Let’s talk about stretch cream
I can’t believe I still haven’t written about how I told my mom about the little nugget, since it really is an interesting/random story.
It was about 4 days after I found out and the Pilot and I decided it would be a good idea to tell the madre since she was here, he was not, and just in case I really needed her.
One night I was over at her house hanging out and she said “I’m going to take the alley dog some food.” It was 10pm and my mom was packing up a chipotle burrito container with dog food and chicken and grabbed a bottle of water plus another disposable bowl to use as a water dish. That’s the type of person my mom is… wanting to go take a dog she had seen in the alley some dinner, 10 o’clock at night. Since I wasn’t about to let the madre go traipsing around in the alleys at night by herself, I told her I’d drive her.
We drove three streets down, and down the alley where she’d seen the dog while driving earlier that day, and she left the food and water dish there. When she got back in the car, I started to tell her the news as we drove back.
“I have something to tell you but you have to promise not to tell anyone and I’m pretty sure you know already.” [My mom has supreme mom psychic abilities]
“Ok I promise. What?”
“We’re going to have a baby.”
The squeal that she made was the damn cutest thing I’ve ever heard. She was so excited.
“Mom, you can’t tell anyone! And not the family because everyone will know and I’m scared something will happen.”
She went on to hug me and assure me that everything would be fine, asked how I was feeling, how I found out, how I told Tom, and kept telling me she couldn’t wait to have a little baby to make a varullo (big fuss) over.
I was instantly so glad I told her and it made me even more excited about what was going on, which I didn’t think was possible.
A few days later, I was over at her house after work, lying in her bed because the fatigue had started to hit me like a mofo, and she walked in and said: “How are you feeling?”
Me: “Good. My hips hurt and I’m tired though.”
Madre: “Have you bought stretch cream yet?”
This is already hilarious because that’s exactly the type of thing my mom would warn me about, but even more hilarious because I’d not only stashed up on one bottle, but three, by that point.
(the other bottle was taken by airport security)
After crying tears of joy on and off the day I found out and scoping out designer diaper bags, I went on a mission for stretch cream. I have stretch marks already on my thighs from the weight I lost back in the day, but I’m kind of proud of them. My body changed quickly and that’s what happened- kind of like battle wounds 😉 On the other hand, when I have a baby I don’t need stretch marks to prove it. I’ll have, um, a baby to prove it. Haha.
Ever since I found out the news, I’ve been even more careful with the ingredients in my skincare and lotion, since skin absorbs the ingredients and chemicals that are included. I’ll read the ingredients and check for a few things: sulfates, parabens and anything with “eth” at the end of the word. While it’s debatable how much is actually absorbed into the skin and bloodstream and how much it would affect things, I’d rather just err on the safe side.
My first stretch mark prevention weapon was from Whole Foods, since I knew it would be easy to find something that fit the bill.
While the price tag was fantastic ($16), I wasn’t a huge fan of the product. It was thick, oily and greasy. The smell was mild and not too bad, but I used it for only a couple of nights until I moved onto this:
L’Occitane Supple Skin Oil. While it’s pricey ($34), it’s incredible. The smell is heavenly (like almonds- the Pilot asked what perfume I was wearing when I crawled into bed) and my skin actually absorbs the oil, so I feel like it must work better. I have to give a huge shout out to the girls at Sephora because when I told them I was expecting and looking for an awesome, natural stretch mark prevention option, all of the moms in the group raved about this one. They also said they have a client that has had three children and picked up a bottle during her pregnancy for each child. I also like that the box has instructions on how to rub in the oil to best prevent stretch marks.
I also used raw shea butter for a few nights (which was stolen by airport security when I went to Vegas- I wasn’t about to bring any of the oils with me and have them explode in my suitcase), it was more of a hassle than anything. Its the most pure and natural option (and very inexpensive- $7), but heating it up with my hands to rub it in + the stank smell on an already sensitive nose wasn’t going to work.
So there’s my stretch mark cream story 🙂 I’ll definitely be sticking with the supple skin oil for now.
76 Comments
Leave a Comment
This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.
You can usually tell if you’ll get stretch marks if your mom got them with you. The creams don’t really work in my opinion. Also in terms of diaper bags…I know it’s kinda dorky but in the beginning a diaper backpack works WONDERS! it attaches to your stroller and is way easier to use. I got a kate Spade diaper bag and did not use it once 🙁 Also with a back pack your husband can carry it and not feel like a dork 🙂 xoxo
I am pregnant with my first baby right now too, 21 weeks! I’ve been keeping up with your blog for a very long time now and I’m so excited that not only will I continue to get awesome eating/fitness tips, but “soon to be mommy” tips too!! I have read a lot about the stretch mark business and everything says your genes determine whether you’ll have them or not, but I still slather on the stretch mark cream after EVERY shower. I am SO excited to find out about the L’Occitane, I am definitely going to try it out on my little baby belly. This is the most incredible experience in the whole world, everything about it is so amazing and I can’t wait until you get to feel your little one move around in there. Congratulations, I am SO excited for you and the pilot. Keep these posts a comin’! 🙂
I’m loving Spoiled Mommy tummy butter! It’s so thick and no stretch marks yet! (27 weeks and counting)
Aaw sweet story about telling your mama. I used Palmers cocoa butter with both of my pregnancies. I loved the smell of it & got no stretch marks despite gaining about 30 lbs each time.
I just heard NOT to use cocoa butter because it has a very high caffeine content and it can cause heart arrhythmias in the fetus. Not sure if it’s true but I heard it from a doctor! Too bad because it smells great and is a great moisturizer!
As a mommy of three…I would totally suggest…olive oil. Yep. Olive oil. My wonderful Mommy
Suggested it when in was preggers with the third. I added a little lavender oil and bam!
The best thing ever! I have used all the stretch creams with poor results. Since using olive oil ( yes, I still use it) my skin has totally changed. It is a miracle tonic…not even kidding you. Try it out:)
awesome! is it greasy at all?
With regards to stretch marks, a lot of it is just genetics. Unfortunately, most creams don’t work. If your mom had them chances are you may too. So I feel it’s not worth dishing out a lot of money on expensive creams. Having said that, you can minimize stretch marks by keeping the skin moisturized and in this respect something inexpensive like cocoa butter suffices. It is safe to use in pregnancy.
It’s funny, one of my mother’s first questions after finding out about my pregnancy was also if I had bought any stretch mark cream! FYI, I used cocoa butter throughout my pregnancy and thankfully no stretch marks with this pregnancy. Who knows what will happen in later pregnancies though…
Diaper bags: Check out Rebecca Minkoff and Kate Spade!
I gotta admit Gina…if you’re gonna get’em, you’re gonna get’em. I used loads of creams, body butters, etc and still got them. But they are badges of honour!! 🙂
I just bought the oil from l’occitane also, after reading that it was the best for stretch marks on several websites. I also read that in general moisturizing like crazy and staying hydrated will help prevent them!
Every couple weeks I’ll pop over and catch up on your blog. I couldn’t have been more excited for you when I read that you’re expecting. I too had some stretch marks on my hips (from growing) pre pregnancy and was not interested in getting new ones! I lubed up my belly day and night and it looks just as good as it did pre baby. Good luck!
FYI – I used to work at L’Occitane and they have an organic Mom & Baby line (they don’t carry it at Sephora, only in their actual stores or online) and they have a mom & baby cream that you can use on yourself to prevent stretch marks and then on the baby when it’s born to prevent/cure diaper rash.
oohh good to know! i’ll visit the actual store- we have one here
Hi Gina!
I was wondering if you could help me out! My bridesmaid (i’m getting married in 2 weeks) is 12 weeks along and i cannot think of anything to get her! SHould I get her baby related stuff like tshirt with foot prints ? or what? I dont know… Or maybe a combination of things? some for her now, some for her later?
any input would be great, thank you!
christy