Pregnancy after Stillbirth Community Group

Coping with pregnancy after stillbirth

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michaelamommy 11/21/2010

I was curious about what brands of skin care products you ladies are using during your pregnancy, especially for stretch mark prevention and body lotion. I am not comfortable using just any body lotion when pregz because of the chemicals in them. I know they get absorbed into our skin and they enter our bloodstream so I try to use natural products especially for pregnancy. I am very scared to use the stretch mark cream I used during my last preganncy because we know how that ended up. I'm not blaming the cream for my baby's loss, I'm just paranoid now.
You guys are going to think I'm crazy but I can taste any lotion I put on my body and it's worse when I'm pregnant. If I apply sunblock, I can taste it in my mouth within minutes. I got a lavender scented lotion for my birthday, tried it a few times, and I swear I felt like I just poured some in my mouth. If I can taste it, then its in my system and I don't want it finding its way to my little bean.

Any advice would be great. I have very dry skin so going without lotion will not be pleasant.. Thanks,
Amanda

deleted_user 11/21/2010

I use Mustela Stretch Mark Cream. I got it through Sephora.com. It's supposed to be all natural ingredients. It was a little pricey ($39) but I like it. I have no idea if it actually prevents stretch marks, this is the first pregnancy I am using it and I have some leftover "stripes" from my previous 3 pregnancies.

deleted_user 11/22/2010

I have decided to accept my stretch marks as a "badge of honor". There really is nothing proven to work for them. From what I have read it really is all in your genetics. I do notice that they fade over time, but it does take a very long time! My older kids are ages 12-20 and, before I became pregnant with Gabriel, they weren't as noticeable.

deleted_user 11/22/2010

I am using Bio Oil. My belly is really itchy so it helps with keeping it moisturized. Dont know if it helps with Stretch Marks so we will see. I used cocoa butter last time but it didnt moisturize as well

deleted_user 11/22/2010

It never occurred to me to use stretch mark cream. I find it hard to believe that stretch mark cream can prevent stretch marks -- I think it's no different than using body lotion. But what do I know?

For body lotion, I use Alba Botanical. (Found in Whole Foods. Whole Foods sells a lot of lotions that are chemical-free.) For soap, I use Dr. Bronner's Magic Soap (peppermint) -- which is 100% vegan -- and has no chemicals.

It probably makes no difference if you use regular soap/lotion or not. I'm merely being overly cautious and paranoid for no particular reason. IT makes me feel better knowing that I'm trying to make a difference for myself and the baby (even if it really makes no difference) --- if that makes any sense.

deleted_user 11/22/2010

I haven't bothered with the stretch mark cream because it never worked for me in the past. For the itchy skin, I use lotion for sensitive skin or baby lotion. Anything by Aveeno is usually good too.

michaelamommy 11/22/2010

I used an Italian stretch mark cream with my 6 year old and got NO stretch marks at all, but they don't sell it in the states anymore. Last pregnancy I used the Mama Bee products (I won't use them again) and didn't get stretch marks either. I know I am prone to strech marks though because all the females in my family have huge dark ones and I have a lot on my legs, low back, and arms from when I gained alot of weight in my early twenties. I'm trying to keep my belly stretch mark free if possible!

deleted_user 11/22/2010

With my daughter I got tons, I was told by a nurse at my daughter peds office to use Vitamin E liquid caplets and open them. It has helped fade the ones I have, whether its prevent new ones not sure. With my angel I didn't get really big, since we lost him at 23wks. But with our rainbow its working nicely. I buy the cheap liquid filled Vitamin E, squeeze them open and let the liquid run over my belly then rub it in. It's a little time consuming, but I usually do it before bed. My almost 3 yr old is sleeping and I can have a few mins to relax, put my feet up and savory the remaining wks of my little man rolling and kicking me before he enters this world Jan 6th!

deleted_user 11/25/2010

Burt's Bees Mama Bee Belly Balm!!
I used this for itchiness :) It probably helps with stretch marks too though.

deleted_user 11/25/2010

I used lotion and body butter last time...religiously!! Sometimes twice a day. And I didn't get any. I only went to 31 weeks. BUT after my milk came in I got a small one on my boob but I don't know where it is now because I can't find it. This time I am doing the same thing and hoping it works.

deleted_user 12/01/2010

I used Palmer's body butter twice a day during my first pregnancy & the beginning of my second. The belly butter didn't make me feel hydrated so I just used the regular body butter (it's in a tub container by the african-american hair care products at Walmarts). Fortunately I found out stretch marks don't run in my family so I just opted for Gold Bond lotions after awhile during the 2nd pregnancy though.

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