Tattoos may also get infected as they heal. See your doctor immediately if you develop signs of infection , including:. The lower back is one of the more popular spots to get a tattoo. This also happens to be where an epidural is administered during labor. An epidural is a local anesthetic. If your birth plan includes an epidural, you may want to wait to get your tattoo until after delivery. Tattoos generally take between two weeks and a month to fully heal. If it becomes infected, your skin may become red or swollen, or ooze fluid.
On existing ink, the needle site may even develop scar tissue that could impact the look of your tattoo. Hormones during pregnancy can cause changes in the skin. Your body and skin also expand to make room for baby. Tattoos on the abdomen and hips, for example, could be affected by striae gravidarum. This condition is more commonly known as stretch marks. You can even develop different skin conditions during pregnancy that may make getting a tattoo painful or difficult.
Hormone changes can also cause something called hyperpigmentation. The skin may darken in certain areas of your body, from your nipples to your face. Sun exposure can make darkening worse. Many women find their hyperpigmented areas go back to normal or close to normal after having their baby. Because women who are pregnant are a little more vulnerable when it comes to health, tattoos should generally be avoided.
If you do choose to get a tattoo during pregnancy, there are some things you can do to make your experience safer. You may want to tour several different shops to compare their cleaning practices:. They may be more than happy to walk you through the sterilization process and show you what the studio is doing to keep things safe for you and baby. If at any time you feel unsure or uncomfortable, leave. There are various alternatives to permanent tattoos these days. Temporary tattoos have gotten a big upgrade in recent years.
You can find a good selection of them at lots of stores, and many are beautiful. For something that lasts even longer — around two weeks — you may want to consider henna, or mehndi, for something elegant and safe.
In a traditional henna celebration, the mother-to-be would often be rubbed with spices and oils and then decorated with henna on her hands and feet. This practice was credited with warding off the evil eye or bad spirits. Henna is applied in intricate designs using a pipette. Once dry, you simply remove it or wash it away with water. The paste itself is generally made from safe ingredients, like henna powder, water, and sugar.
We believe you should always know the source of the information you're seeing. Learn more about our editorial and medical review policies. Tattoo removal: Lasers outshine other methods. American Academy of Dermatology Association. American Society of Plastic Surgeons.
Tattoo removal. Baumler W. Chemical hazard of tattoo colorants. La Presse Medicale 49 4 : Dieckmann R et al. The risk of bacterial infection after tattooing.
Deutsches Arzteblatt International 40 : FDA advices consumers, tattoo artists, and retailers to avoid using or selling certain tattoo inks contaminated with microorganisms. Food and Drug Administration. Think before you ink: Are tattoos safe? Kluger N Body art and pregnancy. Mayo Clinic,.
Could a lower back tattoo keep me from having an epidural during labor? Mayo Clinic. Tattoos: Understand risks and precautions. National Conference of State Legislatures. Join now to personalize. Photo credit: iStock. Is it okay to get a tattoo while pregnant?
Safety tips if you get a tattoo while pregnant Will an existing tattoo cause problems during pregnancy? Can I get an epidural if I have a back tattoo? Can I have a tattoo removed during pregnancy? It's not a good idea to get a tattoo while pregnant. Here are some things to consider: Risk of skin infection. A tattoo is a skin wound, and between 0. Medication may be needed to treat an infection. Risk of bloodborne disease. This means you can catch these diseases if you get a tattoo from someone who uses a dirty needle.
A rare but very dangerous bloodborne infection of the heart valves, infectious endocarditis, has also been associated with tattoos. And it's possible for you to pass these diseases along to your baby while you're pregnant. We don't know how tattoo dyes and inks affect a developing baby. The FDA reports that some inks contain pigments used in printer toners and in car paint. Small amounts of chemicals that might be harmless to an adult can have a much bigger impact on a tiny fetus.
If you're pregnant and thinking about getting a tattoo or already have one , here are a few things to consider. Back to Top. In This Article.
Continue Reading Below. Read This Next. Itchy Belly During Pregnancy. Skin Changes During Pregnancy. View Sources. Seven Key Questions to Consider , May Mayo Clinic, Tattoos: Understand risks and precautions , February Mayo Clinic, Could a lower back tattoo keep me from having an epidural during labor? American Society of Plastic Surgeons, What is tattoo removal?
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