Out of curiosity...

[JorgieGirl]

if you managed to escape stretch marks during your first pregnancy, what happened with your second, third etc?

How did your luck hold up? lol...it's like a big waiting game over here. haha!

[LittleLegos]

I got maybe two with first, maybe 2 more with second. I'm in the midst of third and seeing new ones and not even done yet. I'm already as big as I ever was with the first two (and not done yet), so may have more to come.

[at_the_hip]

Generally speaking, some women have really elastic skin, and are less likely to get stretch marks. I didn't get many, and I have huge bellies and babies! That has remained true throughout my pgs.

[MCatLvrMom2A&X]

I didnt get stretch marks with either of my pg's. I fully expected to though since my mom had them very bad with her pg's some almost 3 fingers across in width.

I dont know how I managed not getting them I didnt do a thing special.

[Hey Mama!]

I did not get any during my first pregnancy. But, I did during my second. First baby was transverse almost the entire pregnancy and I carried her very low. Second baby was in the proper position so I got some high up on my belly. Third baby again was transverse so no new ones. Mine are very thin and light.

[Georgetown HB Mom]

I am on baby #3. 32 weeks pregnant today. My other two were almost 8lbs. I don't have one single stretch mark anywhere. My mom never got any stretch marks nor did my grandmother so I think it has to do with good skin genetics.

Lisa

[finn'smama]

I'm on baby #3 and so far I've never had any stretch marks. Neither did my mom or my sister, so I tend to think it's genetics too, since I didn't do anything specific to prevent them.
My babies have been on the small side also, under 7lbs.

[mama2myloves]

I've made it through 3 pregnancies without any stretch marks. My mom and her mom were the same way.

[limette]

I had one of two in the first, a bit more in the last, just on my belly. I have stretch marks on my thighs and breasts from puberty.

They pregnancy ones showed up in the last week I was pregnant.

[mbhf]

I had very few, I think 3, in my first pregnancy. One right aboe my belly button and two on the side, the two on the side were very thin and the one over my belly button was about 1/4" wide and 3/4" tall. Aren't you glad I remember so well? I got a couple more with my second, and a ton more with my third. They are all very thin and faded quickly though.

[CountryMommy]

I made it through my first pregnancy stretch mark free but not this pregnancy. I have quite a few stretch marks under my belly button/on my lower belly this time.
I gained 35lbs during my first pregnancy (had a 9+lb baby) and have gained 30lbs this pregnancy (and am due on saturday)

[AnnieNimIty]

I believe it is largely based on your genetics. I had stretch marks from puberty, first pregnancy, and those grew during the second pregnancy. My bother who was never over-weight but shot up like a bean pole during puberty has lots of stretch marks.
He actually asked me once what to do with them... I have no idea other than letting them fade.

lol, I look like a zebra.

[mumkimum]

I ended up with 2-3 first pregnancy (got them right at the end, pretty much).

So far (at, um 37 weeks) no new ones this pregnancy. One difference that may or may not matter is that I've been doing more baths (with salt/oil) this time and have taken omega oils more often last time I took a lot of showers (I'm not big on lotion, so this is the closest I get to body moisturizing) and I know I didn't take oils as often.

I do think it's pretty much a crapshoot though.

[yentroc]

I had a few minor ones around my bellybutton with my first. I just had my second and got TONS of stretch marks the last two weeks of preg.

[Terrilein]

I totally expected to be covered from head to toe in stretch marks with my first pg since I got them during a rapid growth period in puberty. I ended up getting a few on the underside of my belly and on my breasts. I had gained 44 lbs in that pg so I wasn't complaining!!! This time around it's too early to tell. But I've noticed that my skin around my belly isn't itching like mad like it did with my first pg so maybe I'm stretchier this time around.

[MamaChicken]

None with my first. None with my second. None with my full-term twins!

[Monkey Keeper]

I had none with my first save a few on my lower back due to the quick mobilization of all of my swelling (I lost 30lbs in 2 weeks after birth) and across the top of my breasts from initial engorgement. With my 2nd, my stomach sprouted them at about 37w. She was almost 2lbs bigger than her sister, though.

[DeChRi]

Another vote for genetics. My mother had none. I have had 2, both between 8-9lbs, and no stretch marks. Like the OP, I am sitting here at 26 weeks with my 3rd and just waiting anxiously in hopes to avoid them. Totally vain, but I do a nightly inspection, lol.

My OB thinks that a lot of the skin health has to do with the time leading up to birth. If someone has not had extensive sun exposure, is long term well hydrated, and has gotten long time good intake of EFAs, that the skin is naturally is excellent health then and more apt to stretch w/o marks. Interesting thought that does none of us any good at this point, lol.

[Lucy Alden]

I've gained between 40 and 50 lbs with each of my three pregnancies. My littlest baby was 8lbs 4oz (39 weeks) and my biggest was 9lbs 15oz (40 weeks). Never had any stretch marks on my belly. Just a few on my breasts. It has to be genetics since I did absolutely nothing special.

[RedOakMomma]

You all are making me so jealous!

I started out with full-term twins and I am COVERED in stretch marks. They've all faded, but seriously...my skin is in tatters.

How did I manage to avoid stretch marks in my later pregnancies? ...I avoided them because I'd already gotten EVERY POSSIBLE stretch mark in my first pregnancy!

I'm religious about moisturizing, skin-care, and taking fish oil, too.... it's just genetics. Not much you can do about it or for it.