Stretch marks: can you prevent them?

Stretch marks are one of the most talked-about (and worried-about) parts of pregnancy, so let’s be honest and clear about them. They’re incredibly common — the majority of pregnant women get them — and they’re completely harmless. They appear as streaks or lines on the skin, often on the belly, breasts, hips, bottom or thighs, usually in the second half of pregnancy as your skin stretches to accommodate your growing bump and body.

When they’re new, stretch marks are often pink, red, purple or brown (depending on your skin tone) and can feel slightly itchy or raised. Over time, and especially after birth, they typically fade to lighter, silvery lines and become much less noticeable — though they don’t usually disappear entirely. They’re essentially small tears in the supportive layer of your skin, and how prone you are to them is largely down to genetics (if your mother had them, you’re more likely to) and how quickly and how much your skin stretches.

Now, the big question: can you prevent them? The honest answer is not really. Despite the huge market of creams, oils and butters marketed for it, there’s no strong evidence that any product prevents stretch marks. So please don’t spend a fortune, and definitely don’t feel you’ve “failed” or done something wrong if you get them — you almost certainly couldn’t have stopped them.

What moisturising can do is help with the itch as your skin stretches, which is a genuine comfort. A simple, fragrance-free moisturiser, massaged in gently, keeps the skin supple and soothes that tight, itchy feeling — so use one if it feels nice, just without the expectation that it’s preventing marks. Staying hydrated and eating well support your skin’s general health too, and gaining weight at a steady, healthy pace (rather than very rapidly) may make a small difference.

One thing worth flagging: while a bit of itching from stretching skin is normal, intense itching — particularly on your palms and the soles of your feet, especially later in pregnancy — should be mentioned to your midwife or GP, as it can occasionally signal a liver condition (obstetric cholestasis) that needs checking. That’s different from the mild itch of stretch marks, but worth knowing.

If they do bother you, know that there are things that can help fade them after pregnancy — but there’s no rush, and it’s worth waiting until you’ve finished having babies and your body has settled. In the meantime, a bit of gentle self-talk goes a long way: the images we’re bombarded with are heavily filtered and curated, while real bodies — including most pregnant and postpartum ones — have marks, softness and change. You’re not the exception for having them; you’re the norm.

Most of all, try to be kind to yourself about stretch marks. They’re the natural marks of your body doing something extraordinary — growing and birthing a baby — and they fade with time. In a culture obsessed with “bouncing back”, it’s okay to see them simply as part of the story, not a flaw to fix.