When do stretch marks start to appear during pregnancy

Genetics plays a role in whether you get stretch marks, and how visible they are. If you have fair skin they may be more visible.

You are more likely to get them if you are a young mum, if you put on a lot of weight quickly during the pregnancy, or if you are expecting twins or multiples. Changes in hormone levels during pregnancy can also make skin a little thinner, making some women more susceptible.

You might be wondering when stretch marks appear during pregnancy, but it can be different for everyone. Stretch marks often appear later during pregnancy as the skin stretches as a result of weight gain, and to accommodate the growing baby and uterus. Some women will start to get them in the second trimester , while others may not notice them until the last few weeks of the third trimester. Here are some ways to help reduce the risk of getting them, and to help minimise their appearance:.

Keep weight gain at a moderate amount about 25 to 30 pounds , and try to gain this weight gradually over the course of the pregnancy. If you are worried about your weight, talk to your midwife or GP. They may give you advice if you weigh more than kg about Some creams claim to remove stretch marks once they've appeared, but there is no reliable evidence that they work. There is also limited evidence about whether oils or creams help prevent stretch marks from appearing in the first place.

Find out more about stretch marks , including possible treatments for them. Find out more about other common health problems in pregnancy. Page last reviewed: 2 August Next review due: 2 August Home Pregnancy Pregnancy-related conditions Common symptoms in pregnancy Back to Common symptoms in pregnancy. Stretch marks in pregnancy. These may contribute to skin dryness.

If you live in a dry climate, use a humidifier at home. For a severe, persistent itch, contact your health professional. These skin pigment changes are not totally understood. It is thought that high levels of pregnancy hormones cause the pigment-producing cells in the skin melanocytes to make more pigment. Some women develop redness on the palms of the hands palmar erythema during pregnancy.

Sometimes the red areas are also itchy. Palmar erythema is thought to be caused by increased levels of estrogen during pregnancy. The problem is not serious and usually disappears shortly after delivery. Tiny, red elevated areas vascular spiders, or angiomas on the face, neck, chest, and arms affect some women during pregnancy.

Like palmar erythema, angiomas are not serious and usually go away after pregnancy. Other normal skin changes that occur during pregnancy include blotchy skin and acne. Acne may either increase or clear up during pregnancy. Some women develop a red, raised rash that itches. It most often occurs in a first pregnancy. The rash may first appear on stretch marks on the stomach. Then it may spread to the thighs, rear end buttocks , and arms. PUPPP is not a serious condition and does not cause problems for your baby.

But it can be very upsetting for you. Controlling your symptoms is the main focus of treatment. PUPPP usually goes away on its own shortly after your baby's birth.