At 33 weeks I have managed to avoid the dreaded stretch marks thus far. Although I’m under no illusion that science and mother nature are working against me given that 9 out of 10 mums to be are destined to get them and the third trimester is the prime time for their unwelcome but almost inevitable appearance.
Even so, I have been a religious bump ‘oiler’ from week 6 (as soon as I found out I was pregnant to be exact) in an attempt to avoid or at least minimise the buggers. I do have a few on the tops of my thighs from some pretty rapid hip growth during puberty; they are now a faint whitish/silver and don’t bother me too much apart from the fact they are extra sensitive in the sun; the truth is, however, I would like to avoid them as much as I can, hence the bucket loads of oil I have applied most nights throughout my pregnancy.
Products I have used so far:
- Mamma Mio ‘The Tummy Rub Oil’
The Claim:
Help protect your tummy (boobs, hips and thighs) against the appearance of pregnancy stretch marks with our super-elasticising Omega-packed blend of organic oils. This is the gold standard in bump care.
My Verdict:
This has been the product I have used most consistently throughout my pregnancy and as a consequence I’ve now ploughed through almost two bottles of the stuff. It has a distinctive scent (which I like but best to check first with your pregnancy nose!) and is most definitely a night-time treatment owing to it’s generously thick consistency which take can take a while to sink into the skin. A great all rounder and seems to be doing it’s job so far…
- Clarins Tonic Body Treatment Oil
Clarins’ best selling firming body oil—with 100% pure and powerful plant extracts including Rosemary, Geranium and Mint making a healthy formula—helps firm, tone and improve elasticity, smoothing the appearance of stretch marks. Hazelnut Oil locks in moisture to leave body skin soft, satiny-smooth and elastic. Skin is prepared to face the strains of weight changes and stretching.
My Verdict:
This is my ‘treat’ treatment oil. I love the smell of Clarins tonic range but again I highly recommend you sniff before purchase; you’ll either love it or hate it. I haven’t used this one nearly as much as it was a gift and the bottle is quite small. Due to its more silky and absorbent consistency I tend to use this one in the mornings with the added bonus I can enjoy the scent all day. Leaves my bump feeling nicely hydrated and supple.
- Bio-Oil
The Claim:
Bio‑Oil should be massaged in a circular motion into the stretch marks, twice daily, for a minimum of 3 months. During pregnancy, it should be applied from the start of the second trimester to areas that are prone to stretch marks such as the abdomen, breasts, lower back, hips, buttocks and thighs.
Results will vary from individual to individual
My Verdict:
Having only used this when I have run out of Mamma Mio oil and possibly a handful of other occasions I can’t say too much about the effectiveness of Bio-Oil other than most of my mummy pals have used this one and profess it’s virtues on minimising the pigment in their already existing stretch marks. My only gripe with it is the scent, I’m not quite sure if I like it or not and it appears to be more ‘oily’ than the others which isn’t necessarily a bad thing.
4. Mamma Mio- ‘The Tummy Rub Butter.’
The Claim:
Help Protect your tummy (and boobs, hips and thighs) from pregnancy stretch marks with our super-elasticising Omega-packed blend of organic oils in an organic Shea Butter base.
My Verdict:
I used this as my morning tummy treatment but I certainly haven’t used it every morning- far from it- and tend to just use my normal lotion if anything at all. Smells exactly like the oil and has a lovely consistency which sinks in beautifully; but probably an unnecessary expense- if you want to moisturise twice a day then I’m sure your normal everyday lotion will suffice.
Only time will tell (7 weeks to be precise…) whether or not my efforts (and pennies) have been worth it. Something tells me it’s all in the DNA but just in case I’ll persevere…
Sidenote… Even if it has all been in vain; rubbing my baby bump after a long day is a treat with a limited time frame and I recommend that to all mums to be!
Edie & Me 