Stretch Marks - To be, or not to be?

Hello lovelies,

I don't know about you, but stretch marks are a part of my everyday life. From a big growth spurt as an adolescent I developed stretch marks quite young, which has delivered the anticipated fear of more during pregnancy(yikes!). They currently exist on my hips and butt, but are very light in colour.

Now, on to pregnancy stretch marks...

Now being 24 weeks and 4 days pregnant and feeling everyday like my stomach is so big that it is going to pop, I have yet to develop any new stretch marks (thank God). They say stretch marks are hereditary and that if your mother had them then you will too. I'm not sure if I was the result of any of my moms stretch marks, but I hope that my little cupcake wont be the result of any more for me.

There are two products that I use regularly to "lube" up my skin and so far *fingers crossed* they have been working great for me.

Product #1
Bio-oil
I bought this product when I first "popped" a bit around my 12 week mark. I was using this product everyday at night. Being on the more expensive and greasy side I didn't want to use too much at a time. I also started getting really itchy and didn't want to get oil on my clothes, so I also started to use.....

Product #2
Vaseline
Cocoa Radiance moisturizer.
This is a product that my fiancé and I always have in the house, but for some reason I never thought to use it on my belly.

As I started to get really itchy on my belly I started to use both items together. In the morning I use the Vaseline moisturizer and any time my tummy gets itchy during the day. I will usually use the Bio-oil at night, before bed and after a shower and then apply the Vaseline on top. The Bio-oil I will apply just to my hips, thighs, belly and upper half. I apply the Vaseline pretty much everywhere as it is a regular moisturizer.

Now, do either of these products really work for the prevention of stretch marks you ask?
That is an answer that I cannot give, because every woman and every pregnancy is different however, they have been working amazing for me thus far.

Will I continue to use/repurchase either or both of these products?
Definitely! I will do everything it takes to prevent stretch marks no matter what any one says.

Would I recommend either of these products to a friend?
Heck yes! Who is to say whether or not they will really prevent stretch marks or scarring, but who doesn't at least want to try.

What is your holy grail product for preventing/reducing stretch marks during pregnancy?

Thanks for reading everyone!!

Until next time...

xoxo
annpaige

Pregnancy Weeks 13-20

Hello lovelies,

In this post I will recap the first half of my second trimester!!! It is seriously insane how fast this pregnancy is flying by. This little baby is growing so fast and so am I!
If you are unaware I am now, while writing this 22 weeks pregnant! Crazy right? I know!

You hear stories of other pregnant women all of the time, but never really understand certain things until they happen to you.

Did anyone else really expect to have pee every 5 minutes or literally right after a glass of water? I thought it took longer to travel down to my bladder, apparently not. And what about (while on the topic of an uncontrollable bladder) coughing and laughing, please no, not until I get home (or at least to the closest bathroom)!

Omg and dont even get me started on always being hungry! That and eating my favourite food only to realize that it is sooo not babies favourite food.

And then the joys of feeling baby move. Was that really baby or just gas again.

Anyways... here are the weeks and what happened/how I felt during them.

Week 13:
- had a dr's. appt and heard babies heart beat!! 149bmp
- starving all of the time
- cannot stand to look at raw meat and will not touch chicken, unless it is fried
- bleeding slowing down. Only occurs during the night with nothing during the day.

Week 14:
- felt baby kick for the first time when sitting down.
- a lot of blood during the night for one day only.
- starving
- car sickness
- gained a total of 6lbs
Now weighing in at 123lbs

Week 15 (Dec. 19th - 25th):
- could feel more movement, when my fiancé was talking to my belly. Other days baby does flips. Feeling small flutters everyday and occasional kicks on some days.
- tired
- suffered the worst ice storm in the city since the late '80's and had no power for three days!
- finally got power back on Christmas eve and I received the best and unexpected gift from boyfriend....fiancé. He proposed!! He was so sweet and I was and still am so happy!!
Belly: 34 2/8"
Waist: 29 1/2"

Week 16:
- starving
- motion sickness
- more energy some days
- light headed and dizzy some days
- had another dr's. appt and my ob found babies heart beat again, but she couldn't keep it because baby is soo active and keeps on moving!
- still no more bleeding yay!! Dr. Is very happy with my health and babies health.

Week 17:
- still no blood, everything feels good!!
- dreamed that baby was a boy, but I still have no idea. My fiancé and I both have our ideas of what baby is, but not 100%.
- light headed and dizzy still some days
- really thirsty
- baby is really active at night
- able to eat chicken again!
Waist: 30 1/8"
Belly: 35"

Week 18:
- tired
- itchy belly
- was listening to a Bob Marley song and baby started moving.
- started playing Beethoven for baby while getting ready for work and at night.
- baby still active, especially at night
- noticed a bald spot on my head; alopecia. Not too worried as I had it when I was a teenager as well and my dad had it before.

Week 19:
- nausea and really bad motion sickness
- ate Pizza Pizza and it made me feel so sick.
- horrible sinus congestion
- headache
- sore throat ...ugh
- had an ultrasound and my fiancé was able to come with me!!
- baby was so active and we were able to find out the gender.
- of course we went shopping afterwards, but what colours we bought are still a secret to our families.... ;)
- we will be telling our families closer to our shower date.

Week 20:
- tired
- still congested, have a sinus infection
- certain foods make me yuck
- dr's. appt to follow up from my ultrasound
- baby hit a nerve and gave me a muscle spasm and made me involuntarily kick out my leg. Very embarrassing at work!

Gained a total of 13lbs!! Yikes!
Now weighing in at 131lbs

If you are or have been pregnant, what are your most memorable pregnancy symptoms?
When did you first feel your baby move?
What are your least favourite memories during your second trimester?

Thanks for reading everyone and continuing to follow me on this amazing journey!!!

Until next time...

xoxo
annpaige