What Happens If You Get A Tattoo While Pregnant?
Risks Associated with Getting Tattooed While Pregnant – There are some known risks of getting a tattoo , and some of those risks can cause major complications in pregnant women. You should be aware of these risks before deciding to get a tattoo while pregnant.
Infection. One of the main risks of being tattooed is the chance of an infection. If your tattoo artist uses contaminated or dirty needles, you could be at risk of getting bloodborne infections, such as hepatitis B.
A mother with hepatitis B can easily pass on the infection to her baby at birth. Babies with hepatitis B have a 90% chance of developing a lifelong infection, and one in four of them will die of health complications from the infection if it is left untreated.
Other bloodborne infections, like hepatitis C and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), can also be contracted from unsterile tattoo needles. There is a 6% chance of a mother with hepatitis C passing on the infection to her child.
Without treatment, the chance of a mother with HIV passing on the infection to her child can range from 15% to 45%. Toxic tattoo inks. Even though the average tattoo needle is only poked ⅛ of an inch into the skin, some tattoo ink contains heavy metals like mercury, arsenic, and lead.
These ingredients can pose a threat to your developing baby, particularly in the first trimester when the main organs are developing. Exposure to heavy metals can affect your baby’s brain development. It can also increase your chances of having a miscarriage or stillbirth.
Skin changes during pregnancy. When you are pregnant, your body is constantly growing and changing to accommodate the baby inside. Depending on where you get a tattoo, your ink might not look the same after you’ve given birth and your body has healed. Your skin can change in other ways as well.
Melasma , or temporary darkening of the skin, and increased skin sensitivity is common in pregnancy and can affect how your tattoo looks or how you react to being tattooed. Inability to receive epidurals.
You’ve probably heard the rumor that women with a lower back tattoo can’t get an epidural, but there is little evidence to support this claim. Complications of getting an epidural with a lower back tattoo are rare. In some cases, a lower back tattoo may cause problems.
If your tattoo appears to have red, scaly skin or is infected, leaking fluid, or still healing, your doctor would likely not give you an epidural. Calm any anxiety you might have on this topic by talking to your doctor.
They’re the best person to guide you through this process.
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What happens if you accidentally get a tattoo while pregnant?
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 small, it is recommended that you wait to get a tattoo until after your baby is born.
Can you get a tattoo in early pregnancy?
Is it okay to get a tattoo while pregnant? – It’s not a good idea to get a tattoo while pregnant. Here are some things to consider:
- Risk of skin infection. A tattoo is a skin wound, and between 0. 5 and 6 percent of people who get a tattoo get an infection afterwards. Medication may be needed to treat an infection.
- Risk of bloodborne disease. Hepatitis B , hepatitis C, and HIV/AIDS are just some of the viral diseases that can be passed along through bodily fluids. This means you can catch these diseases if you get a tattoo from someone who uses a dirty needle. A rare but very dangerous bloodborne infection of the heart valves, infectious endocarditis, has also been associated with tattoos.
- We don’t know how tattoo dyes and inks affect a developing baby. The FDA reports that some inks contain pigments used in printer toners and in car paint. Small amounts of chemicals that might be harmless to an adult can have a much bigger impact on a tiny fetus. The FDA has not approved any dyes for cosmetic skin injections.
- Because of skin changes during pregnancy (including stretching of your belly and breasts), a tattoo that you get while you’re pregnant might look distorted after you deliver your baby.
Does tattoo cause birth defects?
In 2005, a California judge ruled that two major tattoo ink makers – Huck Spaulding Enterprises and Superior Tattoo Equipment – must include a label on their products warning California customers the ink contains heavy metals that could cause ‘cancer, birth defects and reproductive harm’.
When should you not get a tattoo?
Blood Disorders – 
There are several different types of blood related disorders or conditions. Some of them cause excessive bleeding or issues with clotting, which is not ideal for tattooing. Those with blood disorders may be turned away by shops due to the risks and issues posed by being tattooed. Blood disorders could lessen the artists visibility, extra wiping could cause the stencil to come off early compromising the design, and even dilute or push out some of the tattoo ink.
Where can I get a tattoo that won’t stretch while pregnant?
– Yep! If you’re worried about tattoo stretching, keep in mind that some parts of the body are more prone to stretching and stretch marks than others. During pregnancy, for instance, most of the weight gain and stretch marks will occur in the belly, hips and buttocks, breasts, and thighs.
- While weight gain and stretch marks caused by other factors can affect pretty much any part of the body, you’ll tend to notice skin stretching in the same places, along with the upper arms and armpits;
What’s left? According to Adrenaline Studios , the upper back and chest, forearms, and lower legs are more resilient to stretching. Tattoos on these places likely won’t stretch noticeably.
What u should not do when pregnant?
Can you dye your hair when pregnant?
The chemicals in permanent and semi-permanent hair dyes are not highly toxic. Most research, although limited, shows it’s safe to colour your hair while pregnant. Some studies have found that very high doses of the chemicals in hair dyes may cause harm. However, these doses are massive compared with the very low amount of chemicals you may be exposed to when colouring your hair.
Can you get your hair dyed while pregnant?
Is it safe to dye your hair while pregnant? – The short answer is yes… with some caveats. According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, coloring your hair while pregnant is highly unlikely to be toxic to your fetus [1]. Animal studies show that even high doses of the chemicals in hair dye do not cause birth defects.
Another reassuring finding: your scalp absorbs only small amounts of these chemicals. Still, you may wish to postpone your next color appointment until you’re in the second trimester. That’s because so much development is happening during those first 13 weeks: the baby’s brain and spinal cord develop, their heart begins to beat, and their overall body structure begins to come together.
This period of time is the most important for fetal growth, so many experts recommend minimizing chemical exposure—just to reduce risk. If you’re concerned, ask your obstetrician for guidance or wait until you’re into the second trimester. (Your roots won’t be that bad!).
Are there heavy metals in tattoo ink?
While red causes the most problems, most other colors of standard tattoo ink are also derived from heavy metals (including lead, antimony, beryllium, chromium, cobalt nickel and arsenic ) and can cause skin reactions in some people.
Is black tattoo ink toxic?
While there is no direct connection between tattoos and skin cancer, there are some ingredients in tattoo ink that may be linked to cancer. When it comes to cancer, black ink can be especially dangerous because it contains a very high level of benzo(a)pyrene.
Do tattoos affect fertility?
Those who decide to get inked could be increasing their risk of developing cancer, as new research suggests that tattoo ink is potentially harmful. he European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) suggests that tattoo ink is potentially toxic and can cause allergic reactions, painful itching and pose an elevated risk of cancer development. Close 
Red ink, such as that used in Cheryl Cole’s tattoo (pictured), could pose a risk Red ink, such as that used in Cheryl Cole’s tattoo (pictured), could pose a risk The agency said: “Many reports show concerns for public health stemming from the composition of inks used for tattooing. “The most severe concerns are allergies caused by the substances in the inks and possible carcinogenic, mutagenic or reproductive toxic effects. ” Chemicals that are mutagenic have the potential to change a cell’s DNA which could lead to cancer. The report also suggests that tattoo ink could impact fertility.
- The agency is preparing to publish a “restrictions dossier”, which will list a number of chemicals used in tattoo inks, which could see them banned by the European Union;
- The agency revealed that red tattoo inks are the most dangerous, but blue, green and black inks could also pose a risk, according to the research;
Researchers at New York University’s Langone Medical Centre found that 6pc of those who get inked experience some form of rash and severe itching that lasted more than four months, with some suffering for years. The report was conducted by the agency to establish tattoo ink should be subjected to the same regulations as food and medication within the EU, and restrictions may be in place within a year..
Do tattoos shorten your life?
the MPR take: – Having a tattoo may mean an earlier death, says a new report in the American Journal of Clinical Pathology. Investigators compared the deaths of people with and without tattoos and found that people with tattoos appeared to die earlier than people without (mean age of death: tattooed: 39yrs; nontattooed: 53yrs).
How long does the tattoo ink stay in your blood?
Do Tattoos Affect Blood Tests? – No, tattoos do not affect blood tests. Not all ink particles from a tattoo enter your bloodstream, so it shouldn’t interfere with any blood tests you might have to take in the future. If your tattoo is fresh and is still healing, your blood test may result in elevated levels of white blood cells due to the open wound caused by the needle.
Where should you not get tattoos?
Tattoos are a great way to express yourself. Aside from the endless designs to choose from, tattoos are also placed on different parts of the body. But it’s important to remember that they are a lifelong commitment which is why you should carefully consider their placement.
Does tattoo ink affect pregnancy?
Risks Associated with Getting Tattooed While Pregnant – There are some known risks of getting a tattoo , and some of those risks can cause major complications in pregnant women. You should be aware of these risks before deciding to get a tattoo while pregnant.
Infection. One of the main risks of being tattooed is the chance of an infection. If your tattoo artist uses contaminated or dirty needles, you could be at risk of getting bloodborne infections, such as hepatitis B.
A mother with hepatitis B can easily pass on the infection to her baby at birth. Babies with hepatitis B have a 90% chance of developing a lifelong infection, and one in four of them will die of health complications from the infection if it is left untreated.
- Other bloodborne infections, like hepatitis C and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), can also be contracted from unsterile tattoo needles;
- There is a 6% chance of a mother with hepatitis C passing on the infection to her child;
Without treatment, the chance of a mother with HIV passing on the infection to her child can range from 15% to 45%. Toxic tattoo inks. Even though the average tattoo needle is only poked ⅛ of an inch into the skin, some tattoo ink contains heavy metals like mercury, arsenic, and lead.
These ingredients can pose a threat to your developing baby, particularly in the first trimester when the main organs are developing. Exposure to heavy metals can affect your baby’s brain development. It can also increase your chances of having a miscarriage or stillbirth.
Skin changes during pregnancy. When you are pregnant, your body is constantly growing and changing to accommodate the baby inside. Depending on where you get a tattoo, your ink might not look the same after you’ve given birth and your body has healed. Your skin can change in other ways as well.
Melasma , or temporary darkening of the skin, and increased skin sensitivity is common in pregnancy and can affect how your tattoo looks or how you react to being tattooed. Inability to receive epidurals.
You’ve probably heard the rumor that women with a lower back tattoo can’t get an epidural, but there is little evidence to support this claim. Complications of getting an epidural with a lower back tattoo are rare. In some cases, a lower back tattoo may cause problems.
- If your tattoo appears to have red, scaly skin or is infected, leaking fluid, or still healing, your doctor would likely not give you an epidural;
- Calm any anxiety you might have on this topic by talking to your doctor;
They’re the best person to guide you through this process.
Can I get a tattoo at 6 weeks pregnant?
Can you get a tattoo in early pregnancy? – Can you get a tattoo while 3 months pregnant or less? Yes, you can get a tattoo while pregnant in your first trimester, and it shouldn’t cause any problems for you or baby ‒ as long as it’s done by a reputable tattoo parlor.
Can tattoos affect future pregnancy?
You’ve been planning to get some new ink, but now you’re expecting a baby. Is it safe to get a tattoo? It’s something you’ve been wanting to get for a while and you’ve finally built up the courage to do it. But now you’re pregnant, and you don’t know if it’s safe to get a tattoo or if you should hold off.
It’s best to wait to get your tattoo , says Jimmy Belotte, an attending physician in the division of general OB/GYN at Montefiore Health System and an associate professor at Albert Einstein College of Medicine in the Bronx, New York.
Belotte says one of the main concerns is the risk of you (and potentially your baby) developing an infectious disease like Hepatitis B or C, or even HIV. These viral infections can be transmitted when tainted blood enters the bloodstream of an otherwise healthy person.
This can happen if non-sterile needles are used for tattooing. While studies have shown there’s a very low risk of developing these diseases if you get a tattoo at a licensed facility, there is still a chance.
And Belotte says the chances of passing an infectious disease you get during pregnancy on to your baby are generally low, but they do vary for every person. You need to take into consideration the prevalence of the specific infection in that community, the individual’s vaccination records and the tattoo parlor’s quality-control measures, he explains.
He also recommends you look at the tattoo shop’s violations or citations from the health department. According to the American Pregnancy Association, it is possible that chemicals in the tattoo dye may also affect a baby’s development during the first 12 weeks of pregnancy.
And because there are so few studies done on getting tattoos during pregnancy, researchers don’t really know what the effects are during any trimester. This is why many doctors advise against getting a tattoo while pregnant and even while breastfeeding.
Betty Greenman , an international board-certified lactation consultant explains that while the ink molecules are too large to get into a mother’s breastmilk, she still doesn’t recommend moms get fresh ink while nursing.
“There is no evidence that tattoos have any adverse effect on breastfeeding,” she says. “However, what is concerning to me is the infections that can happen if you don’t use a licensed tattoo parlor. I feel moms should wait until they have weaned their baby off breastfeeding.
Can you get a tattoo while pregnant NHS?
Can I have a tattoo whilst I am pregnant? This is not advised due to the hormone changes that occur which can affect the skin and make it more sensitive. There is also a risk of infection. The advice is to wait until after you have had your baby.
