering if you were interested in having a Birth Doula to attend the birth of your first baby? I am a Certified Birth Doula for almost four years now. I live in Plainfield and I am available if you are interested. You can go to DONA.ORG to read all about Doulas, I am listed in Chicago & in Joliet, Illiois. Please email me if you or anyone you know that is pregnant and might want a Doula. My email address is ____@____.com

Thanks,
C.

Like the other response, it's pretty much in your genes. There is a massage technique that you can try on yourself. It's almost like you're rolling your skin. It's hard to explain, but I'm sure if you invested in a pregnancy massage, the massage therapist could show you how to do it (that's how I found out about it).

It is genetic. Look at your mom's belly, that will likely be yours. My mom had 3 kids and, at almost 60, her belly looks great.
Staying well hydrated inside and out (drink lots of water and use lots of lotion) and not gaining too much weight can't hurt, but I really do believe that genetics plays a huge role.
I got pretty big and did not get even one small stretch mark. A friend of mine stayed VERY fit during her pregnancy and got pretty bad stretch marks.
She used Strivectin afterwards and said it helped alot, although it is pretty expensive. I don't know much about it, but she said you can't use it while you are pregnant. She waited until she was done breastfeeding to start.
Good luck with the rest of the pregnancy and the new baby.
Don't worry about stretchmarks...just enjoy the last few months of peace and quiet and don't sweat the small stuff :)

I liked Tummy Honey butter. You can get it from Drugstore.com or Duematernity.com. It smells awesome! I used it through 2 pregnancies.

Hey, A.!
It really is genes and a couple of other factors, too. I used cocoa butter three times a day (religiously!) and exercised. I stayed non-pregnant looking well into my seventh month with my first son and then got my entire pregnancy belly inside a week! My body just could not stretch that quick that fast. With my second son my original stetch marks just continued a little. I have hella-stretch marks, but I still have no qualms about donning a bikini. It's about how you view yourself, not how others view you. Be comfortable with yourself-you're stuck in that body. I call them my 'beauty marks'. I would be willing to take much worse if it meant having my two lovely boys. Think of it as a beautiful badge of honor (if you get them). Hope this was helpful!

Good luck!
:)G.

Whatever you do, DO NOT BUY STRIVECTIN! As someone in the dermatlogy field I can tell you that there is nothing that can replace the loss of collagen that occurs to create a stretch mark. Keep the skin supple and pliable to prevent what you can, but there is nothing that will ever take away what you already have. Previous post have made some good suggestions- I would just add to the list Eucerin cream in a jar. Super moisturizing and will also help with the itching.

Stivectin is hands down the best and only cream/ointment shown to reduce already existing stretch marks. No matter what nay cream or lotion says there is NOTHING that can prevent stretch marks entirely. That said, some people will have a baby and never get a mark on them (makes me soooo mad...lol) Others, like myself, will look like they have a road map on their belly after their first.Cocoa butter is great to help keep the belly moist and itch free as you get bigger. It also is great for massages and dry skin.

I quite honestly think it is mostly genes. I am one of those people you will hate as I did not get stretch marks after I had my first or my twins ( i was fully expecting them with that pregnancy). I used cocoa butter and Palmers Stretch mark cream during my pregnancys.

HI Augsia,

I used cocoa butter during my pregnancy. Using it everyday and I did not get any stretch marks at all.

something that works very well is baby oil it works better the a stretch mark cream it puts elastic in to your skin so that your skin does not rip and your belly gets bigger. hopes this helps

C.

I used Mary Kay emolliant cream. It is a pink color, but goes on clear. It is kind of thick, but I never got any stretch marks!! My Mom used it when she was pregnant with me too. Hope that helps.
K.

Dear A-
I'm 35 weeks pregnant and have been using Belli elasticity oil + a Body Butter cream (Mango) from Bath and Body works. Some bath and body works don't carry them so call before you go. I don't have 1 stretch mark to date. I only use this product on my stomach and areas where stretch marks would form. Otherwise on the rest of my body I use regular lotion. I've been using the combination of the 2 since I was 3 months pregnant.

I also use Belli's Anti Chloasma Facial cream. This prevents and marks of pregnancy on your face (dark patches). I know women that have this and this is one more step that I add on my face in the morning.
I tell myself every morning that I am greasing myself up like a Thanksgiving turkey! And so far it's been working.

I have to agree with the previous poster Karen M. After having 2 children, I do not have a single stretch mark. I used pure Vitamnin E oil twice daily (day and night). I would rub it on my breasts, lower back and thighs. It may feel really sticky but it's worth it. I had luck finding the oil at a local CVS store. Congratulations!!! :)

I agree with previous posters - it is in the genes. I didn't get one stretch mark on my belly for either of my pregnancies (granted, #2 isn't over yet), but I get them all over my thighs and hips. I had them from the time I was 15 and my body changed shape with adolescence, as did my mom and, again, she didn't have one on her belly through 3 kids. Moisturizing with Vitamin E lotion or cocoa butter does help with the itchiness from stretching, but I really don't think you can prevent them. There are creams/lotions to help them fade a bit afterward, and some of those do seem to work.