Which Is the Best Stretch Mark Preventative?

Sorry to say it but the best way to prevent stretch marks is to have the right genetics and to gain weight slowly. Good luck!!!

Hi K., I use something called "Mother's Friend" 36 years ago, and I don't have any stretch marks at all.

Good luck!

hi K.,

i used vitamin E oil from family dollar w/twins & dont have 1 stretchmark! go get it...it definitely worked for me & it's cheap! i was allergic to the tummy butter
good luck & blessings!

I second the recommendation for Tummy Honey Butter. I used it for my first pregnancy and not a single stretch mark. Now I am 6 months pregnant and am using it again. I love this stuff and am so happy to hear that it is now at Wal-mart (from your previous poster)...when I was using it two years ago, I was ordering it online at specialty stores, so it's great that it is a lot more accessible.

Good luck!

I used tons of pure avocado oil on my stomach twice a day for the majority of two pregnancies and didn't get any stretch marks. Not sure if it is genetic (my mom has them), but my stomach was huge with both of my boys (just had the second 10 wks ago) and I think the avocado oil really made a difference.

http://www.ageless.co.za/herb-avocado.htm

Benefits of avocado oil to the skin

It is also high in sterolins, which are reputed to reduce age spots, help heal sun damage and scars. It is the sterolins (also called plant steroids) in the oil that helps to soften the skin and imparts a superior moisturizing effect.
For this reason it is an ideal ingredient to include when formulating for people with dehydrated, sun or climate damaged skin, as it is an extremely good moisturizing and nourishing compound, assisting in the regeneration and rejuvenation of the skin.
In a study done at the Department of Food Engineering and Biotechnology, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology in 1991, it was found that avocado oil significantly increases the amount of collagen in the skin - which normally is under attack as we grow older.
Avocado oil is easily absorbed into deep tissue, and with its wonderfully emollient properties, makes it ideal for mature skins. It also helps to relieve the dryness and itching of psoriasis and eczema.
It is often used for clients with dry or mature skins, or people suffering from eczema or psoriasis, and is very useful when treating sun or climate damaged skin that is dehydrated and undernourished, as it is said to help with regenerating the skin and softening the tissue.

Congratulations on your pregnancy! Stretch marks can't really be prevented - either you get them or you don't. It's really that simple. All the creams and lotions in the world will not stop them, because they do not penetrate to the layer of skin that causes the stretch marks, but they will keep your tummy nice and soft. :-)

I've been pregnant three times. No stretch marks the first two times at all. The third time, I went to sleep one night in week 17, woke up in the morning with a roadmap on my tummy. Oh well. I wasn't thrilled, but I *was* thrilled to be having a baby - one we had waited 7 years for, so those stretch marks are totally worth it. When my daughter gets older, I will proudly show her those marks, because I only got them when I got her!

Best wishes to you!

after a single and twin pregnancy i don't have a stretch mark....I used Neutrogena Oil.It has sesame oil in it. I got it at Target for about $9.00. (I am sure any drug store carries it.)

I used the Mustela products when I was pregnant and loved them. Babies R Us carries some Mustela products or you can find them online. I didn't get any stretch marks.

I used Palmer's cocoa butter and oil RELIGIOUSLY! And guess what...I'm COVERED in stretch marks! I used to slather that stuff on myself like 8 times a day and I still look like I got mauled by a bear! good luck, but nothing worked for me!

Good genes and don't gain a lot of weight. Good thing thing I have good genes!! ;)

No matter what anyone says, there's no preventative. If you talk to any doctor, you'll find out that it's genetic. If the women in your family got stretch marks, you probably will too. However, something else that causes them is gaining too much weight too fast. Just be careful of that, but that's not usually an issue unless you don't eat right.

You'll be fine, and even if you get stretch marks, you will find that it's more than worth it in the end. You may want to keep a good hydrating lotion on your tummy, though, because it will start itching through all of the stretching. I tried cocoa butter with my first, but I couldn't get past the smell. I see a lot of people said Vitamin E. Before you use that, check with your doctor. It was several years ago, but I remember reading that you're not even supposed to use soap with Vitamin E because of something. Really I don't remember. I would just say to check and make sure. It may be nothing. Good luck mama, and congratulations!

http://www.muddahbuddah.com

This is the best, and there are no harmful chemicals in it! You can try all kinds of stuff, but it all has chemicals that aren't good for you, your body or your baby.

Check out the website and see for yourself. Also the lady that makes it lives in Plano.

IMHO, stretch marks being genetic and unpreventable is total bunk! Proper skin moisturization is important, but even more important is proper nutrition - extremely important during pregnancy of course - but for stretch marks specifically, make sure you are getting enough Zinc & B6. Most people are zinc deficient and don't even know it.

Congratulations on your pregnancy. I did not read all of the responses but I did see Leanne's. I agree....Good genes and weight management throughout pregnancy.

I was fortuante with the genes as well but I will ad....I was VERY proactive with my approach. I used Cocoa Butter and Vitamin E oil faithfully. I stayed active in my exercise program. I was very conscious to have a healthy diet. Don't deprive yourself, just eat smart. Yes, you are eating for 2 but that is no excuse to pig out and go overboard with eating.

You can do it......I was back in my skinny jeans at 2 weeks post birth and if you are conscious about what you are doing you can do it too.

I also used the cocoa butter on my boobs. My boobs started growing well before I ever showed.

Congratulations! Best wishes to you!

Just make sure you are really well moisturized. doesn't matter the cream. I typically used a body cream not a light moisterizer or cocoa butter with elastin/collagen. The drier your skin the easier it is the crack, flake, itch and create stretch marks. And drink water too (punch or water ever suits you.) I tried body oils but it kept rubbing off on my clothes. Putting moisturizer right after a bath or shower is really good too.

I used Palmer's Cocoa Butter lotion when I first got pregnant & then as I got bigger I started using the Palmer's Tummy Butter on my belly. Palmer's products work really well during pregnancy. I gained 50 lbs with my daughter & it was mostly in my belly & never got one stretch mark. Just always remember to lotion up after you shower & put the tummy butter on before going to bed too.

No advice except be sure you do it! I got lazy and didn't use lotions and the last 3 weeks my baby got huge and now I have horrible stretch marks that I will forever regret! I WISH I had listened! No bikini for me ever again!

i used baby oil. every night i would really oil my tummy. this helped me. don't spare the oil. good luck.

I took baths with baby oil poured in them. I do not have any stretch marks but I don't honestly think its from the baby oil. I think it helps to gain only a reasonable amount of weight and not to much at one time. BUT that being said, I will still use baby oil religiously with my next pregnancy!

Vitamin E oil works wonders. I put it on my belly every night since I was in the 4th month of pregancy.
I'm due in 3 weeks with our second child and not a single stretch mark (in my belly) so far.

I used the same Vit E oil with my first and didn't get stretch marks in my belly either.

I got them in my buttocks and inner thighs though, I should have put Vit E oil there too!

I used the Palmer's Cocoa Butter and I didn't get a single stretch mark! Don't know if it was b/c of the lotion or good genes ; ) or just because my belly was rather small. Can't hurt for you to try though!
Congratulations on your little angel!
Good luck,
M.

With my first pregnancy, every woman that worked with my husband said to get Tummy Honey Butter and none of them had stretch marks. So, I bought it and I also did not get any. I am due July 12th and am getting bigger a lot faster this time, but still haven't gotten any stretch marks. You can get it at Babies R Us and some Wal MArts carry it. I swear by it now. Here is the link to it at Wal-Mart.
http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=7386264
hope this helps!

My best advise is no caffeine and very limited carbonated drinks. Caffeine takes the elasticity out of your skin. I stayed away while I was pregnant and no stretch marks. I drank milk, water, sports drinks and juices only. I also used Aveno lotion everyday. It helped with the itchy skin.

I used Palmers Cocoa butter in the jar and at night took baths with Vaseline bath beads- I do not have a stretch mark anywhere.

I used cocoa butter when I was pregnant with my first child. I applied it everyday. No stretch marks but after he was born and my stomach shrunk, it looked like freddy kruger got me...stretchmark city! Cocoa butter did not work for me.

I have heard they are unpreventable but I never got any with my first and so far none with this one. I hate the smell of cocoa and shea butter so I use baby oil in the shower and I also LOVE the new Curel Pregnancy and Motherhood lotion, it's AWESOME!

I had my little one a couple of weeks ago and can luckly say that I have no stretch marks. I work at Walgreens and found the ideal product. It is called Bio Oil! You just apply it twice a day to your belly, thighs and breasts! It is also good for scars and other things. I highly recommend it!!!

There was one that I started to use since during pregnancy I couldn't stand the smell of cocoa butter. It is Vitamin E lotion ( dont remember full name) you can geet it at Sam's Club. Also Arbonne sells something (i think it is a scar minimizer) that worked great for a friend. Try plain Vitamin E oil/lotion. Hope this helps!!!

My sister used cocoa butter & vitamin E. She would break up the caplets(back then)and use the oil straight out of the vitamin. She did this with two pregnancies and does not have a stretch mark one. Me & Another Sister did nothing much and we both have road maps on our bellies. I agree with the one mom who warned about different chemicals so would not use cocoa butter with elastin and collagen. Have a wonderful pregnancy & stay cool!

There is nothing you can put on your tummy to prevent strtch marks, but use any good lotion for itching. Your tummy will itch as the skin stretches. Also, gaining only the doctor-recommended amount of weight may help prevent stretch marks, but your genes will have the biggest say in the matter. Good luck and congratulations!!

Stretch marks are genetic--probably if your mom got them--you will get them. My mom didn't, and I didn't.
But staying hydrated helps and I also slathered lots of oil on after every shower---a natural brand from whole foods---can't remember the name. You want to be careful what kind of chemicals you put on your skin when you are pregnant--good luck and congrats! I had my first baby last August and all I can say is...it gets really hot...my feet swelled A LOT. Stay cool!

I used Biosilk Silk Therapy on my belly while I was pregnant my two kids. It's mainly for hair but can be used for skin, too. It's expensive but I do hair and can get it at cost. Let me know if you'd like to try it and I'll sell it to you at my cost. I live in Melissa and work in Allen.

Hi K.,

I am using Palmer's Cocoa Butter cream. It has worked the last 2 pregnancies for me. Not only will you have less stretch marks, but your skin will be really smooth also.

I"m sure that you've been told Palmer's Cocoa Butter but it really does work. I think genetics also has a lot to do with it as well but Palmer's worked great for me. I have triplets and not one stretch mark. Good luck..

K.,
From what I understand, as others have mentioned, stretch marks are fairly genetically driven. However, while I do have stretch marks in other places from weight gain/loss, I did not get any on my stomach from pregnancy. I used Mother's Special Blend Oil after every shower and sometimes twice a day. You can get it online or at Sprouts, Whole Foods, etc.
http://www.mothersspecialblend.com/
Good luck!

Hi! I'm nearly done with my second pregnancy (counting the days now ... ) and for both pregnancies I used Palmer's cocoa butter with vitamin E, collagen, and elastin. I have no stretch marks. My best friend used vitamin E oil and has no stretch marks. Hard to say whether it was the products or if we were just blessed with elastic skin, but either product might be worth a try. Good luck!

I ended up with 1 stretch mark next to my belly button my 1st pregnancy and it looks like I'm getting one on the other side with this one. They're unpreventable and genetic. That said, I absolutely hate the smell of cocoa butter I don't think lotion helps prevent them but it helps the itchy tummy! So I've been using either the Organic Belly Butter from MotherHood - smells clean, or Spa Wisdom Monoi Miracle Oil from The Body Shop - smells tropical.

I was always told they were heritary and cream may seem to help but was told if your mamma got them then you probably will too.

Congrats on the baby!! As your OB can reiterate, nothing can truly prevent stretch marks. They come from the skin stretching and the amount and severity of them depends on how much elasticity is naturally in your skin. There is nothing you can do to change that. You can use the creams you find such as Cocoa Butter and that might help marginally but don't expect too much from them. Just keep in mind that those stretch marks are a symbol of what you went through to have your beautiful baby. Be proud of them!! Take care and best wishes!

I did cocoa butter lotion when I was pregnant and ended up with clogged pores and a frightful rash. The doctor told me to stop and to stop worrying. He said I couldn't prevent them and it was the luck of the draw. I have NO stretch marks, and I used nothing but my regular moisturizer.

Always listen to women that have NO stretch marks. Think about it like science. The skin is elastic and will stretch if it has enough moisture and oil. I have had 2 kids and no stretch marks.
~~~~~~~~~~~
Every morning and every night rub lotion on your belly, sides, hips and backside. Suave has cocoa butter and now other pretty scents too and is so affordable and you can wear under your clothes. DO THIS RELIGIOUSLY.
~~
Buy a hand sized one for your purse.
~~
NEVER NEVER NEVER scratch. It tears the tender layers of skin away and that causes those marks. Just grab up your hand sized tube and cover your belly and oooh feels so good and no more itch.

Keep some by your bed too for when you are resting.
~~~~~~~~~~~
I am always amazed that docs don't encourage women to do this when they come in for their ob appts but most ob's are men and what do they care?

You can be beautiful and wear a bikini after baby.

PS: I have recommended this to so many women and those that did this came out w/o marks. Those that thought I was crazy, well, no bikini for them. Start today and stock up, you will need lots of lotion. :)

God bless your new baby! c

PS: oh every woman in my family has stretch marks. I was only one that did the lotion routine - hereditary? no. Just family practice is hereditary. Remember to watch your weight. I was humongous for my first, they still tease me about my belly size but I only gained about 40lbs with each.

I've used cocoa butter with the collagen and elastin with every pregnancy and don't have one stretch mark, BUT I'm not sure if that's b/c of the cocoa butter or not, but it's worth a try. I'm on my fourth pregnancy and so we'll see if I can escape yet one more time. ( : I might also add that I'm a pretty small person so I don't know if that would make me more prone to stretch marks w/o the cocoa butter or not. Good luck. ( :