TATTOOS WHILE PREGNANT

First Things First – Safety

Regardless of either direction, here are some guidelines your tattoo artist must follow:

• They are a registered practitioner (if your state registers tattoo artists).
• They always wear gloves during the procedure.
• They have an autoclave (sterilizing unit to sterilize equipment).
• The floors and surfaces are all clean.
• All the needles used are new, disposable, and made for single use only.
• The dressings are sterile, packed, and unopened.
• The dyes or ink used for the tattoo are also sterile packed and unopened.
• The artist is available for the first 24 hours if you have any problems. (Find out the availability of the artist if you have any problems in the days and months ahead).

Source

Keep in mind the needle does not enter your bloodstream. In fact, it only penetrates an ⅛ of an inch into your skin. However, there have been rare instances of tainted ink, with other shops, (bacteria or allergens since tattoo ink is not well regulated and classified as a cosmetic product by the FDA).

A major concern with getting tattoos during pregnancy is the risk of contracting Hepatitis B and HIV. While the risk is small, it is highly recommended to wait until after your baby is born to get a tattoo.

At this time, little information is available on the safety of skin dyes used for tattooing during pregnancy. One such safety concern is the possibility of certain chemicals in the dye affecting the development of the baby during the first 12 weeks of pregnancy.

Getting An Epidural

Some OB/GYNs and anesthesiologists have discussed concerns whether its safe to perform an epidural if a woman has a back tattoo. The theory being that the needle will push pigmented tissue into the spinal column, causing a growth or infection. Similar to the information above, there’s little evidence and literature supporting this theory.

If you’re considering getting a back tattoo or already have one, consult with your doctor first.

Stretch Marks and Tattoos

One of the most common traits after having a baby is having stretch marks. So, your current tattoo may appear lopsided or distorted when regaining your pre-pregnancy look. Of course, that’s only if your tattoo is in a spot affected by your pregnancy such as abdomen or your side(s). Other areas affected can be your thighs, buttocks, and breasts.