How I Made It Through Pregnancy Without a Single (New) Stretch Mark

Unfiltered or retouched photo of Olivia's belly at 36 weeks pregnant.

Let me start by saying this loud and clear: stretch marks are a badge of honor. Truly. Our bodies go through something miraculous during pregnancy—expanding, stretching, softening, shifting—to create life. And the marks, lines, sagging, and changes that come with that? They're nothing short of sacred. I genuinely believe that.

But I’m also someone who likes to feel good in my skin—and if I could avoid new stretch marks, I wanted to give it my best shot. So I did. Religiously.

Throughout my pregnancy, I used the 8 Sheep Organics Pregnancy Survival Kit every single day. I didn’t miss a step. Not one. I actually ended up purchasing the kit twice, because I was using it so consistently and so generously.

My favorite part? The Helichrysum Belly Balm and Belly Serum. I applied both—layered one over the other—every single night to my belly, butt, and upper thighs. I wasn’t shy with the amount or the coverage. These areas go through some serious stretching, and I wanted to be proactive, not reactive.

Now, full transparency? None of the products smell that great—except for the Peppermint Foot & Leg Rub, which smells like a super earthy mini spa treatment. But honestly, I didn’t care. I wasn’t in it for the fragrance—I was in it for the results. And they delivered!

To this day, I don’t have a single new stretch mark from pregnancy. Not one. That doesn’t mean I’m a better mom, or that my body "bounced back" (because, let’s be real—that whole phrase needs to go away). It just means I found something that worked for me, and I stuck with it.

If you’re pregnant and wondering whether any of the creams, oils, or balms out there actually do anything—this was the one that did something for me. It became part of my nightly ritual. I’d rub it in, talk to my baby, and thank my body for what it was doing.

Whether you end up with stretch marks or not, your body deserves to be cared for, nourished, and loved. This was one small way I showed mine some love every day.

Products I used (and loved): Pregnancy Survival Kit

• 8 Sheep Organics Pregnancy Survival Kit

• Helichrysum Belly Balm

• Belly Serum

• Peppermint Foot & Leg Rub

If you’re in the middle of your pregnancy journey, I hope this encourages you to find what works for your skin and your soul. And if nothing else, to remember that you are doing an incredible thing—stretch marks or not.