I was young (23) with my first DD and got purple stretch marks as thick as my fingers all over my belly. I applied all sorts of expensive creams thru preg, only to read after her birth that stretchies occur at such a deep layer of your skin that NO topical application will effect your chances of getting them. My Mum has very similar stretchies! After giving birth I stuggled alot with the feeling of having lost my youth and beauty. I really think that I obsessed over weight gain during my first preg. I am now 27 and am 3 months preg with second baby. I feel much happier regarding food and body image pre and postnatally. Can only say that accepting my post baby body has been a very hard, yet rewarding journey.