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<p>So....about a week and a half or so ago it happened.....I noticed the beginning of belly stretch marks. When I first saw them I thought they were tiny bruises as they were dark and roundish. Then I thought about it and knew I hadn't been hit or poked to cause a bruise...so....they must be stretch marks starting. And....then....as the days past by...I noticed (on a daily bases) that they got increasingly larger and red. They went from being about the size of a dime (when first noticed) to some being an inch or two long and one long one even about 3 1/2 inches long!</p>
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<p>It's a hard thing to bear....knowing that all the lotions and belly oils I've been using for months haven't helped at all for getting them. They are still nice to use because they help with the itchy skin, but....for preventing stretch marks....no.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>I recently found a product called <strong>Mederma for Stretch Marks</strong>. It is a tube that sells for around $27-$40. Now....I was curious because when I had a surgery years ago my Dr. suggested I use <strong>Mederma for Scars</strong>. If a Doctor is pushing it....it must be safe, right? And...it must work, right?</p>
<p> </p>
<p>My husband and I have been researching online to see if this product is safe during pregnancy and breastfeeding (the plan) because although most of the ingredients are safe (botanical like onion, soy, etc.) there's multiple Parabens. What are Parabens? Per <span style="text-decoration:underline;">Wikipedia: <span class="st">Parabens are a class of chemicals widely used as preservatives by cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries.</span></span> I've read elsewhere that those are supposed to be avoided all together (if possible) but ESPECIALLY during pregnancy because they have been found in 9 out of 10 women diagnosed with cancer.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>However, we also found medical websites stating that the product is safe to use during pregnancy and that the sooner you use it (when stretch marks are first noticed) the more effective the results will be! And that Doctors were advised to hand out samples to their interested patients, etc.</p>
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<p>Very confusing indeed.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>So....I've been tossing around the idea of trying it out or not. What to do? I only have 4-8 weeks left of this pregnancy (I am 33 weeks today) and 37 is considered full term, so if he's early it'd be 4 weeks from now....if he's late by a week past my due date, it'd be 8 weeks away. So....I am not in the first trimester where the development is going on....which would be the most dangerous time of pregnancy to try out a questionable product. That gives me a sense that maybe.....just maybe....he's healthy and strong enough (since he's fully developed and just growing now) to handle a few chemicals that cross over to him the next few weeks.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>As far as breastfeeding goes.....we haven't looked that up yet, but will soon. I don't believe that topical products used by the nursing Mom are quite as big of deal as using products during pregnancy, but I could be wrong....this is our first child, so I've never breastfed before or know the 411 on it.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Does anyone have any advice, suggestions, tips, stories, experiences or questions?</p>
<p> </p>
<p>I would LOVE the feedback and input!</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Thanks.....and <span style="font-size:18px;"><strong>HAPPY NEW YEAR!</strong></span></p>
<p> </p>
<p>It's a hard thing to bear....knowing that all the lotions and belly oils I've been using for months haven't helped at all for getting them. They are still nice to use because they help with the itchy skin, but....for preventing stretch marks....no.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>I recently found a product called <strong>Mederma for Stretch Marks</strong>. It is a tube that sells for around $27-$40. Now....I was curious because when I had a surgery years ago my Dr. suggested I use <strong>Mederma for Scars</strong>. If a Doctor is pushing it....it must be safe, right? And...it must work, right?</p>
<p> </p>
<p>My husband and I have been researching online to see if this product is safe during pregnancy and breastfeeding (the plan) because although most of the ingredients are safe (botanical like onion, soy, etc.) there's multiple Parabens. What are Parabens? Per <span style="text-decoration:underline;">Wikipedia: <span class="st">Parabens are a class of chemicals widely used as preservatives by cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries.</span></span> I've read elsewhere that those are supposed to be avoided all together (if possible) but ESPECIALLY during pregnancy because they have been found in 9 out of 10 women diagnosed with cancer.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>However, we also found medical websites stating that the product is safe to use during pregnancy and that the sooner you use it (when stretch marks are first noticed) the more effective the results will be! And that Doctors were advised to hand out samples to their interested patients, etc.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Very confusing indeed.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>So....I've been tossing around the idea of trying it out or not. What to do? I only have 4-8 weeks left of this pregnancy (I am 33 weeks today) and 37 is considered full term, so if he's early it'd be 4 weeks from now....if he's late by a week past my due date, it'd be 8 weeks away. So....I am not in the first trimester where the development is going on....which would be the most dangerous time of pregnancy to try out a questionable product. That gives me a sense that maybe.....just maybe....he's healthy and strong enough (since he's fully developed and just growing now) to handle a few chemicals that cross over to him the next few weeks.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>As far as breastfeeding goes.....we haven't looked that up yet, but will soon. I don't believe that topical products used by the nursing Mom are quite as big of deal as using products during pregnancy, but I could be wrong....this is our first child, so I've never breastfed before or know the 411 on it.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Does anyone have any advice, suggestions, tips, stories, experiences or questions?</p>
<p> </p>
<p>I would LOVE the feedback and input!</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Thanks.....and <span style="font-size:18px;"><strong>HAPPY NEW YEAR!</strong></span></p>