When do you start to get stretch marks during pregnancy

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Stretch marks are narrow pink to purple streak-like lines that can develop on the surface of the skin. They usually appear on your stomach or sometimes on your upper thighs or breasts as your pregnancy progresses. The first sign you notice might be itchiness around an area where the skin is becoming thin and pink.

Anyone can develop stretch marks, they don’t just affect pregnant women. They can happen whenever the skin is stretched, such as when we’re growing during puberty, or when we gain or lose weight.

You are more likely to develop stretch marks in the last 3 months of your pregnancy as the skin on your stomach stretches to make room for your growing baby.

It’s not always possible to prevent stretch marks, but you are more likely to get stretch marks if your weight gain is more than average during your pregnancy. Most women gain between 11kg and 16kg in pregnancy, although weight gain varies a great deal from woman to woman. If you are worried about your weight, talk to your midwife or doctor.

Stretch marks are not harmful. They don't cause medical problems, and there's usually no need to see your doctor because there isn't a specific treatment for them. Over time, your skin will shrink and most stretch marks will fade to white over time.

Some creams claim to remove stretch marks once they've appeared, but there is no reliable evidence that they work. There is also limited evidence on whether oils or creams help to prevent stretch marks from appearing in the first place.

Laser therapy can't completely remove stretch marks, but it may help fade them.

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Last reviewed: January 2020

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This post on how to prevent stretch marks during pregnancy was originally published in May 2019 and updated in January 2022.

One of the dreaded pregnancy symptoms doesn’t attack your digestion, your sleep, or even your muscle groups.

Instead, this one targets your sense of vanity - stretch marks!

Many women keep a very close eye on their growing belly for these telltale signs of advancing pregnancy.  We’re here to help you understand the cause, and find some solutions (if you can) to advancing your tiger stripes!

What causes stretch marks during pregnancy?

After searching in exasperation for clues, doctors have focused in on - you’ve guessed it! - hormones!  The multitude of hormonal changes in pregnancy can lead to excess fluid retention in the skin.  When this occurs, the collagen that bonds the fibers of the skin (and makes for that taut, buoyant effect many women seek in advancing age) relaxes.  The skin that is stretched and given more applied pressure as the belly, breasts, hips and more grow isn’t given enough time to support itself and tears, causing a stretch mark.

When do stretch marks appear during pregnancy?


Stretch marks start to appear for a majority of pregnant women who are predisposed to them during their late second and third trimester.  A lucky group will escape a great many of them until the very tail end of their pregnancy, while some will avoid them altogether! 

Try as you want to, those who have a genetic predisposition to stretch marks probably will still spot them in the mirror during pregnancy.  However, there are a few things you can do to try and avoid a whole crop come delivery day.  

3 Top Tips for Preventing Stretch Marks in Pregnancy

Moisturize

Slathering your growing belly, hips and breasts with a collagen rich and vitamin rich body oil can help the skin as it grows to keep strong bonds and help with the cross of fluids across the epidermis. BioOil is a favorite among many who already deal with stretch marks!

Up Your Vitamin C

Vitamin C is great for many things, and has been tied to assisting the skin in its job of staying strong and healthy, so grab that glass of orange juice and check your prenatal vitamin for a good healthy dose!

Avoid Rapid Weight Gain

While weight will creep on during pregnancy at a much faster rate due to the growth of baby and necessary assistance of other organs and fluids, trying to avoid a burst in your weight gain bubble will help your skin adjust to the new changes gradually.  Sudden onset of additional weight can cause more tearing.

Your stretch marks may seem unsightly to you, but at the end of pregnancy when your baby is in your arms, you might be able to see the beauty in their appearance as a sign and indication that you became a mother.  Wear them like a badge of honor and know that they will fade over time with the same care you gave them!

Where do stretch marks appear first during pregnancy?

They usually appear on your tummy, or sometimes on your upper thighs and breasts, as your pregnancy progresses and your bump starts to grow. When stretch marks appear will be different from woman to woman. The first sign you notice might be itchiness around an area where the skin is becoming thinner.

Can you prevent stretch marks in pregnancy?

How can I prevent stretch marks? Staying hydrated, eating a balanced diet, and getting regular exercise may help prevent stretch marks caused by sudden weight gain or loss, even during pregnancy.

Do stretch marks appear suddenly in pregnancy?

Every pregnancy and body is different, but stretch marks are most likely appear sometime in the second half of your pregnancy. At this point, your baby bump starts to grow bigger and more quickly, putting further stress on the skin.

What do early pregnancy stretch marks look like?

New stretch marks are bright pink, red, blue, black or purple. Older stretch marks fade. Stretch marks (striae) are indented streaks that appear on the abdomen, breasts, hips, buttocks or other places on the body. They're common in pregnant women, especially during the last trimester.