In the beginning of my pregnancy, I wondered about stretch marks. Okay AND everything else. Most of my friends had an idea or two about stretch marks. A lot of my friends with kids under five walked away without stretch marks. Randomly, my friends with kids older than five seemed to have stretch marks. Coincidence, maybe. But definitely interesting.
After doing my own research, I think it’s a crap shoot. Research suggests that stretch marks are primarily genetic. However, the rate at which your belly grows along with nutrition, health and skin tone can play a factor. So, I started “lubing” my belly with cocoa butter and shea butter because I heard these are the best natural lubricants. There really are a million products that claim to prevent stretch marks. And they are not cheap. I doubt there is one product which actually prevents stretch marks. Which is why I chose to use natural oils. They claim to moisturize and help prevent stretch marks while soothing your stretching skin. One product I like is called Wild Carrot Herbals from New Seasons and Whole Foods. It has olive oil, cocoa butter, shea butter, vitamin E and even St. John’s wort along with a few other special ingredients. Like anything else in life, there’s no guarantee but I figured lubing up couldn’t hurt. At the very least it minimizes the itching from my growing belly and body. And it feels good to pamper my skin.
The funny part is that the die hard marinators were two prominent Portland yoga instructors. They both openly shared their pregnancy/stretch mark experience with me. The NE Portland yoga instructor said she gained 60 pounds with her son and “lubed up” five times a day. And, no stretch marks. Wow, that sounds amazing. The second instructor in SE Portland said that she used oil called Mother’s Special Blend found at Whole Foods. She would lube up from head to toe and cruise around naked for 20 minutes or so two to three times a day. She said she didn’t get any stretch marks either. Lubing up 2-5 times a day and letting it soak in sounded like a big time commitment to me.
So, I’ve been doing what’s realistic for me. I’m lubing up once a day and try to do the head to toe lube job because it feels so good. I can’t say I do it everyday but definitely get the belly on a daily basis. It feels like I’m giving my skin a drink of water. My husband likes to sing “Marin-nnnnaaation” when I oil up and scoot around naked.
Bottom line is that all things being equal, I’d rather not get stretch marks but know it’s the smallest trade-off for the miracle of life. To date, I’m packing 30 pounds and still stripe free. However, I know those victory stripes can show up any ole time so we shall see.
I would love to hear your tips or stories about lubing up?
Please leave a comment below. Thanks for sharing!
Tags: baby, pregnancy, stretch marks
17 Comments
Hey this is a great post. I’m going to email this to my friends. I stumbled on this while surfing for some music lyrics, I’ll be sure to visit regularly. thanks for sharing.
This post is beyond awesome. I am always wondering what to do and what not to do so I will follow some of these tips.
Hey Brandy! Great topic! Check out this website… http://www.belliskincare.com. I heard about them on Pregtastic, a wonderful podcast on pregnancy. Belli Skin Care belongs to a doctor and his wife…the website had a great question & answer page about skin care products and pregnancy.
I’ve been using their Elasticity Belly Oil twice a day just on my 3 B’s = belly, boobs & butt! At 31 weeks, no stretch marks yet…but only time will tell!
Unfortunately, I think it is genetic. I didn’t get any stretch marks and I didn’t lube up once. I have a friend that was religious about lubing up and she got stretch marks just like her mother. Great post. You are such a good writer mama.
Bran, love this post! I want to hear Sean sing his “marination” song. Can’t you get a video of him singing that on here??
Another wonderful article by you Brandy! Fun & packed full of great info. Keep ‘em coming!
OMG-I know the owner of Wild Carrot Herbals….suh fun!!! They are great products!!!
I lube once per day. I doubt it will prevent anything, but how can I not try???? My girlfriend Jessica made me a belly balm with olive oil, beeswax, calendula oil, coconut oil and love. I think if anything helps it will be the love! It also doubles as balm for the perineum to help prevent tearing
I’m packing about 30 extra # as well….no stretch marks yet….
Amye, I agree about lubing once per day-why not?? And your special love balm sounds delicious. Speaking of which, I recently found some lip balm that you made me back in the day. Give your beautiful belly a rub for me!
Thanks mom! Love you
Thanks Karli for reading and commenting! I’m having so much fun writing. I agree with you about genetics playing a HUGE role in stretch mark outcome! P.S. Rex is beautiful!
Adrianne, I love lubing the 3 B’s! I checked out that skincare site and giggled at the “Say No to Stretchmarks Set.” Who says “Yes Please” to stretchmarks? I’ll be curious to find out the final verdict on your products. I’m thinking if you love them at 31 weeks, you’ll probably love them at 40 weeks. Happy Lubing! Keep me posted.
I am a once a day luber! I am using Bio Oil as my mom has had positive results using it with surgery scars. I have gained 35 lbs. and didn’t have a stretch mark until last week (39 weeks)! Agh, I am a bit bummed, within perspective, but I kbow my skin is susceptible to stripes!
Thanks for sharing your lube experience. I heard those victory stripes can come anytime. Cheers to you being 39 weeks-bet you can taste the finish line.
I come from a LONG LINE of women who get HUGE during pregnancy (I almost topped 200 and the kid weighed 9.5pounds – my mother weighed 13 pounds!) and no one in my family has stretch marks. Doctor says they’re under the skin and there’s no cream to treat them. BTW, LLLLLLOOOOOVE your blog. You look beautiful. Congratulations!
Thanks Heather for your comment! You are one lucky lady to get huge during pregnancy & walk away wo stretch marks. Awesome! We are on the home stretch and sooooo excited for this next stage of life. Hope to see you at TBEX.
OMG-I know the owner of Wild Carrot Herbals….suh fun!!! They are great products!!!