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Many pregnant people grapple with their bodies changing during pregnancy. For queer pregnant people, feelings of body dysphoria can further complicate the changes they go through. Many people worry about the stretch marks that appear on the stomach and chest during pregnancy and wonder if there are any products that can help. [Scroll to the bottom for a DIY belly oil recipe]
Does Oil Prevent Stretch Marks?
About 8 out of 10 pregnant people experience stretch marks.(1) These are usually lightening shaped or jagged lines on the belly, thighs, and chest. Depending on your skin tone they might be lighter or darker than your other skin.
The market for stretch mark prevention is hot! Products range from creams to belly "masks." Oil is the most commonly used product.(2) There is a wide variety of belly oil available from companies catering specifically to pregnant people. While your pregnant, you are constantly barraged by ads, emails, social media, friends, and family telling you what you "need." Sometimes, people have a certain oil or cream that they swear kept stretch marks away for them, their mother, and their sister.
Is there anything you can do to prevent them? The short answer is, probably not. There is very little research on the effectiveness of products aimed at reducing stretch marks.(3) We also know that stretch marks related to pregnancy are genetic, and no product has proven clinically effective at preventing them yet, though more research is needed.(4) Typical: not enough research and funding for pregnancy-related issues. [cue rage] So, when your friend says a product worked for them and their sister, that could just be because they are genetically predisposed to get fewer stretch marks.
TL;DR: We don't know for sure, but probably not.
The American Pregnancy Association recommends your "best defense against stretch marks is to ensure that the skin maintains its maximum elasticity throughout pregnancy."(5) Even if belly oil isn't proven to prevent stretch marks, it may help with itching and discomfort as your skin stretches. Based on that advice, I do think that applying a very strong moisturizer every day is worth a shot.
If there was a single product that definitely stopped stretch marks during pregnancy, we would all know about it. I definitely don't suggest spending $68 on a trendy belly oil just to quell your anxiety. That said, it is ok if you want to have some extra moisturizer to help as your stomach stretches and grows. I made my own formula, and even with very high quality ingredients, it comes in at about 1/3 of the price.
A Ritual
Why not make rubbing on some oil a daily ritual and include your partner? Choose a poem or affirmation to read and repeat eat night, or take a moment after the shower. Here's something to get you started:
My body is a garden
Wild and expanding
Each crawling vine and leafy line
Tells the story of growth and becoming
Now, take time to mindfully rub some oil into your skin (or ask your partner to do it!), giving thanks for something that nourished you that day. You may even send gratitude to the plants that were squeezed and sacrificed to produce your oil. Take a deep breath and connect with your fetus, yourself, your heartbeat. Give thanks to your body for nourishing your baby. All of this gratitude may be as simple as a few slow breaths.
If you'd like to homemake your own oil, here's a recipe. This would be a lovely gift for a partner to make! I'm a nerd so I looked at the ingredients in all the top belly oils and then researched which ones are most beneficial for both moisturizing and scar reduction. This recipe is made up of the most common ingredients and given in ratios so that you can scale up or down to suit your needs.
Homemade Pregnancy Belly Oil Recipe
6 parts calendula-infused olive oil (can use plain olive oil if infusing isn't something you do)
2 parts jojoba oil
1 part vitamin e
1 part rosehip*
1 part sunflower oil (optional)
1 part apricot seed oil (optional)
5 drops per oz lavender essential oil
5 drops per oz helichrysum oil
other essential oil to your preference (make sure to check safety in pregnancy; I like rose)
This recipe makes a thin, easily absorbed golden oil. Play around with the ingredient list and scents. Let me know what you think, and enjoy!
My clients get a 2oz bottle with some lux ingredients & plants from my garden handmade by me included in their doula package. You can also buy a bottle from me if you're local to Chicago - reach out if you are interested!
EDIT: I've been experimenting, and I'm adding my updated recipe as well. The basic one above works just fine. I just like playing around.
DIY Pregnancy Belly Oil 2.0, aka "Budding Belly Oil"
4 parts calendula infused olive oil
2 parts jojoba
2 parts coconut oil
2 parts rosehip oil
1 part sunflower oil
1 part grapeseed oil
1/2 part shea butter
1/2 part cacao butter
Rose
Grapefruit
Ylang-ylang
I found that this recipe is a little thicker, which I wanted. My first iterations were lovely but a bit drippy. I wanted something a bit more luxurious. Using more EVOO makes it more cost effective, but I was willing to use less in order to get the consistency and ratios where I wanted them. It does look hazy when it's cold (from the shea and cacao firming up). Just hold it between your hands to rewarm and melt those ingredients.
*Note that rarely some people have reactions to rosehip oil; once you've made your oil test some on your inner elbow to check for allergic reactions before using.
References
(3) ibid
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