FREE Hospital Bag Checklist (Nurse Approved) → Download Here

My Pregnancy Belly Care Routine: The 2 Products I Used Throughout My 39-Week Pregnancy

Wondering what to use on your growing belly? As an L&D nurse and mom, I'm sharing the two pregnancy skincare products I used every day, plus tips on stretch marks, what causes them, and why starting early matters.

7/4/20264 min read

My Pregnancy Belly Care Routine: The 2 Products I Used Every Day During My 39-Week Pregnancy

When I found out I was pregnant, I started researching everything.

What prenatals should I take?

What should I pack in my hospital bag?

What baby gear was actually worth buying?

And of course...

How do I take care of my growing belly?

As a Labor & Delivery nurse, I've cared for thousands of moms over the years. One question I hear all the time is:

"What can I do to help prevent stretch marks?"

Here's the truth:

There isn't a magic cream or oil that can guarantee you won't get stretch marks.

Stretch marks are influenced by genetics, hormones, how quickly your skin stretches, and your body's natural collagen and elastin. Some women use every product on the market and still develop stretch marks, while others never use anything and don't get them.

That being said...

Keeping your skin hydrated, comfortable, and moisturized throughout pregnancy is never a bad idea.

Personally, I delivered at 39 weeks without developing stretch marks. Was it because of these products? I honestly can't say. Genetics likely played a role too.

But these are the two products I used consistently from early pregnancy until delivery, and I loved making them part of my daily routine.

If there's one piece of advice I'd give, it's this: start early. Don't wait until your belly has already grown significantly. Building a simple skincare routine in the first trimester or early second trimester is much easier than trying to catch up later.

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you. I only recommend products I personally used or genuinely enjoy.

What Are Stretch Marks?

Stretch marks, also called striae gravidarum, are tiny tears that develop in the deeper layers of the skin as it stretches.

They often appear as:

Pink

Red

Purple

Brown (depending on skin tone)

Over time, they usually fade to lighter, silvery lines.

The most common places include:

Belly

Hips

Breasts

Thighs

Buttocks

They are incredibly common.

In fact, most pregnant women develop at least a few stretch marks.

What Causes Stretch Marks During Pregnancy?

There isn't one single cause.

Instead, several factors work together.

These include:

Genetics

Hormonal changes

Rapid belly growth

Skin elasticity

Multiple pregnancies

Weight gain during pregnancy

That's why two women can have almost identical pregnancies and completely different skin changes.

Can You Actually Prevent Stretch Marks?

This is probably the most common question I hear.

The honest answer?

No skincare product can guarantee stretch mark prevention.

Research hasn't found strong evidence that creams or oils alone can completely prevent them.

However, moisturizing your skin regularly may help improve comfort, reduce dryness and itching, and support your skin as it stretches.

That's exactly why I stayed consistent throughout my pregnancy.

My Daily Belly Care Routine

My routine was incredibly simple.

Morning:

✔️ Apply belly cream after my shower while my skin was still slightly damp.

Evening:

✔️ Massage belly oil over my belly, hips, sides, lower back, and breasts before bed.

That was it.

The entire routine took less than five minutes.

Consistency mattered much more than having a complicated routine.

Product #1: HATCH Belly Oil

(SHOP LINK HERE)

If I had to pick one product that felt the most luxurious during pregnancy, it would be this one.

I loved applying it before bed because it became part of my nightly routine.

Why I Loved It

Lightweight texture
Didn't leave my pajamas feeling greasy
Absorbed quickly
Left my skin feeling soft and hydrated
Helped relieve that tight, stretched feeling as my belly grew

As my pregnancy progressed, my skin definitely felt tighter.

Applying belly oil became one of my favorite little moments of self-care each evening.

Product #2: Nemah Pregnancy Stretch Mark Cream

SHOP LINK HERE

This became my daytime moisturizer.

I loved layering it on after my morning shower.

What I Loved

Thick but not sticky

Kept my skin hydrated all day

Easy to spread over my growing belly

Also used it on my hips and breasts

As my belly continued growing during the third trimester, I found myself applying an extra layer whenever my skin felt dry.

Where I Applied Both Products

I didn't just moisturize my belly.

I applied both products to:

Belly

Lower abdomen

Hips

Love handles

Lower back

Breasts

These areas experience a lot of stretching during pregnancy, so I wanted to keep all of them moisturized.

My Biggest Tip: Start Early

If you're waiting until your belly "pops," I'd encourage you to start sooner.

Your skin begins changing long before you notice dramatic growth.

Building the habit early made it easy to stay consistent throughout all 39 weeks.

Even if these products don't determine whether you'll get stretch marks, healthy, hydrated skin simply feels better.

If I Did Get Stretch Marks...Would They Go Away?

Stretch marks are completely normal.

If you develop them, please know you did absolutely nothing wrong.

Over time, they usually become much less noticeable.

They often fade from pink or purple to lighter silver or skin-colored lines over several months.

Many moms also notice continued fading during the first year postpartum.

Remember, stretch marks tell the story of a body that grew and carried a baby.

They're incredibly common and nothing to be ashamed of.

My Final Thoughts

Looking back, I wouldn't change my routine.

Was I fortunate with my genetics?

Probably.

Did these products guarantee my outcome?

No.

But they kept my skin moisturized, made my belly feel comfortable as it stretched, and gave me a few quiet moments of self-care each day.

As an L&D nurse, I always tell moms this:

You don't have to buy every pregnancy product online.

But if taking five minutes each day to care for your growing belly helps you slow down, connect with your pregnancy, and feel a little more comfortable, I think that's time well spent.