Feature image from BABY ZONE

If stretch marks are in your genes, then I am going to get them.

I am currently pregnant.  Stretch marks are in my family.  My mother has them, my sister has them, and I have them on my breasts and hips.

So what can I do?  The internet recommends exercise, moisturising oil, vitamin C, vitamin E to keep the skin moisturised, drinking heaps of water and eating healthy fats.  Here goes…

Well, I have nothing to loose by trying.  If everything I try doesn’t work, then what have I lost?  Nothing.

But what if it does work, what if I can actually fight stretch marks during pregnancy and have a streak free tummy post baby.

At 5 Weeks

There has been no change to the belly, no stretching or changing in any way.  Water - At the moment, I am drinking heaps of water, like litres a day.  I am not consciously drinking for my skin.  I am craving water all day and I am so thirsty.

 Vitamin C - I am taking an extra vitamin C tablet each day to help with my bowels and because it if a vital vitamin for healthy skin and to fight the effects of Oxidative Stress.  Exercise - I have not changed my exercise routine at all.  I still go to dance classes and walk almost every day.

At 7 Weeks

My stomach still looks exactly the same, but I am starting to think and plan for a stretching belly.  With that in mind, I have started looking for skin oils to rub into my skin.  Skin Oil - For the moment I am using Bio Oil and Shea Cocobutter.  Start rubbing bio oil into my belly but thinking that there must be a better oil.  Water - Still drinking heaps of water.

Vitamin C - I take a daily dose of Vitamin C when I take my pregnancy supplements in the morning with breakfast.  Exercise - I have been far too sick to keep exercising like I use to.  I am walking a little, and have been to a couple of dance classes, but my exercise routine has fallen apart for now.

At 15 Weeks

My stomach still looks exactly the same, but I am starting to think and plan for a stretching belly.  With that in mind, I have started looking for skin oils to rub into my skin.  Skin Oil - So I went searching for a better pregnancy oil.  I have tried a couple from the chemist, but they all smell kind of weird.  I have a tiny little bump now, not that my skin is stretched out, but the changes are coming.  Water - Still drinking heaps of water.

Vitamin C - I take a daily dose of Vitamin C when I take my pregnancy supplements in the morning with breakfast.  Exercise - So I am back on track with dance classes.  Mostly I go to Ballet class (without the jumping) and I have started doing weekly Yoga to tone and stretch.

At 16 Weeks

Skin Oil - I found an amazing one!  Natures Energy have an incredible hand made Pregnancy Oil for sale in their stores.  It is the only one with no other chemicals on the market.  Not only is the oil great for my skin, but I think it is actually healing my old stretch marks from when I was a teenager.  Yay!!

At 30 Weeks

Wow!  Ok so there is a pretty huge belly down there now.  My skin has started to stretch out and feels itchy all the time.  Skin Oil - I am applying the Natures Energy Pregnancy oil blend twice a day now.   I am putting it on when I first get up, and again before I go to bed.  This means I am getting oil on my skin every 12 hours.  Most of the growing is happening at night.  That is when I wake up and everything is bigger and different.  Water - Still drinking heaps of water.  Vitamin C - At the moment my belly is growing and changing so much at night while I sleep, that I started taking another Vitamin C tablet before bed, specifically for stretch marks (or more importantly, to not get stretch marks).  Vitamin E - I know there is Vitamin E in the natural oils in the natures Energy blend but I ate a whole avocado yesterday just in case.  Excercise -  Ballet twice a week, Yoga once a week and I walk every chance I get.

At 31 Weeks

Woke up in the middle of the night to an itchy stomach, and very thirsty.  There was a lot of growing last night happening.  Skin Oil - I am applying the Natures Energy Pregnancy oil blend twice a day now, but last night I put some on in the middle of the night to relieve the itching.  The weather is really hot at the moment and I wonder if I am getting dehydrated.  I am applying Skin Oil when I first get up, and again before I go to bed.  Water - Last night I was so thirsty I drank water in the middle of the night.  Baby is seriously starting to grow and I need heaps of water.

Vitamin C - Still the same, one in the morning with my tablets and one at night before bed.  Vitamin E - I forgot to eat avocados this week, and I am a little worried about my Vitamin E Levels.  I will look into it this week.  Excercise -  Still the same, Ballet twice a week, Yoga once a week and walking a little, but that is getting harder.  Magnesium Oil - I have just started adding Magnesium oil to the regime.  It was given to me by a friend who did not get any stretch marks during her pregnancy.  Mine is from TWENTY-8 but I am sure there are lots of great brands out there.

At 38 Weeks

Not a single stretch mark! Woooot!!!

Post-Baby Belly

I’m not going to stop taking care of my skin now.  I supported it while it stretched our and now I need to care for my skin as it shrinks back to its old shape.