Stretch Marks at Six Months

Updated on April 06, 2010
K.E. asks from Trussville, AL
12 answers

I'm only six months pregnant, but the underside of my belly and lower part of my sides are already showing huge stretch marks! I've gained a little bit more than I think I should have for 23/24 weeks but since I can't see any weight gain anywhere but my chest and belly, I'm trying not to worry too much about it.... My questions I guess are: did you already have bad stretch marks at 6months? How much/ how fast did they fade after your baby was born? I'm a first time mom, and I've got to admit, horrorfied by these purple streaks on my belly! Mostly I'm worried that if their this bad now, what are they going to look like at 9 months???

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T.F.

answers from Dallas on

I tend to believe that they are genetic.

On a personal note, I was freaked out about them and when i found out I was preggers I started using vitamin E oil and cocoa butter cremes.

I never had marks, nor did my mom, grandmother, etc...I was very viligant about my weight, exercise, etc and I never weighed more than 135ish for my 5'5" frame. However, I Loved the after effect of larger boobs that have contuinued to this day.

Good luck and look for the positive!!

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A.N.

answers from Los Angeles on

I agree with the other post, if you're going to get them, no cream is going to help. I got them before I was pregnant from weight gain and lost, and a few when I was pregnant, no matter how much lotion and creams I used(which was everything they recommend). My mom never got them, so lucky me! They do fade to a silverish color, but they are there for good unfortunately so we just have to deal. I've come to terms with them and wear my 2 piece regardless!!

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A.M.

answers from Dallas on

i too used cream throughout my whole pregnancy - especially right after i got out of the shower when the pores are open. i used palmers cocoa butter for stretch marks and i didnt get any and i have none now. i only gained the weight in my belly. i was also told by a friend (who had someone tell her - who knows how true it is) not to scratch your stomach/chest as that makes them worse? good luck!

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A.M.

answers from Oklahoma City on

I think it is true that genetics play a role, but there is a very wide range of stretch marks. You can have a very small area that is barely noticeable, or all over. I think it is a combination. I am prone to stretch marks. My mom didn't get them, but I have them all over my hips from my growth spurt in the 6th grade. I have a very small area on my lower belly from my pregnancy. I committed myself to putting on the Palmer's Cocoa Butter cream until the 3rd trimester, when I started putting on the oil at night before bed. Cream in the morning, oil before bed. No one will ever be able to tell me that it didn't help after the marks I have on my hips. Also, I didn't get the small area on my belly until after I had my son, when I stopped using any cream or oil. I should have stayed with it until I lost more weight.

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B.C.

answers from Norfolk on

My husband rubbed body butter on my belly when ever I wanted. It didn't prevent the stretch marks, but it eased the itchy feeling for a bit. I got the stretched skin on my boobs, too. I've heard with every pregnancy, each baby will stretch out their own set of stretch marks.

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S.M.

answers from Casper on

With enough herbs they can go away completely. Some are safe during pregnancy, others you might have to wait until you are done nursing. I never had any, I think because I took Dr. Christopher's Complete Tissue & Bone Formula during my 1st. It might have had comfrey in it tho, which is a controversial herb. In any case, eat as healthy as you possibly can, your body can only use what you put into it to heal. You can also absorb through your skin, so use the body butters, etc. and try to enjoy it.

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D.T.

answers from Dothan on

I got stretch marks at 20 weeks with my first daughter. They do fade, well turn white. Now that I am pregnant with my 2nd daughter, they are more visible again. Keep putting lotion on your belly. It's really not that bad.

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J.B.

answers from Dallas on

I used lotion during my entire pregancies as I read somewhere it would help. And it did. I do not have the stretch marks. I have some great lotion that is much better than what I used when pregnant. The lotion is called Renew and it is 7x more effective than Eucerin. If you are as sensitive as I was when pregnant then you would love the cleaning products too - natural - no harsh chemicals.

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A.C.

answers from Chicago on

ok.....i didnt get them or notice them until i was 6months and they only got worse. after i had my daughter my stomahe was like jelly i gained way more then i should have and the weight stayed. now i gained all over and i ate a lot of healty foods and still gaind 65 pds! its been about 16months they have faded pretty good i dont think my stomach would look bad if i didnt have the weight. its taking me this long to lose the weight and im still 10 pds over from what i was but my stomach still looks disgusting i believe i have xtra skin and thats why it doesnt look pleasnt. you cant stop ganing the weight but try to maintain it and do lil work outs to help. i was tiny when i got pergo but even that didnt matter i never went back to at least a version of my old self:) they will fade but they will still be there....

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S.K.

answers from Birmingham on

I used all the butters, oils & creams I read about stretch marks, because I was horrified by the thought of having them!! And I used them religiously, every day of my pregnancy and continued, till my babies were 6 months old!! I was carrying twins, I was 135 lbs before I got pregnant and 235 lbs at 34 weeks, which is when I delivered my healthy & beautiful twins ...
Just like yours, for first 6 months of my pregnancy, no stretch marks and I gave the creams all the credit!! But then, the belly stretched, the skin tore, the purplish, pinkish, reddish marks appeared .... and they came in all directions .... under the belly, on the sides, on the top of the belly, under the boobs, on the sides of the boobs .... oh my gosh!!! I couldn't believe it was happening to me!!
Thank God, I delivered early at 34 weeks .... I was estatic to see my twins, but I couldn't get over my stretch marks .... I did some intensive research of my own ... the conclusion is:
If you are religiously using creams & butters & oils and you do not get stretch marks, you believe it is the cosmetics that saved your belly!
But if you use the same products religiously, and get the stretch marks anyway, you know the bitter truth ...
its 35% genetic + it also depends 35% on the elasticity of your skin (how much you exercised before) + it depends 30% on how much weight you gain.
Stretch marks are your marks of victory ... of big accomplishments .... I know you would rather do without them, but if you are having them, they are here to stay, unless you prefer to put yourself through some skin grafting ....
BTW, it took me about 2.5 years to get used to them, to get over them, and now they are a part of ME, and I am rather proud of them .... when I go swimming, they speak for themselves ... ;)
my bigger problem is the broken naval ring ... I am going to get it fixed this year .... but a wonderful side effect of breastfeeding are my wonder boobs!!
so ... gain some, lose some ... thats the universal law.

M.H.

answers from Raleigh on

Sorry to tell all you mamas who swear by the lotion, but there is no actual way to prevent the stretch marks...you all are just plain old lucky! I also had stretch marks while I was pregnant and to this day, I still have them. They aren't pretty and it stinks, but I figure they are at least on my stomach and will always be a reminder of what I went through to be a mom. I used lotion for awhile, but my doctor told me that if you are going to get them, you will. It doesn't matter what you throw on there, it is just a fact of life. Most of our parents and grandparents didn't have all of the cocoa butter junk, and some have stretch marks and some don't. Good luck with the rest of your pregnancy!

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J.C.

answers from Anchorage on

Stretch marks are forever, although some cremes can help lighten them some, and there are lazor treatments that can improve them. I have embraced mine, it is just a part of who I am, like any other scar I may carry, of coarse I won't be wearing a 2 piece ever again! It is frustrating and unfair, but it is one of the prices we pay for the privilege of creating life, try to focus on the happy parts of the experience rather than on what you can not help.

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