When do stretch marks appear?

[Anonymous]

Hello,

Just wondering when stretch marks generally show up? Is there a time point where you can feel like you've dodged the bullet?

[Anonymous]

I thought I dodged the bullet until 38 weeks when a couple appeared under my belly. My husband pointed them out. I couldn't see them until I really looked. I only ended up with those two.

[Anonymous]

I've had two babies and never got any stretch marks. It really is all genetics. If your mother didn't get them, you may luck out and not get them either. Otherwise, I agree with PP, you really aren't safe until after you deliver the baby. On the plus side, if you don't get them for #1, you won't get them for subsequent babies either.

[Anonymous]

Use cream that prevents stretch marks.

[Anonymous]

DD was born at 42 weeks -- didn't get stretch marks until after my due date at week 41! Probably because I became overly confident and cocky about my no stretch mark stomach when friends would ask about that...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I thought I dodged the bullet until 38 weeks when a couple appeared under my belly. My husband pointed them out. I couldn't see them until I really looked. I only ended up with those two.

Me too! Especially since I only gained 26 lbs. so I didn't think I really "expanded" that much.

I counted a total of 5 - the two I didn't see because they were below my belly button so I couldn't see them when pregnant, but then I noticed them after delivery and then 3 more appeared by my hip bones.

OP - genetics, skin type, age, and weight (before and during) are all factors. I suppose if you really wanted to hide them you could get a tatoo (like a coworker...that would've not been my choice, but to each her own I guess).

[Anonymous]

Literally I got them during labor with my second pregnancy. I felt my skin stretching and ripping... I am still bummed. Talk about thinking I had dodged the bullet twice...

[Anonymous]

Mine showed up at 38 weeks. Don't worry - they do fade with time.

[Anonymous]

I gained 26 lbs during my pregnancy and was doing so well stretch mark-wise until the 36-37th week, when the baby dropped...Overnight, I got stretch marks on the lower part of my belly. But I must say that they have mostly faded since then (I gave birth 13 months ago...)

[Anonymous]

I agree with 14:17 that it is completely genetic. Two pregnancies and no stretch marks. With both pregnancies I gained almost 50 pounds so you would have thought I would get them for sure. My mother never got them either. Just to be safe, I slathered on the Palmer's Cocoa Butter.

[Anonymous]

No stretch marks, had twins at 34 weeks.

[Anonymous]

I have what I think are fairly bad stretch marks, and mine didn't show up until 37/38 weeks. From everything I've read, it mostly has to do with genetics. You should ask your mom or sisters (if you have any) if they got them. Mine did fade after birth , but I am pregnant again and they seem to have come screaming back to the surface pretty quickly.

GOod luck! I have just made peace with the fact that my bikini wearing days are over....of course, I think the flabby belly didn't help that matter either, but that's for a different thread...

[Anonymous]

Now at 34 weeks, I see a few stretch marks with the help of the mirror. Just started using a natural belly balm.
It was very hard for me to loose weight after many years. Finally I figured out it was hypothyroidism, the treatment started, I lost many pounds and my boyfriend (now my DH) bought a bikini for me.
Just wondering I will be shy again to wear bikini due to the stretch marks. We'll see...

[Anonymous]

I'm not sure it's entirely genetics... I didn't get any but my sister and mom both have horrible ones. I only gained a modest amount of weight and also slathered on the Palmer's Cocoa Butter everyday from about 8 weeks on. A friend of mine got hers in the postpartum period from her stomach deflating!

[Anonymous]

With pregnancy #1 I slathered on the cocoa butter religiously all over my belly and boobs. Still got some very close to the end of my pregnancy around the sides of my hips, of all places. And then I got some after birth on my boobs from becoming rapidly engorged!