Tattoos are really common. According to a 2019 Ipsos poll, about three out of every ten people in the U.S., or 30% of the population, have at least one tattoo. And younger people are more likely to have them than older people–the poll found that 40% of people between 18 and 34 and 36% of those 35-54 have at least one tattoo. So it makes sense that some may be people who are pregnant or hoping to become pregnant. But is getting new ink while you’re pregnant a good idea? Keep reading.
Can You Get a Tattoo While Pregnant?
It’s hard to say definitively whether it’s safe or not to get a tattoo during pregnancy. “We just don’t have any research about tattoos in pregnancy,” says Dr. Maram Said, DO and OB/GYN at Ascension St. Vincent Hospital in Indianapolis, Indiana. But as Dr. Tracy Shevell, MD, cautions, “There are some real concerns with tattooing during this time.” As a high-risk OB/GYN in Connecticut who connects with patients through Sesame, Dr. Shevell says one of her major concerns about tattoos during pregnancy is the possibility of infection. An infection could occur if a tattoo artist does not use properly sterilized needles during the procedure—or reuses needles, which can raise the risk of spreading a blood-borne illness like hepatitis C or even HIV. Hepatitis can not only affect your liver function, according to Dr. Said, but it can affect how your OB/GYN manages your labor. If the laboring mother has hepatitis, they can’t place monitors on the baby’s head because of the risk of transmission. Your baby may also need additional medical care and monitoring. It’s also worth noting that just about every state has enacted laws that impact the licensing and operation of tattoo parlors to reduce or prevent exposure to blood-borne diseases, although they vary from state to state, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL). So, you may want to check with the laws in your state to find out more about how body art safety is regulated, including requirements for universal precautions, the use of sterilized, single-use needles, and sterilization of non-disposable equipment. “More commonly, the skin can become infected from bacteria acquired as the needle passes through the skin, just like a cut or wound,” says Dr. Shevell. “Usually this is superficial, but if it gets more severe, it can require the use of antibiotics, and in rare cases, the infection can spread to the blood, which can definitely harm the baby.” “We generally worry about things like a severe risk of allergy,” adds Dr. Said. You could have an allergic reaction to the tattoo ink, for example. If you’re concerned about the risks and you’re not sure how to proceed, consult your healthcare provider. “In my honest clinical guidance, I would tell a woman that I would really prefer that you put it off because of the risk of infection and possibly the risk of having an allergic reaction,” says Dr. Said.
Consider the Effects of Pregnancy on Your Tattoos
Something else to keep in mind: Your body changes quite a lot during pregnancy. Some lucky people sport cute round bumps, like a basketball under their shirts, and that’s the only sign they’re pregnant. But for others, pregnancy means all-over weight gain. Their bellies expand, but so do lots of other body parts–their breasts, their bottoms, even their faces seem to get wider. And swollen legs and ankles and feet are not uncommon, especially in late pregnancy. After you deliver your baby, the skin that expanded as your belly grew may or may not snap back into place. Depending on its location and your weight gain, any existing tattoos may stretch and expand, too. Additionally, you might have some stretch marks or some wrinkled skin where your skin was once smooth and taut (or taut-er). Those can mar the appearance of a tattoo, as well. “If you are considering doing something permanent to your body, I’ll usually point out that something very permanent is happening to your body right now,” says Dr. Shevell. “Actually, so many things are happening that you probably don’t want to think too much about them. But if you want to make a written or photographic statement of beauty, I’d suggest holding off. Things are going to get real, and you don’t need a stretched-out, messed-up tattoo to add to the list of concerns.” So, ultimately, it might just be better to wait to get a new tattoo until after you deliver your baby and your body begins to reach a new normal. A good rule of thumb: Consider waiting until around the three-month-postpartum mark, says Dr. Shevell. Hopefully by then, “most of your skin is back where it belongs,” she says. “And if not, however long it takes, it takes. Try to favor choosing flat areas, like wrists or ankles, which may not change as much.” Next up: Worried You’re Dealing With An Infected Tattoo? Here Are the Signs to Watch For, and What to Do
Sources:
Ipsos. More Americans Have Tattoos Today than Seven Years Ago.National Conference of State Legislatures. Tattooing and Body Piercing | State Laws, Statutes and Regulations.Maram Said, DO.Tracy Shevell, MD.
