Preventing & Treating Stretch Marks During Pregnancy And Post Partum Recovery

I’m now 29 weeks along in my pregnancy (third trimester!) and I’m due Aug 24th. This will be my second child, but my first boy, so I’m pretty excited.

I went to see my midwife last night for my monthly appointment and both my midwife and the attending trainee commented on how fabulous my tummy looks. They said most of their clients come in with loads of stretch marks, or at the very least, super dry skin. “Your belly looks great! What products are you using to prevent stretch marks?” she asked.

I told her that I am using several different products in a rotation this time around. With my first pregnancy, I only used shea and cocoa butter and I was spared stretch marks on my belly, but I got them everywhere else… Butt, thighs (front and back), hips and waist line. They were very red and very deep.

I was determined to make sure I didn’t miss those areas this time and kept my belly well lubricated again so I wouldn’t get any new stretch marks.

I’ve been using Mederma Stretch Mark Therapy on my thighs and hips consistently for about 3 months now. I’m amazed at how my stretch marks are lighter, smoother and not nearly as visible. I’ll actually wear a bikini bathing suit bottom without running from the towel to the pool before being spotted!!

On my belly, at least twice daily, I’ve been using the following products:

Mama Mio Tummy Rub Stretch Mark Butter

This thick, rich body butter is chock-full of omegas and shea butter with wheat germ and borage oils to keep stretching skin hydrated and elastic. It quickly soaks into thirsty skin and relieves itchy belly syndrome. Use it twice daily as the belly grows and for 4 months after delivery to help regain skin tone as the tummy shrinks away.

I love ALL Mama Mio products and this one is no exception. The consistency is thick, but melts as soon as it hits your skin so you can massage it into your skin. I use this one all over my belly as well as wrapping around back onto my hips and love handles. This is my favorite tummy butter and believe me, I’ve tried LOTS!

Price: $35.00

Where: Amazon.com and MamaMio.com


Mama Mio Tummy Rub Stretch Mark Oil

Protection against stretch marks, 100% moisture and natural goodness, full of Omega 3, 6 and 9 – but it isn’t at all oily? Weird but true! Your thirsty skin immediately soaks up Tummy Rub Oil leaving it super soft with a protective sheen.

After 15 years of trials, Mama Mio definitely knows that this is the best stretch mark protection oil they can make. So it is no surprise to us that it has won a lot of awards and has been the subject of countless emails of thanks. I love using it because it smells great, for some reason it isn’t oily and soaks into skin quickly, gets rid of the infamous scratchy belly syndrome too. It’s one of my favorite stretch mark preventing belly oils!

Price: $35.00

Where: Amazon.com and MamaMio.com (Also comes in the Mama Mio Congratulations! Deluxe Pregnancy Skin Care Kit)


Mustela Stretch Marks Intensive Action

This one is said to help reduce size, depth and color of stretch marks, remodel skin support fibers (collagen and elastin) which have been affected by tissue distension, with the Elastoregulator®, Lupeol and a stimulating peptide. It’s also supposed to actively stimulate the skin cells and favors tissue regeneration, with AHA, silicium and vitamin B5.
And it may be used during breast-feeding (follow proper hygiene rules before breast fee
ding). Right now I’m using this one mostly on the underside of my belly to prevent stretch marks, though it’s primary function is to treat existing stretch marks. It’s a thick creamy serum that massages in really nicely and keeps skin moisturized for a long time. I think it’s similar in function to the Mederma Stretch Mark Therapy but a smaller container and thicker consistency. I haven’t used it long enough to determine if it “works” or not, but as a moisturizer, it’s quite nice!

Price: $39.00

Where: Amazon.com and Sephora.com


Earth Mama Angel Baby Natural Stretch Oil

Gwyneth Paltrow, who started going green when she had children, reportedly turned to Earth Mama Angel Baby’s Natural Stretch Oil during her pregnancies with kids Apple and Moses to prevent stretch marks from forming.

The oil is light, absorbs easily, and is hypoallergenic. The Stretch Oil formula relies on healing calendula, calming chamomile, Vitamin E, and borage and neroli oils to keep skin looking good and stretch mark-free. It’s lovely as a bath oil and perfect for perineal massage to help avoid tears and episiotomies during natural childbirth.

This oil is definitely oily but skin drinks this up quick. I love the smell and I love that it’s super natural as well. This is an affordable option for all moms to be that are looking for a good oil to slather on their growing bellies!

Price: 19.95

Where: Amazon.com and EarthMamaAngelBaby.com


Origins Gloomaway Grapefruit Body Souffle

This pregnancy has been totally different for me and one thing I’ve been totally addicted to is grapefruit. I eat grapefruit all day long, I drink grapefruit juice and grapefruit soda, I use grapefruit body mist, grapefruit lip balm, grapefruit body wash and of course, Origins Gloomaway Grapefruit body souffle.

They aren’t joking around when they calls this a souffle. It’s the most heavenly body cream I’ve ever used. Thick, sumptuous, divine. I slather this all over my pregnant belly as well as hips, thighs, legs, butt, back and arms. It smells so incredibly good that I wish they made fabric softener too so I could make my sheets smell like this. It comes in a huge jar, so this will last you a long time too!

Price: $27.50

Where: Origins.com and Beauty.com


All the products in this article are believed to be pregnancy safe and contain only natural ingredients and products. Please check with your midwife or health care provider if you are concerned about any particular ingredients.

* Some products in this article were provided to us free of charge for the purpose or product testing and review. This does not effect our opinion of the products in any way. We only write about products we personally like and use, regardless of how they were acquired.

Mederma Stretch Mark Therapy Giveaway *CLOSED*

Congratulations to our fabulous readers, Abby (#268), Kristin (#239) and Ruth (#51) for each winning 3 full size tubes of Mederma’s Stretch Mark Therapy cream.

Comment #268 #239 and #51 chosen by Random.org

Thank you to everyone who entered and a big thanks to Mederma for providing one of our readers with this fabulous prize! I hope everyone gets a chance to try Mederma Stretch Mark Therapy because it really works!!!!


I am ALL about finding things that help moms be fashionable and beautiful without breaking the bank. It’s like, my mission in life.

So with all the talk of celebs getting their bodies in shape right after popping out a kid, there has to be some hope for real moms out there – at an affordable price too! Guess what? There really is!!!! Introducing NEW Mederma Stretch Marks Therapy ($39.99)! No costly lasers or cosmetic procedures, just easy to find – at the drugstore, easy to use, affordable solution to stretch marks! And it works.

I’m giving my lovely readers a chance to win Mederma Stretch Mark Therapy! THREE readers will each win 3 full size tubes to try for themselves and I KNOW you’ll love this stuff and see results.

Three winners will be chosen. Each of the three winners will receive 3 full size tubes of Mederma’s Stretch Mark Therapy cream. Each tube contains approximately 1 month supply and is valued at $39.99 per tube. Prize value per person is around $120!

Be sure to use Mederma Stretch Mark Therapy cream TWICE daily for 4 weeks to see improvements and 12 weeks to achieve full results. Each winner will receive enough Mederma to achieve full results. So by the end of the summer, you won’t even remember how bad your stretch marks were. You’ll be looking at smoother, more even skin that will be make you feel GREAT!

Click here to read my review.



Visit mederma.com to learn more.

TO ENTER:

Leave a comment on this post and tell me where you have stretch marks OR what products you’ve tried to get rid of stretch marks.

Extra Optional Entries: (Leave 1 comment for each extra entry.)

(Note: You must leave 1 comment per entry. Comments MUST be left on this post in order to count! Extra entries will not be counted unless you leave a comment for each one.)

Details

Contest runs from June 7th till June 20th 2010. Last chance to enter is June 7th at 11:59pm ET. Winner will be chosen with random.org and notified by email on or before June 27th and asked for full name, along with their phone number. If no response is given within 48 hours, a different winner will be chosen, so please be sure to check your email. Must be 18 or older to enter. Contest open to USA!

Three winners will be chosen and contacted. Each winner will receive 3 full size tubes of Mederma. Each tube contains approximately 1 month supply and is valued at $39.99 per tube.

Prize will be provided and shipped directly by PR reps for Mederma.



Mama Mio Congratulations! Deluxe Pregnancy Skin Care Kit – A Must-Have For All Moms To Be

The Mama Mio Congratulations! Kit is the mother of all pregnancy skin care kits and an absolute must-have for all moms to be!

Going from having a flat tummy to pampering a baby bump can be hard on you emotionally and of course, physically. These three fabulous products make the 40 week journey a lot more pleasant.

The kit contains:

  • Tummy Rub Oil for award-winning stretch mark prevention 106ml/3.6 fl.oz
  • OMega Super-rich Body Cream a gorgeously fragrant moisturizer 200ml/6.8 fl.oz
  • OMega Shower Cream to cleanse and hydrate your skin. 300ml/10 fl.oz

I’ve been using all the products in the kit since the beginning of my second trimester and I’m now just entering the third trimester. I slather the Tummy Rub Stretch Mark Oil on my belly every single night before I go to bed and sometimes in the morning after I take a shower too. It’s performed excellently so far as I haven’t gotten a single stretch mark on my belly!

The Mama Mio OMega Super-rich Body Cream is fabulous for all the other areas that get stretched while you’re preggo like your love handles, thighs, butt and breasts. The scent is sensational and it’s rich and creamy without being heavy and greasy. It’s so heavenly that you’ll want to keep on using it long after you pop the baby out. I can’t imagine living without this one… Seriously.

I also love the OMega Moisturizing Shower Cream a LOT. It’s ideal for pregnancy because it was carefully created to maintain the moisture balance in your skin, unlike everyday products, which will strip away all of your moisturising efforts. It is oh-so-gentle and smells gorgeous. It has a low-lather formula using an extremely gentle cleanser (created for babies!) and is PH balanced suiting even the most sensitive skins. As you would expect from Mama Mio it is Sodium Laureth Sulfate free.

This is absolutely a must-have kit for ALL pregnant woman. If you are expecting, do yourself a favor and get this ASAP. And if you know someone who is sporting a baby bump, treat them to these heavenly products and they will surely appreciate it!

    PRICE: $55

I also recommend getting the OMega Body Oil as well. It’s a gorgeously fragrant blend of sink-in-quick oils including a mix of Argan, Safflower, Sweet Almond and Jojoba oils to smooth your body all over.

It’s quick to apply, keeps your skin nourished, firm, elastic and glowing. 100% pure natural moisture for 100% fit skin. An un-oily oil that is just amazing! This is a totally addictive product that will become a year-round essential in your bathroom cabinet.

Read my full review here.

Free Shipping at Motherhood.com for 2 Days ONLY!

Free Shipping on orders over $75 at Motherhood Maternity including Heidi Klum’s latest summer fashions!!! Click here and use code MHFS05010 to get discount! (offer valid 5.18.2010 to 5.20.2010)

I just bought the following items…


Loved By Heidi Klum Short Sleeve Scoop Neck Babydoll Maternity Shirt $29.98



Loved By Heidi Klum Short Sleeve Scoop Neck Burnout Maternity T Shirt $24.98



Loved By Heidi Klum Pull On Style Full Length Stretch Fabric Maternity Skirt $29.98



Loved By Heidi Klum Sleeveless Scoop Neck Maternity Tank Top $12.98

Get Rid of Stretch Marks with Mederma Stretch Mark Therapy – Great for Pregnancy!

We all have stretch marks. Okay, maybe not ALL of us, but 85% of women in the U.S. have stretch marks. That’s a LOT of women and a lot of stretch marks. Why the heck haven’t they figured out how to PREVENT them from happening?

Well I guess they are working on that… Meanwhile, we have Mederma Stretch Marks Therapy Advanced Cream Formula – the home remedy for stretch mark removal.

Mederma sent me a tube of their new stretch mark cream to try out and review. I’ve been using it for about 4 weeks now and I must say that out of all the lotions and creams I’ve used to supposedly help improve the appearance of stretch marks, this is the first product that I’ve actually seen results with. Albeit not amazing, jaw dropping results… but with the deep, obvious stretch marks I have on my thighs for my last pregnancy, I am pretty amazed that anything would make a difference AT ALL.

It says to use it every morning and every night for 4 weeks to see results. Use for a full 11 weeks to see FULL, dramatic results.

Like I said, I’ve been using it for about 4 weeks now and I can see a small difference. The biggest difference is that they somehow aren’t as lumpy and bumpy. Before, rubbing lotion or cream on those stretch marks felt like a washboard. Now it feels much smoother. Appearance wise, I can’t really tell. I didn’t take before and after pictures to compare, so it’s hard to tell. I’m hoping it will be obvious after 11 weeks of using it.

I am only using it on the upper front portion of thighs. The stretch marks are very deep an obvious and the only stretch marks I can’t really hide when wearing a swimsuit or short shorts. I have stretch marks on my hips and butt too, but I wanted to start working on the most obvious ones first. If this product actually works and gives dramatic results, I will definitely buy more and do the other 2 areas!!!!

I’ll post again when I am done with the tube OR after I’ve used it for 11 weeks, whichever comes first, and let you know if this product is worth purchasing. So far, I would say YES because it’s actually changed the texture of my stretch marks. I’m hoping it lightens the appearance more so I can wear a swimsuit with confidence.

You can find this at Drugstore.com and Amazon.com
for $39.99

Click here to download a coupon for $4 off!

Pregnancy Safe Body Wash & Natural Stretch Mark Oil

Pregnancy is not only a time to pamper yourself, but a time to make sure you are only using the natural and safest products possible on your skin.

Take extra precaution to avoid body washes and soaps that contain Sodium Laureth Sulfate.

It’s a little known fact that soaps and shampoos contain sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) and sodium laureth sulfate (SLES) are exactly the same chemicals you’ll find in the dish soap you use to degrease your dirty dishes… In the same way as it dissolves the grease on fry pans, sodium lauryl sulfate also dissolves the good and natural oils on your skin and scalp, which can leave you with dry itchy skin.

People who frequently use products containing SLS or SLES can end up with chronic dry skin. While SLES doesn’t cause cancer like some rumors have stated, it still isn’t the best thing you can be putting on your skin. This is why many companies are now making sulfate-free products. Take for instance the recently introduced EverPure Sulfate-Free Color Care System from L’Oreal.

The truth of the matter is, 90% of shampoos and body washes contain these ingredients so you have to read your labels carefully!!!!!

If you don’t have a lot of time to research every product in your bathroom, it’s best to purchase products from a trusted company like Earth Mama Angel Baby.

[Read more...]

Ingrid and Isabel – Comfortable and Fashionable Clothing for Maternity and Beyond!

Pregnancy is probably one of the most uncomfortable experiences you will endure as a woman. Whether it’s the morning sickness, cravings and cramps during the first trimester, to not being able to find a position you can actually sleep in the last month of your pregnancy, the whole 9 months are less than pleasant for most of us. Any small amount of pampering or comfort is enough to get you through the day.

One of the things that hit me when I found out that I was pregnant with my second child, is the sudden realization that I had to say goodbye to all my gorgeous, fashionable clothes and go down in the basement to find the box of not-so-fashionable maternity clothes I had saved from my first pregnancy. I sat and cried at the thought!

I made a decision right then and there that I wasn’t going to skimp on style OR comfort this time around. I’d rather have one $50 shirt that is comfortable and stylish than five $10 shirts that are sorta kinda stylish, borderline not ugly, and don’t fit properly.

In my quest to find fashionable maternity clothes that were actually comfortable, I came across something that would help me fit into my favorite non-maternity jeans for a couple more months. Ingrid and Isabel offer what they call the BellaBand, a spandex belly band or tummy tube of sorts, that hold up your unbuttoned pre-pregnancy jeans or your too-big maternity pants! Hello… life saver!

Ingrid & Isabel Maternity Lace Trim BellaBand

Ingrid and Isabel were kind enough to send me a BellaBand in black and I’ve been wearing it with my Current/Elliott Boyfriend Jeans that were too big for me pre-pregnancy and now fit great if held up with the BellaBand. I’m one stylish preggo chick! hehe

Another item I got to try from Ingrid and Isabel is their fabulous Everyday Maternity Camisole in white.

Ingrid & Isabel Everyday Maternity Camisole

I absolutely love it and wear it almost every single day under whatever I’m wearing. It’s stretchy, comfortable, soft and protects my sensitive stretching skin from whatever other materials might want to irritate it. I actually loved this camisole so much, that I just bought one in black on BareNecessities.com so I would be able to wear one of them at all times, even if the other one is in the wash.

Seriously my favorite maternity item EVER. I really wish I had one of the camisoles with my last pregnancy.

And while writing this post, I discovered I can also get the cami in BROWN! I’m off to buy that right now…