Pregnancy Stretch Marks: Solutions, $$ Saving Advice and a little INSPIRATION (From Mom to Mom)

You just got the joyous news that you are being given the most incredible gifts on the earth. The first trimester flies by, the second trimester is the best, and before you know it you’re at the final stretch. S-T-R-E-T-C-H. Exactly.

If you’re one of those women who managed to gain under 30 pounds, and within weeks looked like your old-self, feel free to close this blog and go thank your mother for your incredible genes. Seriously. You’re lucky as hell, and she’s to thank for it.

WHY I CHOSE THIS TOPIC

I wanted to share my experience because I will admit, I was devastated at first. So many of my friends with kids have zero stretch marks, meanwhile I’m covered on my tummy, hips and chest. Those friends that were blessed without stretch marks, didn’t do a quarter of my preventative measures. That’s when I discovered it’s all genetics and some things, you just need to accept!

Honestly, my cousin Natalia, who just had a baby less than 3 months ago, was my biggest inspiration for this article. I was feeling down about myself because summer was coming and at the time a two piece wasn’t an option. She pretty much told me to get my head out of my ass and to wear my two pieces. She had every intention of wearing hers and she could give a crap about her marks. She earned them. Almost instantly I thought, “god-damnit she’s right!”

NO, IM NOT A PROFESSIONAL

I’m not a dermatologist, and I’m sure that there are women who beat the odds that can disagree with me. But, since I wish I had listened to every other woman with stretch marks, I figure if I can at least save some of you some $ and maybe some shock of your post pregnancy body.

I did a ton of research on preventative measures and this is what I found/followed from the moment I entered my second trimester:

PRODUCTS I USED and my ROUTINE

RESEARCH- exfoliating with a very good scrub would allow the skin to shed dead cells and leave a clean slate for any oil or lotion you apply to soak right through the skin and help avoid tearing. I used Kiehls body exfoliator “coriander” ($22). I needed a new tube every month by month 3, total $132
RESEARCH- Pure Cocoa Butter, Bio Oil and Pure Coconut Oil seem to be the best for hydrating, so I made my own concoction with all 3, and applied 4 times a day. I needed refills every month so I would spend about $60 a month, starting with month, total $360.
HYPER-VIGILANT- I even would apply EVOO 3 times a week, along with a RICH body butter from Kiehls “ Crème de Corps”, ($48) which I had to buy 3 times over the duration of my pregnancy for a total of $144.

TOTAL COST ON STRETCH MARK “MIRACLES” $636

I won’t bore you with any more information; ultimately it was a giant waste of money. I had gained 50 pounds with my daughter starting with the 2nd trimester and either your skin can handle it, or it can’t. Buy yourself Palmers and keep your skin hydrated to avoid discomfort or itching and burning from the stretch…..$8.99 a month, for 6 months total $53.94

THE AFTERMATH CARE

I worked my behind off, and lost 50 pounds in 3 months. I nursed, I walked 4 miles a day and when it got cold, I used the elliptical or did 30 minutes of vigorous calisthenics (I will post an article on awesome post pregnancy work outs soon). All the hard work did not help the loose skin.

After 9 months passed and I was no longer nursing, I decided to give Strivectin a try ( $75). I used it 3 times a day for 3 months, and needed 1 refill, total $150. Personally, this did nothing for me. My stretch marks are none the finer or lighter than before. The only nice thing was is smelt like peppermint. That’s right, I enjoyed smelling like a candy cane.

EMBRACE IT

Not far back women were ashamed of their post-pregnancy body, but thankfully more and more women are posting their stretch marks on social media, proudly. Photographers are expanding their maternity shoots into post-maternity, with mommies aftermath belly exposed.

Girl, you GREW a human for 9 months. You are actively keeping that completely dependent human alive by nurturing them in every humanly way possible. You haven’t slept, or gone to the bathroom by yourself since the day before you had him/her. Look at those marks and see them as an accomplishment.

Wear that two piece bathing suit, rock that lingerie. It is what is, and what you did is AMAZING.

CLOSING THOUGHTS

Mostly, ignore your research and save your money. Want to know if you’re going to get stuck with stretch marks after a baby? Take a look the women your mother’s side of the family. Then take the hundreds of $’s you were going to spend and go buy yourself something that makes you feel beautiful in your new badass skin.