Is It Ok To Get A Tattoo While Pregnant?
Tattoos are one of the most popular ways of expressing yourself. People love decorating their bodies with multiple tattoos as a symbol to celebrate their relationships, commemorate their goals, or maybe because they just like doing it. But is it really okay getting a tattoo while pregnant?
Although you can easily get tattoos while pregnant, it is better not to get them just out of impulses. There is a high possibility that you might get certain infections if the tattoo is not done under clean or sterile conditions. There is also a high risk of an allergic reaction.
So, if you are planning on getting tattoos while pregnant, this is the right piece of article for you. Stay with me till the end as I unfold every intricate detail of what you should keep in mind or if you should at all get a tattoo while pregnant.
Is It Ok Getting A Tattoo While Pregnant?
Pregnancy hormones may make you pretty emotional, and you want to remember this beautiful time of your life by getting a tattoo as a token – it is totally understandable. But there are concerns about getting a tattoo while pregnant.
After all, you would only want the best for yourself and your baby. Isn’t it?
To say that way, there is nothing wrong with getting a tattoo while pregnant, but it is generally not something doctors would suggest. So, if you already have tattoos or are planning on getting new ones while growing a small human inside you, there are things that you need to keep in mind so you don’t end up hurting yourself or your baby.
Is It Really Safe?
There has been a couple of specific research about the safety concerns of getting a tattoo while pregnant. However, there are certain steps taken which may help reduce the risks.
These steps may include:
- Do not go to some random tattoo artist. Be sure that the tattoo artist is a registered practitioner.
- Make sure the tattoo artist knows you are pregnant.
- Ensure you check how clean the premises are.
- Make sure that the tattoo artist is using only new and sterilized equipment like needles and gloves for each of the procedures.
- Ask the tattoo artist what is there in the ink and if they were recalled for the safety concerns. Such information is also provided by the Food and Drug Administration.
- Make sure that each of the inks is sterile and untouched. Make sure they are all taken from a single cup and thrown away after use.
- Ask the tattoo artist for their contact details. This is in case any issue arises after the doing the procedure.
A reputed tattoo studio and a tattoo artist with enough experience will happily address any concerns about the cleanliness, safety, and every other aspect of the procedure.
Dangers Of Getting A Tattoo While Pregnant
While you may still get a tattoo while pregnant, the risks are too many if not done under clean and sterile conditions. There are multiple infections that you may grow from getting tattoos while pregnant.
Let us now look at some of the potential risks that you may face if you get tattoos while pregnant:
Hepatitis B And C
Hepatitis B and C are critical infections that may impact the liver. Both of these viruses spread in your body through your blood.
So, if there is a hint of infected blood on the needle, which is not properly sterilized before it pierces your skin, the same virus will contaminate your bloodstream as well.
Human Immunodeficiency Virus [HIV]
This is yet another blood-borne disease that a tattoo needle might transmit in your blood. It is technically possible that if the tattoo needle is unclean and was previously used on someone with HIV, you will be affected. The worst part is the baby inside you will be affected, too.
Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus [MRSA]
This is a bacterium that has potential fatality and is resistant to multiple antibiotics. This also transmits from one person to the other.
If you don’t do anything about MRSA, it will enter the bloodstream and do severe damage to your body. While MRSA does not pass onto the fetus during pregnancy, there is a chance that it may pass on at the time of labor or delivery.
Allergies
While this is rare, it is still possible to have contact allergies to the ingredients present in the tattoo ink. Mainly the red pigments or the needle itself.
Which Trimester Is Preferable If You Are Getting A Tattoo While Pregnant?
There are no such guidelines about the most preferable time to get tattoos while pregnant. As of the end of last year, there exists no prominent research if there are any possible side effects of skin dyes on the fetus. Still, as per the American Pregnancy Association, the chemicals present in the dyes may affect the development of the fetus.
In addition to that, it is also unclear if a tattoo can directly be responsible for a miscarriage. However, there are certain infections that may lead to a miscarriage. So, these are the risks that you may need to think of when getting a tattoo while pregnant.
Preparations For Getting A Tattoo While Pregnant
If you are planning on getting a tattoo while, you need to make sure that the tattoo will not cause any major or minor complications for you or your fetus. You may start by researching the facilities or tattoo artists. Make sure they have a license and comply with all the regulatory standards and requirements.
These standards vary from one region to the other; therefore, you need to check the ones in your city or state.
Here are some of the precautions that you would want to look for if you are planning on getting tattoos while pregnant:
- Refuse using any used equipment, including inkpots, needles, gloves, and so on.
- Putting on latex gloves.
- Using heat sterilizing machines to properly sterilize all the non-disposable equipment between one customer and the other.
Best Tattoos To Get During Pregnancy
If you at all plan to get a tattoo when you are pregnant, make sure it is not something random. Pregnancy is a beautiful time, so there is no way you should ruin it by getting something unmeaningful.
When you are ready to take so much risk, make sure it is worth it. It should be something that has a beautiful meaning to it. Something that defines the beautiful bond you share with your little one.
If you are confused about what tattoo to get during pregnancy, here are some of the best options that women love all around the world.
Mother, But As A Flower
Flowers never really go out of style. I know they are a bit cliched, but who says cliched is bad? If you plan to make the tattoo simple and yet classy, then we have the best idea for the first tattoo to define your motherhood. This is exactly what you are supposed to say to your tattoo artist, “a small flower, and instead of the stem of the flower, write the word ‘mother’ in cursive.” If you wish, you may add in some leavers or just leave it be. You can do it in any language of your preference; English is not the only choice.
Outline Of Your Pregnant Self
It does not have to be the exact outline of your body, but it should be something that matches you. Pregnancy is indeed the best feeling in the world. To be able to grow a life inside you is nothing less than a blessing. So, if you are getting an opportunity to get that drawn on your body, there is nothing more beautiful than that. These kinds of pregnancy tattoos are pretty simple to make and would not hurt too much as well. It is better to get them drawn in black as it is the safest color at the time of pregnancy. This tattoo will forever store the memory of your pregnancy, and you can fondly look back on those days whenever you can.
Name Of Your Baby
This is actually one of the best tattoo ideas for a mother. For a new mom, nothing is more important than her child. Whatever the name of the child, you just need to ask the tattoo artist to get the name done in the most creative way possible. You may then decide to keep it simple or get more designs done on it. Just be sure that you are able to understand what is written after the job is done.
Baby Holding A Finger
A baby holding your finger with their full hand is a beautiful feeling. This tattoo idea is, in fact, pretty popular when it comes to new parents as well. The design of a baby holding your finger is the ultimate symbol of becoming a mom. There is no other joy that mothers feel than the first time their baby holds their finger. So, if you want to get this tattoo done, be very specific about how exactly you want to get it done to make it more special to you.
The Bottom Line
While there are no organizations that would ask you not to get a tattoo while pregnant, there are many doctors who are against it. There is always a chance of developing minor to major infections that are bad for you and for your baby. There is absolutely no need to complicate your pregnancy.
However, if you are still getting it, make sure you are taking all the necessary precautions to avoid any potential risks that cannot be unturned.
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