Pregnancy, Breastfeeding and Body Modifications

Pregnancy is a time where one should be taking care of mom (and baby) first, which means getting a tattoo or piercing while pregnant isn’t the best idea. Expecting moms already have compromised immune systems, which makes modifications during pregnancy a no-go.

If a shop is readily willing to tattoo or pierce an expecting mom, they aren’t acting reputably, which is a risk that shouldn’t be taken. Any open wound is a risk to a pregnant woman, so why would someone want to expose a soon to be mother to any additional risks or stress?

​Allowing yourself to recover fully from pregnancy will mean your body is better able to heal from the tattoo or piercing, which means better results that are worth the wait. It is advisable to refrain from undergoing any and all body art procedures during a pregnancy, even just an ear lobe stretch. It is best to let your body focus on the important, complex and demanding task that it is handling already.

Respectfully, please wait. There are several concerns about tattoos and piercings, so it's probably best to wait until after delivery and weaning to get either pierced or tattooed. Here are some things to consider:

• Many diseases can be passed along through bodily fluids. This means you can be vulnerable to these diseases if you get a tattoo or piercing from someone who uses improperly sterilized equipment. It's possible for you to pass these diseases along to your baby while you're pregnant. Always feel welcome to ask any questions about shop sterilization procedures, the staff should be able to comfortably answer any and all questions to your satisfaction. All of the Gypsy Rose Pathogen testing and Alberta Health Services Information is displayed at our front counter and we're happy to answer any questions you might have.
• Most anesthesiologists will administer an epidural if you have a tattoo on your lower back, but they may decide not to if the tattoo is recent and still fresh. There's no clear evidence for or against giving epidurals near tattoos. If you do have a tattoo on your back and are considering having an epidural for pain relief during childbirth, find out what the hospital's policy is when you are creating your birth plan.
• Because of skin changes during pregnancy, a tattoo that you get while you're pregnant might not look the same after you deliver your baby.