Can You Get a Piercing While Pregnant? Risks and Precautions

Getting a new piercing during pregnancy may seem like a simple beauty choice, but it comes with some safety considerations. Healthcare professionals generally recommend postponing a new piercing until after pregnancy because of infection and healing concerns. Unsterile piercing equipment can also increase the risk of blood-borne infections such as hepatitis B and C (1).

If you’re wondering, can you get a piercing while pregnant, this article covers the potential risks of piercing in pregnancy, healing concerns, piercings that may need extra caution, and safer alternatives until after delivery.

Can You Get Your Body Parts Pierced While Pregnant?

It’s best to avoid getting a piercing while pregnant. Although the procedure may seem minor, piercing breaks the skin and creates an open wound, which can increase the risk of infection and make healing more difficult. Pregnancy-related changes in the body can also affect how your skin responds and heals.

That doesn’t mean you need to remove piercings you already have. Fully healed piercings can generally stay in place during pregnancy, but some may become uncomfortable as your body changes. For example, a belly button piercing may need extra attention as your abdomen grows.

Can You Get an Ears Piercing While Pregnant?

It’s recommended to wait until after pregnancy before getting your ears pierced. While an earlobe piercing is usually a simple procedure, cartilage piercings take longer to heal and can be more prone to irritation (2).

Is Nose Piercing Safe During Pregnancy?

A nose piercing is best left until after delivery. The nose can be sensitive to swelling and irritation, and a new piercing requires consistent cleaning while the tissue heals. If you’re planning to get one, waiting until your pregnancy is over can make the healing process easier to manage.

Is It Safe to Get Nipples Pierced While Pregnant?

Nipple piercing and pregnancy may not go well, as during pregnancy, breasts and nipples become sore and swollen, which may eventually discomfort you. Plus, nipple piercing may impair breastfeeding, in a way, by clogging one of the milk ducts that allow milk to express (3).

Can You Get a Belly Piercing While Pregnant?

A belly button piercing should be avoided during pregnancy. The woman’s belly stretches to accommodate the growing baby, making it difficult to keep the belly button piercing in place, which can also cause scarring in later pregnancy (4).

Piercing Gun or Needle Piercing – Which Is Safe to Use During Pregnancy?

There is a higher risk of trauma to skin tissue if a gun is used for piercing. A sharp disposable needle is far less painful and hygienically safer than a piercing gun which can malfunction and cause injury. However, you must sterilise the equipment to prevent cross-contamination and infection.

When Can You Get Your Body Parts Pierced in Pregnancy?

It is best to wait until you deliver to get any piercing done. There are health risks associated with pregnancy piercing. If proper care is not taken, you may be prone to infections and, eventually, may even contract Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C or HIV/AIDS by using non-sterile instruments or supplies (1). Another possibility is that your body may reject the piercing as a foreign object, and the wound won’t heal.

Risks Associated With Piercing in Pregnancy

Getting your body pierced during pregnancy has its share of risks. You will be prone to infection no matter how careful you are. The chances of risks increase in a pregnant woman because of the physical changes and developing foetus. The major risks associated with piercing in pregnancy are as follows:

• Localised infection
• Blood loss
• Inflamed skin
• Bacterial infection
• Infection with a transmittable disease
• Allergic reaction

Precautionary Measures to Take While Piercing When Pregnant

As stated above, getting your body parts pierced is not recommended during pregnancy. But if you still want to go ahead with it, do check with your doctor. If your doctor gives approval for the same, you must take certain precautions while getting your body parts pierced. Listed below are some precautions to take while piercing when you are pregnant (4):

• Wear surgical stainless steel, 18-carat gold, or titanium if you’re getting a piercing done on any body part.
• Do not change your jewellery during the healing period.
• Once you have got a body part pierced, do not clean it using chemicals like hydrogen peroxide, as it affects the healing area.
• Avoid bodily fluids like blood, semen, saliva, sweat and vaginal secretions from contacting the spot of the piercing.
• If there is blood loss, immediately remove the jewellery.
• Avoid getting pierced at the end of the second trimester.
• Medical help should be sought if you have a fever or any pain after piercing.

FAQs

1. Can I pierce my nose while breastfeeding?

Yes, you can get your nose pierced after delivery and during breastfeeding. However, that comes with great caution. You must be very careful about the hygiene and safety of the piercing procedure and the sterility of the tools used during the piercing. Otherwise, it could lead to infections and wounds.

2. Can I wear my old piercing while pregnant?

If you have a piercing done way before your pregnancy, it can stay until it shows no signs of infection. Unless there is any infection, there is no need to remove piercings.

3. What should you do if a piercing gets infected during pregnancy?

Contact your doctor if you notice increasing redness, swelling, warmth, pain, pus, or fever around a piercing. Avoid trying to treat a suspected infection on your own, as some treatments may not be suitable during pregnancy.

Pregnancy is a delicate phase, so don’t take any risks. If you prefer getting your body parts pierced, you can always do so after you welcome your baby into this world. Until then, stay safe, don’t take any risks, and have a healthy pregnancy.

Also Read:

Microblading when Pregnant
Belly Button during Pregnancy
Getting a Tattoo in Pregnancy
Is Taking Botox Treatment Safe during Pregnancy

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Sources References

1. PubMed Central – Transmission of Hepatitis B and C Virus Infection Through Body Piercing

2. Cleveland Clinic – Ear Piercing 101: Healing, Hurting, Cleaning and More

3. Cleveland Clinic – 4 Things You Need To Know About Breastfeeding With Nipple Piercings

4. Adelaide Obstetrics & Fertility – PIERCINGS DURING PREGNANCY