Throughout my first pregnancy, I used an expensive stretch mark preventative lotion (not to be named), given to me by a friend who swore by it and her friends swore by it.  Isn’t that how we come to get most of our products?  I dutifully slathered on the thick lotion on my belly morning and night.  I knew there were parabens in it and that it wasn’t “natural”…but I had also seen my mother’s post-birthing belly and knew stretch marks were my destiny – so I needed all the help I could get.  Stretch marks formed during the last two months of my pregnancy and were doomed to stay there for almost a year in all their purple striped glory.  That expensive cream didn’t do a thing.

Come time for pregnancy number 2 – this time I didn’t use any specific products on my belly.  Why put chemical laden lotions on my belly when it didn’t appear to help?  When it got itchy, I just slathered on my toddler’s toxin-free California Baby lotion. I knew the stretch marks would soon arrive and probably leave a deeper impression than last time (even though they had significantly faded over time).   Then I had a call from Julie of Earth Mama Angel Baby to review some products and participate in a giveaway on my blog.  She graciously let me choose the item I wanted to try.  Of course, I chose their Natural Stretch Oil!  Though I had about 2 months left of pregnancy to go, I hadn’t seen any stretch marks develop and thought – even if this oil doesn’t help, at least its non-toxic, organic and vegan.  As soon as I received it, I rubbed it on all over my belly.  Usually scented products made me nauseous.   Most pregnant women shun products with heavy scents.  Though the Natural Stretch Oil has an herbal scent to it, I actually enjoyed the light scent.  The best part was the oil absorbed easily and didn’t cling to my clothes or create a slick sensation.

Now for the results:  I’m currently almost 2 weeks post-partum…drum roll please…… no stretch marks!!!  Okay, so I gained 15 pounds less than my last pregnancy, which may have something to do with it.  But based on research, stretch marks will either be there or not.  There is really no way to prevent them.  So whether the oil helped or not, it was nice to know that I was putting something on that relieved the itchy belly and I knew was safe for my body and for baby.  I’d like to think it did do something to prevent the marks from appearing .

The product can also be used to massage the perineum in preparation for birth.  I had intended to use the oil for this purpose as well because I had a bad experience with my episiotomy the first time, but I really never found the time or willingness to have my husband help me do this.  But what a great option!  I love it when a product has multiple purposes!

I will post the giveaway of the Pregnancy Pampering Kit in June, which includes the Natural Stretch Oil.  In the meantime, if you want to give a gift to a mama with the propensity for stretch marks, tell her not to worry, enjoy the pregnancy and try the Natural Stretch Oil from Earth Mama Angel Baby.  I will definitely be recommending this and the other products from Earth Mama Angel Baby to my clients!

And right now, the site is offering $10 for their Mother’s Day Special!

Submitted on Wednesday, May 5th, 2010 at 2:26 pm