Pregnancy & Body Issues

[Anonymous]

I'm blessed to be pregnant again. I keep thinking of how much I dislike the 4 small stretch mark lines on my stomach (each about the length of my pinky finger) and I'm dreading that I might get more stretch marks. My first pregnancy was great and I had no stretch marks but with my second pregnancy, I only got a few. I'm thinking that maybe with each pregnancy, the stretch marks get worse. I don't want a disgusting stomach full of ugly red stretch marks so I'm planning on eating very healthy and watching my weight gain. With both of my previous pregnancies I gained right under a total of 20 pounds. I did well and didn't overindulge. I'd like to one day wear a nice swimsuit again. Any other ladies out there have 3 or 4 pregnancies and not experience more stretch marks with each pregnancies?

[Anonymous]

Unfortunately, stretch marks are a function of genetics/heredity rather than how much weight you gain. Some people get them and some don't. Please don't limit your weight gain in the hopes of avoiding them. Less than 20 pounds is well below the recommended 25-35 pounds to gain (unless you were overweight before you got pregnant).

[Anonymous]

Are you very young, by chance? I imagine that if I had had my baby when I was in my teens or early 20s, I would have been concerned about the physical after-effects.

Now, though, I don't even think about my belly, which by your standards is beyond "disgusting". It doesn't even occur to me to care. Here's hoping a few years of maturity will get you past it.

[Anonymous]

Wow PP - way to completely generalize an age bracket. You are right, those of us "younger" (by DC standards, not the rest of the country) moms must be far more shallow since that characteristic would never be seen in a more "mature" mother. (here is where I advise you see the threads about breast lifts and augmentation....is that all the twenty-somthing mothers too)?

OP - to answer your question, I am sorry but as another poster mentioned stretch marks are far more hereditary, genetics, and how you gain weight than anything else. Those that gain quick stretch quick. I gained 15 lbs from knee problems years ago and ended up with stretch marks on my hips and lower back. Yet, 35 pregnancy lbs. later and though a few added to the back, none on my stomach. It worries me that you are trying to limit your weight gain to less than 20lbs. as this is truly under the recommendation unless you are overweight.

[Anonymous]

Heck, I'm 39 and concerned with what pregnancy did to my body - just because I'm an "older" mom doesn't mean I don't want to look good, in a bathing suit or otherwise!

Anyway, I agree with the others that there is nothing you can do about the stretch marks - I started getting them in the first trimester when I'd only gained 2 lbs.

Sorry I don't have any useful advice, although that I think the the best thing for you, your body and your baby is to make sure you're eating healthily and exercising regularly.

[Anonymous]

I am an older mom too and have my body back through diet and exercise. It was important to me to get my body back. I don't think there is anything wrong with that. It does not make me less of a mother.

[Anonymous]

Thanks for bragging about the low number of stretch marks you have. That should make the rest of us feel just dandy!

[Anonymous]

This is my first and I've had the same thoughts about not wanting stretch marks. Does rubbing oil (or whatever pregnant women stuff that is on your belly help?

[Anonymous]

Op here. Yes, by DC standards I'm a "young mom". I just don't want stretch marks but I will take whatever comes with this pregnancy. I am 15 pounds overweight so my weight gain from my last pregnancies were right where they were supposed to be. If there's anyway to assist my body and help my skin stretch, I will. I don't consider myself a shallow person but I do care about the way my body looks (to a certain extent). At least I know I'm not the only one who feels this way.

[Anonymous]

The 15-25 pound weight gain recommendation for overweight women applies to women who are clinically overweight, not carrying extra vanity pounds. I don't know where that leaves you. But as the other posters have said, stretch marks are mostly a function of heredity. A less than 20 pound weight gain seems scary to me. Here is where you gain your weight. If you add up the things that you can't control (placenta, water, utermine muscle, blood volume) it doesn't leave a lot for baby with a less-than 20 pound weight gain. Stretch marks fade, and it doesn't look like you're prone to them anyway.

7.5 - 8.5 lbs Baby
2 lbs Amniotic Fluid
1.5 - 2 lbs Placenta
1.5 - 2 lbs Breast Tissue
3 lbs Blood Volume
2 - 2.5 lbs Uterine Muscle
4 lbs Water
8 lbs Maternal Stores

[Anonymous]

I'm 34, don't consider myself particularly vain,... and I don't want stretch marks either! I have a few very very lights ones from #2.

I think its true that people who gain 50 pounds during pregnancy are more likely to have them... but I would NOT be shooting for under 20. As others have said, I think its mostly genetics, and a little bit of age. Your skin rebounds less well as you get older.

[Anonymous]

I'm embarrassed to say I've gained about 50 pounds during pregnancy (I'm at 39 weeks now and don't seem to be gaining more.), but it's been the right amount of weight for me so I don't feel bad about it. I started out at 115 pounds (5'6" tall). I feel good and don't look heavy or bloated - no stretch marks either BUT I've gotten a lot of cellulite on my butt and legs. Anyone else dealing with this or dealt with this in the past???? Blame it on the genes again?

[Anonymous]

I am the PP and just wanted to add that I am also "older" and I definitely care about how my body is going to rebound after the baby comes!

[Anonymous]

I had tons of cellulite during both pregnancies (35 weeks currently with #2). It's the hormones, and mine subsided quite a bit after I had the baby.

I agree that less than twenty pounds is likely to be recommended for women who are truly overweight - like 70 pounds overweight - but 15 pounds overweight just doesn't put you in that category.

I gained 43 pounds last time and had no stretch marks. So far, none with this one either. I have plenty of other complications, so please don't make a big deal about my "bragging" about lack of stretch marks. I just want to re-emphasize that it's genetics, etc (my mom didn't get stretch marks either), not a factor of weight gain.

Please eat a healthy, full diet!

[Anonymous]

OP here. To clear some things up: I'm only 5'5 and my normal weight is 165. I'm overweight. I eat pretty good most of the time and I'm not a couch potato. I've always struggled with my weight. So with my first pregnancy, my weight gain was 18 lbs and with my second pregnancy my weight gain was 17 pounds. Both pregnancies, the doctors thought my weight gain was perfect. They were very pleased and NEVER urged me to gain more. Both pregnancies went very well and completely complication free. I did eat healthy but I did enjoy desert and sweets too. I certainly didn't overindulge but I didn't stop myself from eating 4 meals a day with plenty of snacks in between. I was never hungry.
I recently started eating much better and becoming more physical in hopes of becoming more fit. Call me vain, but stretch marks aren't pretty. I don't want them, whether I'm a "young mom" or an "older mom". Struggling with my weight is tough enough, but having to worry about railroad tracks for stretch marks makes me more eager to stay fit during this pregnancy and control my weight AFTER baby. I definetely eat better when I'm pregnant and I drink less caffeine and sugar, mostly for baby's sake. To the mother that critized me, it seems that most mothers agree with me and I know I want a better, healthier lifestyle. Stretchmarks or not!