Stretch marks

[Dawn and twins]

I have not seen any yet. This is my first pregnancy (that I've made it this far anyway). I just have a couple of questions for those who understand the stretch mark thing:

Do they show up all at once or just one or two at a time?

Is it possible to have a twin pregnancy with NO stretch marks at all?

Do you think the Palmers Cocoa butter for stretch marks really works? I have been using it faithfully every night. Am I wasting my time?

I had a belly when I got pg and seem to be gaining slowly. But ev1 tells me that I'm going to pop out there in the next few weeks. I also seem to be filling out on the sides as well as the front.

Any thoughts appreciated. Dawn:throb:

[ditzydoodle2]

Well, I did not have ONE stretch mark until 34 weeks...then my entire stomach was covered, my hips and one on my butt. They showed up 2 days before the boys were born...<<cry>> Then my breasts were covered in purple stripes when my milk came in (I went from a size A to a DD in one day) I've never heard of a twin pregnancy without stretch marks, but maybe someone here has. It's all in your genetics...Cocoa butter sure did work for me though! And faithfully putting it on even after your babies are born will help them fade faster as well.
Sorry, hope I'm not discouraging you...just being honest.

[Rhappy75]

I have used Avon Basics, Care Deeply with Cocoa Butter. I never got any stretch marks with my daughter. One of friends used it with her pregancies and never got stretch marks. I personally dont feel that they are in the genes...my mother had them, her mother, and all three of my sisters. I have been lucky so far I guess. Will see at the end of this pregnancy if I will get any. I use the lotion once a day.

[ajhiort]

well, first I have to say..that the "genes" thing does not mean much..my mom had No stretch marks with 3 pregnancies..but I had them bad...after month 6 with my first born...I had them every where..my butt, my hips, my tummy..it was like WHOA! my second the same..and again! I used palmers the first time around..now i'm not really using anything but regular lotion...for itching.

[bigbabygirls]

I definitely have stretch marks, but IMO, they aren't bad for having a singleton and twins. I've seen MUCH worse. I used Palmers 2X/day faithfully, not to prevent them so much as to stop the itching and the pain of stretching. All the other lotions I tried didn't seem to last as long, and my belly was dry and itchy again.

[Canadamom24]

I only have a few small white stretch marks on the tops of my thieghs and they are from my 2nd pregnancy not the twins. I have no stretchmarks on my stomach or my breasts. I used lots of moistuizer and took showers that weren't too hot. Plus drink LOTS of water it helps your skin retain the moisture.

Good luck
Sarah

[Mymiracles]

When I had my first, I kept looking down at my belly thinking I must be one of those lucky people that won't get any... Then I caught a glimpse of myself after a shower and they were all over, under my belly where I couldnt see.:rotflmbo: With my second I didn't get any more. Now this time(twins) at 19 weeks, I'm getting them in new places, already!:crazy:

[nrcreine]

I didn't get them on my belly, but on my thighs. I think genetics do have a role, but you may not be your mother-- you may be your father's mother??!! I have friends that have them on their chests and have never had kids etc... I seriously think mine may be from the ivf shots? I would swell really bad whenever I gave myself the shots-- and that is exactly where they are... and I had to do it 2 xs in a row-- (I hyperstimulated the first go round so they cancelled my cycle.) On my belly I used Nuetrogena Sesame oil. I would just pour it on after my shower. I didn't have any "itching" either.


But even if you get them, your husband may think they are beautiful! You would be amazed at how your DH will look at you with such awe after you have two babies. Think of them as your war wounds! :throb: :throb:

[SarahK]

I didn't do anything special - I thought for sure I was going to have them since I already had some. My twin sis and my mom both have plenty.

I had stretch marks at the top of my thighs & hips from when I was a teenager, but didn't get any on my tummy or breasts or more on my thighs with the twins - at 35.

[LG37]

Is it possible to have a twin pregnancy with NO stretch marks at all?

Yes! I have absolutely none. I look the same as I did pre-pregnancy. I did use cocoa butter on my belly every morning and night, but I'm not sure that really made a difference. I've heard that genetics plays into it and my mom doesn't have any stretch marks either.

[Kim-mom2MnEm]

I didn't get any til I was around 6+ months along. They just sort of appeared a few at a time the bigger I got. Mostly around my belly button and a few along the sides of my belly. Not sure on the genetics thing as my mom only had 2 singleton births but did have stretch marks. :dunno: I used the lotion faithfully too, but in the end it didn't matter.

[twinsain]

I was going to start a thread like this just to see what moms out there believes works well.

I've had stretch marks since I was a teenager. My weight fluctuated so much that my hips, thighs and breasts had them. I had a pooch well before i was ever pregnant, I called it the "baby bump- room for baby". I think because I've had the extra skin down there may have helped with me not getting stretch marks thus far. I have only grown out in front and not around.

I have noticed purple viens going up from my hips to my breasts, and was wondering if that was normal. I never noticed them before.:eek:

I have faithfully been using Mustela Double Action Stretch Mark Cream. You can get it from Sephora.com or Destination Maternity. I chose this because I can use it breast feeding as well. It is hypoallergenic and safe for the babies. I got really sick of smelling Palmers Cocoa Butter and Mustela has a faint sweet smell and it makes your skin so soft! Definitely helps with the itching! It is a bit expensive ($32 for 6.8oz) but it has lasted me 5 months using it 2x a day and there is still some in the bottle! I had to get my DH to quit using it- he likes it for his callussed hands.

Good Luck with what you do and when you find something that works let us all know!

[katieskrew]

I got no stretch marks with DS. I didnt think I was going to get any this time either, until this week. :( Now at 28 weeks I have some showing up @ the bottom of my belly. I was so mad, esp since I was just bragging about how I had not gotten any yet.

[Twizzlersmom]

Sorry to dum you out but I didn't get any until a week before I delievered, and they were small ones. But I am a really tall gal, and carried my twins further back then most people, SO I don't know what to tell you. You will probably get some, but don't worry. Your husband will still love you (i didn't think mine would at first.).

[Dawn and twins]

I guess I'll just keep using the Palmer's and hope for the best. Thanks again.:throb:

[Barbara+2]

Just for the record: I hate all you twin moms with no stretch marks!!! J/K..... I was doing GREAT...no stretch marks until week 35, then BAM....got them on my hips,and lower belly area....after they were born I got them ALL OVER my breasts, its great, I love them...a lot....
Thankfully they have faded mostly...I still see them, but I probably notice stuff about me that others dont.
Lotion: I used every kind known to man....didn't help at all in my opinion....

[LDD0221]

I never got any with my three singletons, except a few on my breasts. I believe it's got a lot to do with genetics. But this time around with the twins, I am expecting to have a few! LOL

http://bd.lilypie.com/WSWcm4/.png (http://lilypie.com)

[Rudy]

I had none with my singletons and only a few with the twins - lower belly only. I'm tall but I was huge with the twins. They were big babies. You can barely see them anymore and I'm only 4 months post partum.

My legs are another story. They look like they belong to an 80yo with all the vericose veins and spider veins. I'd rather have stretch marks personally. I never wear a bikini but I do wear shorts.

I think you either get them or you don't. The lotion doesn't reach the deep tissue that gets the stretch marks but it helps the itching so go for it :D

[ajhiort]

yep, its the itching that will drive you crazy...no other women in my family have stretch marks..but I did horrible...so if it is genetics it must be from at least 3 generations back!!:crazy:

[Deedah]

I used vitamin E at night on my belly and coco butter all over. I didn't get any stretch marks and delivered at 35 weeks. My mom and sisters didn't get any either. But my belly skin is definatley not the same much looser now and it is still not back to normal. I don't think it ever will be although I will never stop trying.

[RoseRita Mamacita]

I was fanatical about lotion, 3 plus times a day, more than one lotion, because my mom had gotten them with me, and I didn't get a single stretch mark until 34 weeks and then, overnight all hell broke loose on my stomach, and now I have a copy of Rand Mcnally's on my stomach, and I'm still not over it. Honestly, it is the only thing about my pregnancy and post partum that bothers me. I also went through 2 bottles of stri-vectin after delivery and that faded them, but I don't think it did much more than time would have done on its own. I think gentics is huge, as is how big you get and how quickly it happens, as well as how you carry. I carried very low all along and I think in the end no lotion could help my tired belly skin, so much weight bearing for so long. In the end I gained 66 lbs, at least 15 lbs was due to an IV that was inserted for 5 days prior to birth (even though I was eating and drinking on my own, ugh!).

[lgn&rlysmom]

It happens to the best of us!

RosaRita your daughters are beautiful! The lower picture of your daughter on the left is amazing. The way she is gazing into the camera is breathtaking.

[lajonez]

Wow your girls are so beautiful! What a beautiful family!
That same exact thing happened to me. I delivered at 37 weeks, four weeks ago. I had no stretch marks until the week before, and I carried very low. I am so bummed! I am using Trilastin. It seems like when I am able to use my stomach muscles more though, that the skin will tighten up. At least I am hoping. I have them directly under my belly button. It's about a 3x3" diameter. I have always had a flat stomach so it will be interesting to see what happens and how long it takes until I can work out the area again after my c-section.

[Pebbles]

I did not have one until week 30 then BAM like getting hit by a truck. Out of now where. I think it has more to do with hormones than genetics. My sister is still angry with me that I don't have as many as she does. I also never lost my waist and never got that flat bellybutton.