Will I get stretch marks during pregnancy?? - Skin Problems Message Board

remy03 · 07-29-2003, 08:50 AM

I have a question, I am 27 yrs old and got stretch marks on my lower back, hips, and buttocks during adolescence. The are all flat and whitish in color. I am wondering if I have a greater chance of getting stretch marks during pregnancy because i got them when i was younger. My mother, grandmother, and aunts never got stretch marks (so I am hoping genetics will kick in : ) . I know that it is important to maintain your weight and keep your skin hydrated. If anyone has personal experience I would appreciate it.
Thanks

siren1024 · 07-29-2003, 10:11 AM

Hi... hate to tell you this, but it sounds likely to me that you will since you got them in puberty. I have the old faded marks you described from when I filled out on my hips and butt when I was a young teen. I'm 22 now and just had my first baby 3 weeks ago. First of, all, I'm a Mary Kay beauty consultant, and have access to great products. I'm also incrediby vain about my skin. It was in tip top condition when I got pregnant. Let me tell you, I used everything under the sun, drank tons of water, and tried to keep my weight gain down. The only stretch marks I had until 7 months were on my breasts. But around 8 months, they exploded, all over me, and no preventative measures I tried seemed to do any good. And it wasn't just excess weight gain, because I was all baby. The bad news seems to be that the firmer and more conditioned your skin is, the worse your stretch marks will be, because it's never been saggy, stretched, or flawed before. So when it has to do all that stretching so fast, it can be really bad. Plus, as far as weight gain goes, there isn't a whole lot you can do about mild fluid retention in pregnancy, which caused the stretch marks on my upper arms.

I wish I knew of a miracle cure.

remy03 · 07-29-2003, 10:21 AM

That is what scares me. I must have got them when I filled out as well. I only weigh 105 lbs and I am 5'4. Like you my skin has never been saggy or stretched. Did your mother every get stretch marks? Everybody tells me it has alot to do with genetics so I am a little confused. Where are most of your stretch marks?

siren1024 · 07-30-2003, 07:37 AM

I was 5'8 125 before I got pregnant, so I was thin and always had been. My mother did have some on her lower abdomen, but she's always been overweight, so she had more "room" already. But her's were nothing like mine. My first, like I said, were on my breasts because I went from a 34A which I'd always been to a 36C in less than two months. I know most girls already have them there from rapid growth during puberty, but since it took me to the age of 16 to fill out an A cup, I didn't have any before.

Then when I really started growing (around 7 months pg) I got them on my upper thighs first, on the inside and front (the inside ones are really deep) then small ones on my butt, hips, and side, the inside of my upper arms, and REALLY REALLY deep bad ones from my pubic bone to my belly button. Those are the worst, and there was absolutely nothing there but a rapidly growing baby.

I've also heard genetics has alot to do with it, so maybe you'll be lucky. But it seems like if you got them during puberty, you're predispositioned to get them. Believe me, I tried EVERYTHING. Miracle creams did nothing.

Debbie_80 · 07-31-2003, 01:30 AM

I've heard this from someone who really knows what they're doing (been in the "child delivering buisness" for 30+ years)
Apply olive oil to all areas that might get stretch marks (stomach, tighs, butt) do this every day (and night for the entire pregnancy. Don't think about the smell or the stains on the clothes or bedlinen. I can almost guarantee that you won't have any stretch marks. Just masssage the oil into your skin every morning and evening.