Pregnancy is a unique and life-changing journey for expectant mothers, often accompanied by a desire to commemorate this momentous occasion with a special memento. For some, this means considering getting a tattoo. However, it’s crucial for pregnant women to fully understand the potential risks and consequences before making a decision.
During pregnancy, a woman’s body undergoes significant changes, leading to the pressing question: “Is it safe to get a tattoo during pregnancy?” We’ve conducted an exploration of the potential risks involved, looked into alternatives, and discussed precautions for those who opt to proceed.
During pregnancy, a woman’s body changes dramatically. Therefore, the question is brewing: “Is it worth getting a tattoo during pregnancy?“
We studied the potential risks and consequences of getting tattoos during pregnancy, looked at alternatives to tattooing and precautions if you did decide to take this step.
During pregnancy, especially in its early stages, the risk of spontaneous termination increases.
Any intervention during this period is not advisable.
The first trimester is the “base” for the unborn child. That is, the organs are just beginning to form, the main functions of the body appear. This means that any interventions can adversely affect his future health, since the baby does not yet have protection, in the form of a placenta, which appears at a later date.
Why Is It Not Recommended To Get a Tattoo During Pregnancy?
External Risks
Possible changes in appearance that can worsen the result of the tattoo:
Pregnancy is inextricably linked with changes in the figure, some women are faced with excess weight gain
With the development of the fetus, the abdomen increases in size, so that the tattoos made in these places can blur, deform, and require serious correction, especially if they are large.
Changes in hormonal levels have a serious impact on pigments
The skin accepts paint worse, often there are even color deviations from the original shade, so the final result may be far from expectations.
Dry skin
Many people face the fact that during pregnancy, the skin becomes dry, requiring increased care, and sometimes the intake of special vitamins and elements that restore the natural water balance. It is much more difficult for a master to work on dry skin, it fixes the pigment worse, there is a risk of blurring the contours.
Medical Risks
There are more serious reasons to give up a tattoo during pregnancy:
Pain shock
The body during pregnancy is more sensitive to external stimuli, and therefore the pain that was habitual before may now seem simply unbearable.
Pain shock is an extremely dangerous situation associated with loss of consciousness and the threat of miscarriage, regardless of the term. Although it is possible to increase the pain threshold by taking certain medications and local anesthesia, it is necessary to understand the aspect that comes out of this. Many medicines cannot be used due to a large number of contraindications and the risk of allergies, which adversely affects the unborn baby.
Allergy
An increased risk of an allergic reaction is also associated with a change in the body’s sensitivity due to fluctuations in hormonal levels. Even the simplest black pigments are sometimes allergic, let alone bright shades.
Difficulty with recovery
Pregnancy is a huge burden on the body, it spends maximum resources to provide the fetus with the necessary nutrients, to provide conditions ideal for healthy growth and development without pathologies so that any external load is undesirable. Even a cold sometimes drag on for a long time, let alone a tattoo, which is a mechanical injury. The tattoo can heal longer than the standard two weeks, which is associated with slow tissue regeneration and restrictions on the use of certain ointments and creams.
The danger of infection
Nowadays, most tattoo artists are extremely responsible for the issues of sterility and antiseptic treatment. They work with gloves, disposable needles, which eliminates the risk of infection during the session. However, even a small mistake during care is enough to face inflammation, since the body of a pregnant woman is very sensitive and defenseless during this period.
What if You Get a Tattoo and Then Find Out That You Are Pregnant?
If you got a tattoo before you knew you were pregnant, be sure to tell your doctor, even if the procedure was done in a licensed studio. The doctor will prescribe the necessary tests for infections and examine to make sure that everything is in order with the baby.
Early detection of even dangerous diseases at the level of development of modern medicine often ends in almost complete recovery.
If the procedure did not cause negative consequences as a result, then the baby has continued normal development and is not in danger.
If everything is in order, and the fetus develops normally, the question of aesthetic consequences is brewing. Tattoos on the lower back or abdomen may change after childbirth. The risk of such an outcome is always there, but it very much depends on the personal physiological characteristics of the woman.
Useful Tips To Minimize Tattoo Deformation
To minimize the risk of deformation of the tattoo, it is recommended to do the following:
during pregnancy, be sure to wear a bandage that will reduce the elasticity of the tissues in the abdomen and prevent changes in the appearance of the tattoo;
apply special creams for pregnant women on the body every day, use hypoallergenic base oils for the same purposes — corn, coconut, almond, and olive oil, as well as macadamia oil, are optimal;
stick to a healthy diet, so that there are no sharp jumps in weight up or down.
Using all of these methods and helpful tips, you can reduce the likelihood of deformation of the applied image or text, while maintaining the aesthetic appeal and clarity of your tattoo.
Alternative to Tattoo During Pregnancy
When you want to get a tattoo and not wait for childbirth, then henna will be a safe alternative. In some cultures, it is customary to get Mehendi (henna tattoos) during pregnancy and it is believed to bring good luck.
Drawings are applied using natural henna, which is prepared according to a special recipe only from herbal ingredients. Because of this, tattoos are considered safe, but black henna should not be used. Tattoos should be done with dark brown or red henna.
Black henna is not safe because it contains some elements that can cause burns and blisters.
The most appropriate time to apply the tattoo is considered to be the beginning and end of pregnancy. Due to its aesthetic appearance, expectant mothers will be able to arrange an amazing photo session, and henna tattoos will make it unforgettable.
Precautions if You Decide To Get a Tattoo During Pregnancy
It is important to understand those rash decisions can harm the baby. It is encouraged and highly recommended to wait until pregnancy and lactation are over.
If you are still firmly convinced of your intentions, then you should pay attention to the following points:
Schedule a session for the 2nd or 3rd trimester
The internal organs of the fetus have already been formed by this time, and therefore it is more resistant to external influences.
Limit yourself to a small tattoo that can be done in a 2-3 hour session
Tattooing is always accompanied by pain, which, although can be relieved with painkillers, still is not recommended to avoid negative consequences for the unborn baby. Therefore, it is better to limit yourself to a small tattoo, the application session of which will take a maximum of 3 hours.
Choose suitable locations for the tattoo so that the stomach is not stressed
It is better not to do tattoos directly on the stomach, chest, or back. These areas of the body are subject to the greatest deformations. Forearms, shoulders, calves are the optimal solution.
Get a tattoo at a certified tattoo studio
The first thing worth paying attention to is the overall cleanliness of the studio. Check out the license and any certifications the tattoo studio or individual artists have.
Make sure they have an autoclave. This is the machine that tattooists (and surgeons/dentists) use to sterilize their equipment. Every tattoo artist must also adhere to standard safety and cleanliness protocols.
Pick an experienced tattoo artist
Not everyone who works in a tattoo studio is a licensed tattoo artist. Some of them may be beginners, taking an internship with an experienced and licensed employee.
An experienced tattoo artist is usually more aware of the various risks and complications that can arise during a tattoo session and is also more likely to know how to deal with these complications safely.
Tell the tattoo artist that you are pregnant
Telling the tattoo artist that you are pregnant warns you that you are at greater risk. Knowing this, they will take extra care and extra precautions when preparing and handling their equipment. Plus, they will check your comfort level more closely throughout the entire process.
After tattoo session
Skin with new tattoos is sensitive at first, so avoid heavy showers in favor of a gentle wash and then pat dry rather than rub. Avoid sitting in the sun, swimming in pools, lakes, and hot tubs, or wearing tight clothing (loose clothing is best so your skin can breathe). And don’t give in to the urge to scratch your skin scabs, as this action can introduce bacteria and cause infection.
Summary
So, can you get a tattoo during pregnancy? We recommend that you wait for a more opportune moment since there are many risks in this period that are not advisable to ignore. As an alternative to a tattoo, you can apply Mehendi (henna tattoo), which is safe and will not harm the unborn child.
If you are firmly convinced of your intentions it is recommended:
take seriously the choice of a tattoo parlor, check the availability of certificates and pay attention to the observance of cleanliness;
use the services of an experienced tattoo artist who is aware of the various risks and complications that can arise during tattooing;
schedule a session for the 2nd or 3rd trimester to protect the unborn child from unforeseen complications;
choose a small tattoo that can be completed in no more than 3 hours.
