Piercing During Pregnancy – Is It Safe?

Being pregnant does not mean that a woman needs to compromise on style and appearance. If you’re pregnant and thinking about getting your body parts pierced, you’ll obviously want to know if it’s safe to have piercings during pregnancy. It’s only natural to have this question, as many expectant mothers don’t know whether to keep or let go of a piercing while pregnant or how to proceed if they want to get pierced during this fortunate period of pregnancy. The decision to keep or remove a piercing during pregnancy is personal, but when safety is concerned, it is important we tell certain facts. In this article, we will explore the considerations, risks, and safety measures associated with piercing during pregnancy.

Can You Get Your Body Parts Pierced While Pregnant?

Getting the belly button, nose, ears, etc., pierced is in fashion now, and if you like to keep up with the trend, you may want to get your body parts pierced too. But we suggest that you hold on to that thought for some time now. Getting piercings while pregnant is not a smart way to progress with your pregnancy, as getting your body parts pierced during pregnancy can be risky. If you get a piercing done and the body part does not heal, you may get a staph infection, which is not good for the baby. You will have to be extremely careful and ensure that you get it done in a sterile environment and that the equipment used to pierce is sterile, too. There are a lot of things that need attention when pregnant, so why add one more? Your body will undergo a lot of physical changes during pregnancy. You will experience morning sickness, you will be tired, and your body will ache, so it is best not to aggravate the pain by getting your body pierced. Any infection, let alone through piercing, can put the unborn baby’s health in jeopardy. Therefore, it is best to steer clear of piercing during pregnancy.

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 sterilize the equipment to prevent cross-contamination and infection.

When Can You Get Your Body Parts Pierced in Pregnancy?

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. Another possibility is that your body may reject the piercing as a foreign object, and the wound won’t heal. It is best to wait until you deliver to get any piercing done.

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

Body Parts You Should Avoid Getting Pierced

Getting your body parts pierced during pregnancy is best avoided, but if you still want to do it, try and avoid getting these body parts pierced. Piercing involving cartilage is the most dangerous when pregnant, as the healing process is very slow due to the limited blood supply. Nose piercing while pregnant should also be avoided. Horizontal or vertical tongue piercing involves a major risk of paralysis or loss of sensation. Oral piercing can lead to excessive bleeding, infection, and injuries. Also, do not get your breasts, belly or genitalia pierced, as they, too, undergo many changes during pregnancy.

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:

• 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.

When Should You Remove Your Jewellery?

The belly button and genital jewellery should be removed before the birth of the child. If a C-section or medical intervention is required during birth, all jewellery should be removed. Nipple jewellery should also be removed while breastfeeding the baby.

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. Piercing right after delivery when you are already adjusting to taking care of your baby can be a little daunting. Therefore, it is best to postpone the piercing during breastfeeding until you are settled well in your breastfeeding phase.

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. 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. If your nipple piercing is troubling you in any way or is feeling bad, you can remove it, sterilise it, and keep it safe for after delivery. You should never wear your nipple piercing while nursing as it poses a threat of choking for your baby if the piercing comes out accidentally.

Removing the belly button piercing while pregnant is also advised. 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. In the case scenario, it could also be a breeding ground for infections if proper care is not given. Therefore, it is best to remove the belly button piercing 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.

References/Resources:

1. Piercing and Pregnancy; American Pregnancy Association; https://americanpregnancy.org/healthy-pregnancy/is-it-safe/piercing-and-pregnancy/

2. Piercing FAQs; The Association of Professional Piercers; https://safepiercing.org/piercing-faq/#1603412104153-1baf2100-b5d6

3. Holbrook. J, Minocha. J, Laumann. A; Body Piercing; American Journal of Clinical Dermatology; Springer Link; https://link.springer.com/article/10.2165/11593220-000000000-00000; September 2012

4. Meltzer. D. I, Complications of Body Piercing; American Family Physician; https://www.aafp.org/pubs/afp/issues/2005/1115/p2029.html; November 2005

5. Chan. M. Y, Smith. M. A; 5.16 – Infections in Pregnancy; Comprehensive Toxicology (Third Edition), 
Volume 5, Pages 232-249; ScienceDirect; https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/B9780128012383642939?via%3Dihub; 2018

6. Kluger. N; Body art and pregnancy; European Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology and Reproductive Biology; https://www.ejog.org/article/S0301-2115(10)00261-7/fulltext; November 2010

7. 4 Things You Need To Know About Breastfeeding With Nipple Piercings; Cleveland Clinic; https://health.clevelandclinic.org/breastfeed-with-nipple-piercings/

8. Beauty products and non medical treatments during pregnancy; HSE; https://www2.hse.ie/pregnancy-birth/keeping-well/health-lifestyle/beauty-products-and-non-medical-treatments-during-pregnancy/

Also Read:

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