Tattoo and Piercing During Pregnancy
Photo: Tattoo by Mylène Obscurae
Why you shouldn't get a piercing/tattoo when you're pregnant
First of all, we are not here to judge you or to tell you that you are a bad person if you do it, just to give you some important information to know.
Mainly: there is always a risk of infection! This risk is much more moderate when you go to a clean shop with real professionals, of course, but zero risk does not exist, so no risks should be taken. When we talk about infectious risk, we're talking about viruses, HIV, hepatitis, in short, nasty stuff that can be transmitted to the unborn child. Don't panic, the risk remains extremely minimal. For the same reasons, it is also not recommended to get a tattoo/piercing while breastfeeding.
Since your body is a bit busy with other things when you are carrying a child, it's best to avoid putting stress on it for healing, whether it's a piercing or a tattoo. And it's also best to avoid putting stress on it to fight an infection. And basically, a piercing or a tattoo is painful and stressful, and it might not be a good idea to "transmit" that to your little one.
By the way, be careful about the risk of tattoo distortion during pregnancy. If you get a cute and detailed butterfly on your groin, it's possible that it will suffer a lot during pregnancy. This will also depend on your skin and its elasticity; some people fare better than others, that's just how it is!
A quick note on epidurals: it depends on the anaesthetist! Some agree to administer an epidural through a tattoo, while others completely refuse. We invite you to read this article on the subject if you are interested.
