Stretch marks are something that many many women are keen to avoid in pregnancy and there are a number of ways we can support the integrity of the skin to minimise their presence. Stretch marks in themselves are not harmful to us and could be seen as a beautiful testament to our journey to motherhood but, for better or for worse, we live in a culture where the archetype of the ‘maiden’ is held up as the ideal of beauty and most of us are not keen to loose it too quickly. Leaving aside such philosophical debate, in this post I hope to share some information with you about what stretch marks are and how we can help to prevent them, as well as sharing some nice recipes for bump balms and oil blends that you can make up at home.
Stretch marks, or striae, occur in somewhere between 50 and 80% of women during pregnancy, depending on which sources you believe, and result from a tearing of the dermis. This is the middle layer of the skin which is made up of connective tissue and contains collagen and elastin fibers which help the skin to stretch and heal. The tears leave scars which appear purple or red to begin with but usually fade to silvery white. Our skin is designed to be able to stretch and if there is adequate support in the dermis then marks will not occur.
Despite youth being on their side, stretch marks are most likely to appear in teenage mums, possibly because of the hormonal changes that are already going on in their bodies. Steroid hormones called glucocorticoids limit the production of collagen and elastin leaving skin more likely to tear as it becomes less elastic. This is why stretch marks can also occur as a side effect of prolonged use of steroid creams.
Many books and websites claim that whether or not you get stretch marks is entirely genetic and no amount of applying creams or oils will make any difference. This is not completely accurate as, though genetics do play an important role, the few studies done have shown that topical application does help to prevent stretch marks occurring. A German study found that one third of women using a specially formulated cream developed stretch marks as opposed to two thirds in the control group and in one review, two studies were compared and both showed beneficial results. The conclusion was, “stretch marks may be prevented in some women by daily massage but it is unclear if any particular ingredients bring special benefits.” You can read the full review here if you so wish.
Luckily there are foods, herbs, base oils and essential oils which all help to prevent stretch marks and aid in keeping skin supple and supported.
Two of the most important herbs used to prevent stretch marks are calendula (Calendula officinalis) and gotu kola (Centella asiatica). These can both be used in massage as herbal infused oils. Antioxidant rich herbs such as hawthorn, elderberry and bilberry are useful in preventing the breakdown of collagen and these can be taken in teas whilst other deeply coloured berries can be enjoyed as part of the diet. Vitamin C is an important co-factor in collagen production and is found in peppers, tomatoes, dark green leafy veg, berries and many other fruits. Anyone pregnant at this time of year is in luck as rosehips are abundant in Vitamin C as well as abundant in the hedgerows right now. Adequate protein intake is also very important.
Bump Rub Recipes and Ingredients:
Here are two simple recipes that you can make up with a variety of different ingredients to suit yourself. First I’ll give the basic outline of the recipe and then a list of possible options below. In the past many people have asked me if they can substitute some of the ingredients in a recipe for others so hopefully this will show you some of the many possibilities. Of course there are many more base oils that you could use but these are the ones I have found to be most useful.
Mama’s Bump Rub Massage Oil:
Massaging your abdomen is such a beautiful way to connect with your own body and your growing baby and is the perfect opportunity to send love to you both.
To make 100ml:
40 mls light oil such as jojoba (or substitute any of the light oils listed below)
30 mls macerated oil such as calendula
20 mls rich oil such as rosehip and/ or avocado (or substitute any of the rich oils listed below)
7 ml GLA rich oil – borage or evening primrose
2.5 mls vitamin E Oil
0.5 ml Essential oil – optional. (Usually this works out to be about 15 drops per 100ml though this depends on the size of the dropper in the bottle. It is always wise to measure essential oils in a pipette until you get to know how much your droppers dispense.)
Mix all ingredients together and bottle. Massage onto abdomen hips and breasts once or twice a day.
Mama’s Belly Butter:
22ml light oil such as jojoba (or substitute any of the light oils listed below)
20 ml herbal macerated oil such as calendula
20 ml rich oil such as rosehip and/ or hemp seed (or substitute any of the rich oils listed below)
30 g Shea Butter (or any of the butters listed below)
5 g beeswax or candellia wax
2.5 ml vitamin E oil
0.5 ml Essential oil – optional
This makes for a rich balm so only a small amount is needed but it’s very nourishing and one I really enjoy using.
Melt the butters in a bain marie then add the liquid oils in a slow drizzle until fully incorporated. Let cool a little but not enough to begin setting then add the vitamin E oil and essential oils. Mix well, pour into jars and allow to set fully before using.
Variations:
One tip when choosing base oils is to check for the smell as some high quality oils will have a strong smell of nuts or seeds. If so make sure to mix small quantities with other oils that don’t smell so strongly otherwise you will mask the aroma of the essential oils as they are in a low dilution. Be aware that no oil should ever smell off or rancid however.
Rich Oils: These oils are particularly nourishing and high in nutrients that can literally work to feed the skin. They have a thick texture however which is why I always recommend mixing them with lighter oils. Rich oils that would be particularly nice in a bump rub include avocado, rosehip, macadamia nut, hemp seed and wheatgerm.
GLA rich oils: Evening primrose or borage both contain high levels of GLAs and are a useful addition to a bump rub in small quantities. Make sure you buy these oils very fresh as they have a shelf life of only six months. It is always wise to store them in the fridge before use.
Light Oils: Jojoba, apricot, almond, hazelnut or grapeseed (refined) would all work well as lighter oils to make your finished product easier to apply. They also contain many nutrients of their own.
Macerated Oils: herbal infused oils such as calendula or gotu kola are the obvious ones to go for but chamomile, lavender or rose would also be lovely choices here.
Butters: Coconut, cacao, shea or mango butter are all lovely on the skin. Choose coconut or mango if you want something lighter, cacao for a firmer texture and shea for a creamy feel.
Essential Oils: Many essential oils are best avoided during pregnancy until the birth itself when they can play an important role. However there are several that are very safe and fine to use from your second trimester on in low percentages like in this recipe. For these rubs I would stick to one or a combination of the following oils; mandarin, neroli, tangerine, lavender and ylang ylang. If you want something refreshing I would use mandarin and tangerine or something more relaxing for the evening could perhaps contain lavender and neroli. Ylang ylang gives a beautiful floral and exotic smell. Neroli is a very expensive essential oil but it is prized for it’s regenerative abilities so is ideal in preventing stretch marks.
Do leave a comment below if you have any queries or anything I have said is unclear.
Happy bump massaging!
Hi Lucinda,
Such a lovely, inspiring idea to create your own Stretch Mark prevention cream, as it allows for choice and unique combinations.
i will pass this on to Homebirth group and Mamababy mumas as a fun creative thing to encourage. Womens seem to come in contact with their creativity more in pregnancy.
In fact i fancy making some for myself to nourish my grandma belly ! This applied with Maya abdominal massage would be a way to honor and remember this sacred and powerful female body.
Best wishes,
Suisan
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Hi Susan,
Yes there is no reason that it can’t be used and enjoyed by everyone!
Self massage is such a good way to take time to care and nurture ourselves.
Take good care,
Lucinda
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Great post 🙂
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Thanks Kitty!
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Such a wealth of information here to ponder! And as always, written with such passion and deep understanding. The recipes are lovely as well and now I am inspired about the rosehips too – I’ve just been out last weekend collecting hawthorn berries to make your hawthorn-ginger syrup, which is most delicious by the way. I shall have to bookmark this for future!
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Thanks Danielle. 🙂 The rosehips are just perfect now and so full of goodness, the only downside being they take an age to prepare!
I’m glad you are enjoying the hawthorn and ginger! xxx
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Lovely recipes, Lucinda. Love your oil and eo choices. What memories! I remember when I was pregnant with each of my children, I was determined to escape without stretch marks and just slathered lotion from my breasts to mid thigh every time I had to go to the bathroom. And I did succeed, not one mark! Love the fact you have included good food choices to help with this also. Nice sharing dear one. Lots of love xx
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Thank you Leslie,
That is good to hear it worked well for you. Keeping the skin supple seems like a very good idea to me, even if there are other factors involved. I might follow your advice and put a bottle of oil in the bathroom for regular applications. 🙂
Lots of love xxx
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Interesting topic. I wonder if horse chestnut would go well with that given its skin effects?
Michael
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Well horse chestnut would certainly be lovely and toning so would be great as a leg rub in pregnancy. I would be tempted to stick with the more nourishing oils for the belly I think as it is more the added suppleness and nutrients I would be after. Let me know if you try it out on anyone though!
I know this isn’t what you are suggesting but incase anyone else is reading this then do avoid internal use of horse chestnut during pregnancy unless working with a herbalist as it is a strongly acting herb.
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Yup. Definitely NOT internally when pregnant and only internally working with an herbalist.
Heck personally I am only really interested in its nifty external skin stuff. 🙂
Michael
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Great post! Thanks for sharing 🙂
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Yes, do. Then it is right there and ready to be used whenever one finds themselves going to strip down a bit anyway:) Handy!! xxx love to you!
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Hi! Can you email me please. I’d like to ask you a few questions.
I LOVE your blog! I especially love your beautiful photos. Thanks!
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Hi Jennifer, I don’t have access to your email address but feel free to post questions here if you think others would benefit from them or you can email me on whisperingearth@gmail.com if it is more personal. All the best.
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I saw that you named quite a few substitutions for light oils. I don’t happen to have any of those and it’s the only ingredient I’m missing to make the belly butter. I do have red raspberry seed oil (cold pressed), would I be able to substitute that or should I make a run to the store? Thank you so much for these wonderful recipes!
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Sorry this is such a delayed reply, I’m guessing you have made your bump rub already but incase you haven’t, then I would use the raspberry seed and just use a bit less of the heavier oils. 🙂
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im carrying 5mnths now n tis is very useful tip. Defenitely gonna try it. Thnx
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Is Gotu Kola safe to use as a stretch mark prevention oil during pregnancy?
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Gotu kola infused oil is fine. If you are buying it though check to make sure it doesn’t have other ingredients in.
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Hello, I love this recipe. I want to make it for my little sister! 👩❤️👩 however when I went to buy the borage and evening primrose oils it says they aren’t recommended during pregnancy! As they can cause uterine contractions. Is that only internal use? I really don’t want to cause her any problems. Thank you for your advice. 😅
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Hi Louise, so sorry for the delayed reply, I expect I’m a bit late to be of use now! It is only internally that you would need to worry about these oils. External use in small percentages like this is fine. 🙂
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I’ve had dermalmd stretch mark serum for a week and I’m already seeing my purple stretch marks lighten! I tried a different product while I was pregnant and shortly after and it did nothing. Wish I would have started this earlier!!
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