Worth it to try to prevent stretch marks? Any success with cocoa butter?

[Anonymous]

I am four months and starting to get a little bump. I have always heard that women use cocoa butter to prevent stretch marks, but I would think that stretch marks are a matter of genetics and not something that you can prevent topically. I also am not crazy about the idea of rubbing another cosmetic-type substance into my skin for weeks/months on end (besides deodorant and lotion on my legs), although they probably sell "natural" versions.

Does cocoa butter work? Any other tips or anecdotes? Thanks!

[Anonymous]

I've heard stretch marks are primarily determined by genetics. My mom didn't get them, and thus far (I'm just over 7 months) I haven't either.

I've still been massaging Mustela (sp?) stretch mark cream on my belly once a day. I figure it can't hurt.

[Anonymous]

If you're worried about the chemicals, I had gotten a 100% cocoa butter stick from Walgreens. Truly nothing else in it but Cocoa Butter and it cost 99 cents.

FWIW, I didn't get stretch marks with my pregnancy. But, I've heard the same thing, that it's probably just genetic. Figured it couldn't hurt.

[Anonymous]

I have been using Basq Resilient Belly Oil that I purchased on Babycenter.com. It's expensive, but I'm a product junkie, so I thought I would give it a try...so far it's working; 6.5 months and no stretch marks (and I've gained 20 pounds, and definitely have stretched). I agree that it's largely genetic, but why not help nature along! So far, so good. the stuff is a little greasy at first but definitely absorbs in and smells woodsy. Would recommend.

[Anonymous]

PP again - it's called Cococare.

[Anonymous]

I gained 40 pounds while pregnant & it was all in the belly. I looked ridiculous. I did not get strech marks on my tummy yet I did get them on my thighs, and even then I didn't start getting them until 2 weeks before I gave birth. I used Bella B Tummy Honey on my belly but not on my thighs. Not sure if this instance is genetics or the tummy honey, but I will say did soothe me when my skin got itchy from all that stretching.

[Anonymous]

It's really genetic.

I'm 5'5" and was 195lbs by the end of my pregnancy. I didn't get any stretch marks at all - and didn't do any cream beyond some lotion every now and then to make my skin feel better when it felt all stretched tight and itchy.

Cocoa butter doesn't hurt and feels good when you rub it in, so go for it. But blame your mother if you get stretch marks

[Anonymous]

I rubbed that stuff on my belly for months and really thought I was in the clear. And then the stretch mark fairy came to see me one day....and they just kept coming until I gave birth.

I am on my second pregnancy now and still using the creams, but only because they make the itchy feeling go away.

[Anonymous]

I gained 40 pounds and by all accounts didn't look it. I didn't get any stretch marks until near the end and they got worse after a c-section delivery. I only got them on my hips (and now my huge breastfeeding boobs! ) I don't think the creams really make much differnce at all, although they feel nice.

[Anonymous]

Hi, from someone who didn't do anything to prevent it. My answer is YES, try all the natural stuff, or just oil to keep the tummy from dryness. I regret I didn't try and so my wish for you is try your best and if you still get the stretch marks, at least you know you did everything possible...my 2 C.

[Anonymous]

With my first pregnancy, I religiously applied cocoa butter daily to my boobs and belly and butt and ended up getting stretch marks on the sides of my hips (a really strange place, I thought). No other stretch marks though. And then...my milk came in postpartum and my breasts have looked like sunbursts ever since! This time, I've been too lazy to put it on, although I need to, because I'm itchy!

[Anonymous]

The baby bump and preg. weight cause the stretch marks. You also get stretch marks if you have a beer gut.

The point is that the skin as to stretch to accommodate the extra pounds - whether a baby bump or beer gut. When the weight goes away the elasticity (which is partially genetics, partially skin tone, partially environmental -tanning, creams, oils) attempts to take on the original shape again.

[Anonymous]

Just another voice to chime in and say....you may not get them at all. I'm on my second pregnancy - both have been *all belly* (for better or for worse!) and I've never had stretch marks, nor have I done anything to prevent them...

[Anonymous]

OP here - thank you for your advice! Very helpful. (And fingers crossed I can avoid stretch marks ... my mom didn't get them, but she was 12 years younger than me when she was pregnant!)

[Anonymous]

I used anti-stretch mark cream - whatever they sell at Target and drugstores - can't remember the brand. I didn't really get any stretch marks, just a few faint ones around my belly that popped out at the very end of my pregnancy. Who knows if the cream helped, but I do know it helped keep my belly from feeling itchy when the skin started to stretch.