Hello, I'm not a mother, nor do I plan on being one for a VERY long time. But, when the time comes for wanting a family, I just want to know (about) how many lbs./kgs. do you gain on your first child? And do you get stretch marks?

I've heard of some people covering themselves in vegetable oil every day for their whole pregnancy, and they didn't get stretch marks.

Hey.. if it works, I'd be trying it!

How much weight SHOULD you gain?

It depends on how much you weigh before. A woman who is underwieght is recomended to gain somewhere around 35 lbs. A woman who is of average weight should gain around 25lbs. Awoman who is overweight should gain15-20. These are very loose guidelines.

that said.... how much weight DO you gain? Most of the women I work with gained 30 or more pounds (some up to 60). Nearly all of them got back to somewhere near their pre-baby weight in a year or less.

As for stretch marks.... That is purely genetic. One of my friends gained 30lbs and slathered all kinds of stuff on her belly and still got stretch marks. I gained 45 and occasionally put some of whatever lotion I had on hand on my belly and got no stretch marks.

Don't let any of this deter you from one day having a child. Trust me, once you see that little one a little pudge or some stretch marks become totally worth it.