What did you use to prevent stretch marks?

[Sculpture Widow]

I always used Palmer's Cocoabutter lotion......not a single stretch mark after 2 kids. I used lotion every day when pregnant. I was HUGE pregnant, too....gained 50 lbs with both.

My mother doesn't have any stretch marks, either -- so apparently, I have the good genes for no stretch marks.

Unfortunately, I have great genes for cellulite. Argh. :sad:
I would give my left arm for a cream that truly got rid of cellulite.

[elemonj]

I am reading all these responses and I feel bad that you are having everyone say there is nothing you can do about it. Unfortunately I happen to agree with them though.
I didn't get them till later in my pregnancy and I only gained 30 lbs! I am not a big person, but a little overweight. I used lotion like crazty and it didn't help. The only thing it helped with was the itching.
I have 2 friends that didn't get a single one!! One of them had twins! I don't understand how she didn't get any and I got quite a few. Must be genetic! Good luck!!

[qponfreek]

Best question ever. My mom got tons. I have none (actually, one on each breast, but that's another story, they get HUGE). I drink tons of water, use NO moisturizer, and I don't gain much weight while pregnant.

[RNMommy]

It is genetic. But, if you stay REALLY REALLY well hydrated, and use a moisturizer daily, you may decrease your chances. Drink at least 64 oz of water/day-

[talk2ham.1]

I agree that it's genetic. I also agree that drinking lots of water and not gaining too much weight probably plays in quite a bit too. I think I read somewhere that the marks are actually caused from the inside out. Like folding a piece of paper and then trying to smooth it out again. The one side might smooth up a bit, but the other side is permanently stretched and weakened making a mark that shows through on both sides no matter what you do. And since pregnancy stretch marks are started on the inside, lotion on the outside won't stop them. All it does is just make you feel better about trying to do something about it.

[puakinikini]

I used Palmer's but was lucky in that I have good genes in this area (don't worry - I did not get good genes across the board - I was born with what they call "birthin' hips!). I got zero stretch marks with my twins but then got two lines across my hips with my last pregnancy.

[Kim1013]

What did you use to prevent stretch marks and did it work? I got stretch marks from the first kiddo and I really don't want them to "grow" with the second. I know I'll most likely get bigger the second time around so I want to keep the stretch marks to a minimum. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks.

[puakinikini]

I used Palmer's but most experts say that is all about genetics. Never hurts to moisturize and drink plenty of water.

[loladooder99]

I used nothing and got no stretch marks. Its genetics if your mother had them you will probably have them. Also it helps if you don't gain to much weight.

[searcher]

I had three and my last one was the big one at 8 lbs. I did not get any stretch marks on my stomach but I have some on my thighs and breasts. I used baby oil everyday during all my pregnancies.
But thanks to the cellulite you really don't notice the stretch marks on my thighs!