Pregnancy and baby

Stretch marks in pregnancy

Where does my pregnancy weight come from?

Media last reviewed: 20/03/2014

Next review due: 20/03/2016

Pregnancy stretch marks

Stretch marks are narrow pink or purplish streak-like lines that can develop on the surface of the skin. They're also known as stria or striae. If you get them, they usually appear on your tummy, or sometimes on your upper thighs and breasts as your pregnancy progresses. The first sign you notice might be itchiness around an area where the skin is becoming thin and pink.

What causes stretch marks?

Stretch marks are very common in the general population and don't just affect pregnant women. They can happen whenever the skin is stretched – for example, when we're growing during puberty or when putting on or losing weight, but hormonal changes in pregnancy can affect your skin and make you more likely to get stretch marks.


Whether or not you get stretch marks depends on your skin type, as some people's skin is more elastic. After your baby is born, the marks should gradually fade and become less noticeable, but they won't go away completely.

Pregnancy weight gain

You are more likely to get stretch marks if your weight gain is more than average in pregnancy. Most women gain between 10kg and 12.5kg (22 and 28lb) in pregnancy, although weight gain varies a great deal from woman to woman. How much weight you gain depends on your weight before you were pregnant. It's important that you don't diet to lose weight when you're pregnant, but you should eat a healthy, balanced diet.

If you are worried about your weight, talk to your midwife or GP. They may give you advice if you weigh more than 100kg (about 15.5 stone) or less than 50kg (about eight stone).

Stretch marks are not harmful. They don't cause medical problems and there's usually no need to see your GP, because there isn't a specific treatment for them. Over time, your skin will shrink and the stretch marks will fade into white-coloured scars.

Preventing stretch marks


A review of two studies looking at two specific creams marketed as preventing stretch marks found that massaging the skin may help to prevent stretch marks in pregnancy.

The studies suggested that there was little or no benefit for women who developed stretch marks in a previous pregnancy, but that women who had developed stretch marks in puberty seemed more likely to benefit from massaging cream.

However, more research is needed into whether creams or massaging the skin can help to prevent stretch marks.

Read more about other common health problems in pregnancy.


Eating well on a budget


Media last reviewed: 27/04/2015

Next review due: 27/04/2017

Page last reviewed: 17/07/2014

Next review due: 17/07/2016


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Yakinican said on 13 May 2015

Are stretch marks in pregnancy can be eliminated?

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Hannah Parker said on 31 May 2012

I've been looking into this recently as I'm now 30 weeks pregnant and pretty terrified of getting a belly full of stretch marks.

One interesting article I found was about what to EAT to prevent stretch marks as really the mark happens below the skin so creams can't do much. This makes sense to me so I've been trying to find our what vitamins and minerals are best for the skin's elasticity (keeping it supple and stretch mark free!). Here's what I found:

I also did myself a shopping list of foods I should be eating loads of, which you can see here:

Happy munching! x

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Stretch marks

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