Tattoos during pregnancy
Maybe you thought
about remembering this special time in your life by getting a tattoo, or maybe
you had concerns about existing tattoos while pregnant. First of all, you just
want everything to be safe for you and your baby. This information will be
helpful for you to take care of the tattoos you already have and decide whether
to get a tattoo while pregnant.
Tattoos during
pregnancy:
Make sure your tattoo
artist follows or has followed the following guidelines:
- 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 in case of problems. (Ask about the artist's
availability if you run into any issues in the coming days and months).
If you have a tattoo
and you doubt the practice of the institution where you got it, be sure to get
tested for hepatitis, HIV and syphilis.
Think it through
The main concern with
getting a tattoo during pregnancy is the risk of contracting an infection such
as hepatitis B and HIV. Although the risk is low, it is recommended to wait
until the baby is born before getting a tattoo.
Little information is
available about the safety of skin inks used for tattooing during pregnancy. It
is possible that the chemicals in the dye may affect the baby's development
during the first 12 weeks. However, the risks are unknown, as is the effect on
the baby during the rest of the pregnancy.
Some women may also
have heard that if they have a tattoo on their back, they won't be able to get
an epidural. There has been very little research into the risks that may exist
for women who have tattoos on their backs and who receive an epidural. So far,
none of these studies have provided conclusive evidence for risks, so most
anesthesiologists have no problem administering an epidural to a woman with a
tattoo on her back.
If you want an
epidural and are getting a tattoo on your back, it's always best to contact the
hospital and inquire about the policy regarding tattoos and epidurals. Also,
you can pass the infection to your baby if you breastfeed, although the risk is
low. Ultimately, it's your decision, but you can wait until you stop
breastfeeding to get a new tattoo.
What about Henna?
For thousands of
years, women in Egypt, India and much of the Middle East have blessed their
pregnancy by applying beautiful henna designs to their third trimester pregnant
bellies. According to legend, henna will bring security during childbirth and a
happy baby.
If you are interested
in this temporary alternative, know that there are different types of henna.
Natural and safe henna colors the skin orange, red, brown, cinnamon, brick,
chocolate or coffee and can last from one to four weeks. Natural and safe henna
is not black in color. You want to be absolutely sure that the artist is using
pure, natural products and not black henna.
Black henna is not
safe for anyone, pregnant or not. Black henna contains paraphenylenediamine,
which causes burning, blistering, and various reactions that can last for
months and are difficult to diagnose and treat.
If you have any concerns about an existing tattoo or henna, talk to your doctor.