I'm 6 months pregnant with my first child and am very worried about stretch marks.. does anyone know any way to prevent them?

Jolene - posted on 04/11/2009

Getting stretch marks really depends on the calcium and protien in your skin. So try esting more protien and calcium, something you need a lot of when pregnant anyways. Other then that, Bio-oil helps.

Kristen - posted on 04/11/2009

I agree with the Palmers coco butter. Just use a lot all the time. It worked for me both times. I have 2 kids one is almost 7 and the other is almost 2.

Kirsty - posted on 04/11/2009

Bio oil was a great help for me for use during pregnancy and i still use it now 8months on for the few stretch marks i have remaining it has worked a treat for me. Good luck! Hope everything goes well!

Susan - posted on 04/11/2009

Quoting Alysha:

I'm 6 months pregnant with my first child and am very worried about stretch marks.. does anyone know any way to prevent them?

I used Bio-Oil...and I did still get a few stretch marks, but they were very small and are barely noticeable now. Its around $11 bucks at Walgreens!

Stephanie - posted on 04/11/2009

Unfortunately no matter whay you do, if its in your genes you will get stretch marks. How bad they are however is sort of treatable. Lots of lotion. LOTS. And drink plenty of water. The more liquids in you system the easier your skin will expand with the growing baby. Ask your mother and grandmother though about their stretch marks. If they didnt have any then you wont. If they did chances are you will too. Also not overeatiing will lessen you chances of growing too big too quickly. Hope that helps. Good luck!

Jackie - posted on 04/11/2009

Does your mom have them?????? If so then you will get them. I used cocoa butter with my daughter and got them ....and didn't use it with my son and I didn't get them! Same with my mom! My stretch marks are almost identical to hers!

Alysha - posted on 04/11/2009

thanks guys, I've been using Life essentials, natural aloe vera rich skin cream... and i just recently bought a bottle of Life Brand, Moisturising lotion with shea & cocoa butter. I really hope I don't get any stretch marks!

Chele - posted on 04/11/2009

They say cocoa butter does not really help - that stretch marks will come regardless.  Especially if other women in your family have them. However, I will say I used Palmers and Vaseline Cocoa butter with both pregnancies.  Every morning out of the shower and every night before bed - not one single stretch mark on my body. Its worth a try!!!

Kylie - posted on 04/11/2009

Bio-oil worked for me to prevent the stretchmarks but it really comes down to your genes and hormones.. eat well and excersise and rub your belly with bio-oil twice a day and you will be doing everything you can.

Martha - posted on 04/11/2009

Does not matter if you buy a $1,000 cream or lotion. It's your genes. The rule usually is if your mother has them, you will most probably get them. Also it has do to a lot with weight gain. If you gain 30 lbs you should be ok. If you gain 60+ lbs you'll probably get them.

Leticia - posted on 04/11/2009

i made up a lotion on a vitamin e base, bought some zinc liquid from the heath food shop and added that in and i also took a zinc supplement daily (no harm to bubs-i checked) as its a major nutrient needed for healthy strong skin-and i didnt get any:) i massaged that in at night and the palmers coco butter in the morning as the other mums suggested:) i have heard that genetics plays a huge part in them though-if your mum didnt get any u may not?

Lindsey - posted on 04/11/2009

i used bio-oil night and day,no stretch marks!! and i am prone to them having got my bum and tops of my thighs covered in them during puberty

Maria - posted on 04/11/2009

Quoting Alysha:

I'm 6 months pregnant with my first child and am very worried about stretch marks.. does anyone know any way to prevent them?

Try palmer's cocoa butter for stretch marks, smells nice too. Also bio-oil, that will help, its really good and use it after you've had the baby as well to get rid of the purple and redness of the marks. Good luck x.

Melissa - posted on 04/11/2009

I used Palmer's cocoa butter lotion for both my children! No stretch marks on my belly, but gotta on the bum, and chest...however they were faint and are gone now! I love cocoa butter!! Good luck :)