Dan Bucatinsky: More Than I Can Chew
Doctors say there's no preventing stretch marks
Filed under: Just For Moms, Your Pregnancy
We live in an age of Miracle Creams, designed to fix anything that ails you; we also live in an age of celebrity obsession, where you can track the loves and losses and beauty secrets of famous people in amazing detail. So of course we're all obsessed with what precisely it was that Cate Blanchett was rubbing on her belly when she was pregnant because WHERE ARE THE STRETCH MARKS?!? She doesn't have any that I can see.Apparently, this has less to do with getting your hands on the right product and more to do with things like genetics and weight gain, at least according to the experts. In an article in today's New York Times, the American College of Obstetrician and Gynocologists tells us that we can rub whatever we like on our pregnant bellies, but we can't stop the stretch marks.
Sigh.
According to the Times, "Stretch marks occur when skin loses its elasticity, usually from rapid weight gain - a common occurrence, alas, when one is with child. But research has also shown that genetics and race play a role in stretch marks." So if your mother had stretch marks, you will likely have them too, and if you are a woman of color, your odds of winding up with permanent reminders of your pregnancy etched across your belly and thighs are greater than if you are Caucasian.
But the experts also say that while you can't PREVENT stretch marks, it doesn't really hurt to try. Rubbing fancy creams on your belly while you wait for the baby to grow keeps skin hydrated and makes you feel better, and really, the feeling better is probably the most important part.
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ReaderComments (Page 4 of 4)
6-06-2008 @ 6:22PM
Audrey said...I am 32 weeks pregnant and have probably gained 20 pounds by now, but still no stretch marks. I was pretty concerned about developing stretch marks, my mom and both my sisters have them, and I don't really want any (I am vain, I guess). But I heard it was mostly up to genetics so there wasn't a whole lot of preventative measures that I thought would be worthwhile. I have taken fish oil and vitamin E oil supplements throughout my pregnancy along with other pre-natal supplements because it is good for the baby. I also drink tons of water. I have rubbed cocoa butter, bio-oil and other body lotions with shea butter etc... on my belly over the last 8 months, more because it feels good than because I think it will prevent stretch marks. My belly will get really itchy if I don't put moisturizers on it. A tiny guatamalian lady that I work with said she looked like a house before she had her daughter, but has no stretch marks. She said letting your belly get itchy and scratching it will give you stretch marks. Maybe, maybe not, I don't know.
I think being healthy and doing what is good for your baby and your body is the most important thing anyway. Stretch marks are only unsightly because we compare ourselves with people that don't have any.
Reply
6-12-2008 @ 5:56AM
Jennifer said...Hi,
I always had pretty bad stretch marks and red scars around my belly region ever since I gave birth to my three kids.I had tried Vitamin E oil and cocoa butter which a number of people had recommended but it didn't seem to work. My Doctor had even suggested that I go for a Tummy Tuck. I then recently read an article about a lady who supposedly got rid of her stretch marks using a particular cream. I tried it and it worked really well. Within a couple of weeks my stretch marks were very much faded and they soon disappeared You can read the lady's article at the link below.
http://stretchmarkszapped.wordpress.com
Reply
6-29-2008 @ 2:53PM
Jennifer8055 said...Hi,
I used to have pretty bad stretch marks and red scars around my belly region ever since I gave birth to my three kids.I had tried Vitamin E oil and cocoa butter which a number of people had recommended but unfortunately it didn't seem to work too well. My Doctor had even suggested that I go for a Tummy Tuck. I then recently read an article about a lady who supposedly got rid of her stretch marks using a particular cream. I tried it and it worked really well. It took a number of weeks but my stretch marks soon faded away. I saw your comment on a stretch mark cream video and thought you might be interested. You can read the lady's article at the link below.
http://stretchmarkszapped.wordpress.com
Reply