[ezekielsmom]

Not sure where to put this, but did anyone else get horrible stretch marks after having your ds/dd? I have them so bad!!! all over my boobs, belly, sides, back and some on my thighs. i gained 35 pounds and only have 7 more to lose here at 8 weeks pp. will these get better? is there anything i can use to get rid of them?

 

[arlecchina]

I got a lil on the belly last time (very little actually) but got them BAD on my breasts from bf. I was a B cup and went DD+ while breastefeeding so not surprised - they were completely faded and not noticable after 2 years.

 

[phoebemommy]

My midwife suggested olive oil with lavender oil in it. I only have a few small ones right now, but I'm convinced that the oil is keeping them from getting big and is making them fade. I don't know how well it would work if yours are well established, but it's supposed to be an old fashioned way to minimize scars, etc.

 

[shoefairy3]

i have them everywhere, my stomach, back, boobs, calves..got them when i was preggo with ds#1

7 years later they are still there....really it is a genetic thing...either your are gonna get them or you are not. I really dont think there is much you can do to prevent them.

I've tried to come to terms with them, thankfully my dh loves them; he says they are tiger stripes

 

[CryPixie83]

I actually love my mama marks

they're like my badge of pride from having carried my babies. They fade with time... mine were almost unnoticable when I get pregnant with this one, and my dd was about 16 months old around that time.

I just noticed new ones in the mirror today before my shower

 

[eco_mama]

I have alot of marks too. My boobs, belly, inner highs, a few near my hips. I also think there's not too much to do to prevent them. I tried everything (religiously) I could think of when I was pg w/ my dd and still got tons. I didn't think I would either since my mom had 6 children and didn't get any. But I agree w/ a pp...either you're gonna get them..or you aren't. I was kind of ashamed of them after I had my dd. My body looked nothing like it used to. I felt like I could never show my belly again and it took awhile for me to feel comfortable in shorts. They faded over time and I've come to terms w/ them. I only have a few new ones from ds. I really could care less about them anymore. It's just part of giving life. It's natural. It's worth it!

"Every baby likes to leave their mark." -my mw, Lauren

That really made me kind of "appreciate" (so to speak) my marks.

 

[muckemom]

They'll fade... I haven't heard of anything that makes the fading go faster but they do fade.

I agree witht PP though... try and look at them in a positive light... it helps.

 

[ezekielsmom]

thanks guys! i really appreciate it. i heard they were genetic too but no one in my family got any

i used palmers coca butter for pregnancy religiously until i was 8 months pg. i didn't have ONE stretch mark! i figured since i was already that far along i could go with the target brand. big deal, right?! wrong! seemed like one week later i had two, then five, then twenty so i switched back to the good stuff but it didn't make a difference. the damage had been done. i try to think of it in a positive light, but i used to model and my new body makes me cry everytime i get out of the shower and look at it. my dh said that since i'm so unhappy about it that we will save up money and once we're done making babies i'll get the microdermabrasion thing done. i hear that's pricey!!! we'll also see if they fade by then.

i'm trying to tell myself oh well you've got more important things to worry about but it's hard. when you are obsessed with body image like i am it's hard to degress and be ok with it. gosh i'm so shallow! lol

 

[Megs_BK]

I didn't really have any at 8 months either... but the baby dropped and really started putting on the weight and my hips had to streeeetch to accomodate the new positioning. By the time I delivered her, my hips were pretty well covered and after delivery I was able to see the smattering on my low belly and thighs. I got bad stretch marks on my inner thighs and bum between junior high & high school, though, thanks to a huge growth spurt. So, I'd already had to come to terms with the scars at a significantly more vulnerable time for a girl. Am I exactly happy that I have them? No. But from past experience I know that they will fade in time. As long as I can lose the weight and regain my muscle tone someday, nothing's keeping me out of my cute two-piece swimsuits. I own too many to waste them!