Getting a tattoo during pregnancy - Have you, or would you?

I really want to get another tattoo. It is important for me to get it on a certain date, but that date is fast approaching and I will be pregnant.

I looked up reasons to not get one done during pregnancy and it seems the main reasons are fainting & going into labour (late pregnancy).
I know I won't faint as I have 5 tattoos already and have never come even close to fainting... I actually love the feeling of being tattooed.
The ink isn't likely to go to the babies blood stream so that isn't a concern to me either. The other thing is trying to find someone who will tattoo me.

So, would you get a tattoo whilst pregnant? Have you got a tattoo done whilst pregnant?

I've had a 2.5 hour tat done first pregnancy and another tat on my back done in pregnancy which in total was 4 hours done in two sessions. I spoke to both my doctor and my tattost and they both said it was fine.

I had my wrists tattooed early in my first pregnancy, I didn't know I was pg at the time :) Had no worries, you might have a fair bit of trouble finding a tattooist who's willing to take the risk if you're obviously expecting, though :(
I also got a tattoo (on my chest!) while breastfeeding and it didn't affect it at all, so that may be something to consider if you can put it off until baby arrives - just don't mention that you're BFing and ensure you know what the small risks are so you can make an informed decision :)

Thanks for your replies girls :hug:
I want to get a day of the dead skull done on Nov 1 - All Saints Day - in dedication to Noah. All Saints Day is the day we celebrate the passing of babies/children.
If I don't get it this Nov 1 I will probably get it done next year.

You might find it hard finding a tattooist to do it, most have a policy against it.

I also thought piercings/tattoos weren't recommended during pregnancy because your body can react to it differently and heal differently because of the added hormones or something?

Personally I wouldn't while I was pregnant, I guess for me it's one of those added risks that can wait until after the baby is born.

Most tattoo parlours wouldn't do it because of the risk of infection. Your immune system is compromised.

I guess I'd ask your Ob/ Midwives and see what they thought.

Sue xx

i got a tattoo a couple of weeks after i gave birth to our little angle and i had a few problems with bleeding and healing, the tattooist said if he had of know i had just given birth he wouldnt have recommended me having it. i almost fainted ( this was not my first tattoo and i didnt ahve a prob the first time)
TBH i wouldnt but if it is really important to you and you have weighed up all the *risks* and you can find someone to do it and you are happy then i dont see the problem

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You might find it hard finding a tattooist to do it, most have a policy against it.

I also thought piercings/tattoos weren't recommended during pregnancy because your body can react to it differently and heal differently because of the added hormones or something?

Personally I wouldn't while I was pregnant, I guess for me it's one of those added risks that can wait until after the baby is born.

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:yeahthat: I was told by a tattooist that she wouldn't do it because there's a (albeit small) risk of blood poisoning. The risk is low and applies to everyone, but if you're pregnant, that risk affects the baby. I think you'll have difficulty getting a tattooist to do it if they know you're UTD.

My tattooist refuses to do it while you are pg or bf, his reason is you react differently and the transmission of diseases if there was a contaminated needle. Not that you would expect it to happen, he opens up the needles in front of you.

yeah I personally wouldn't do it whilst pregnant partly due to the risk of infection and partly because your body goes into duress when your having ink done ie stress due to the pain associated with, elevated heart rate etc, we all know that stress isn't good for your body or your baby. BUT thats just me, if you got the all clear from a gp or MW and you absolutely had to do it this year and you weren't worried about having it done then do it.

My tattooist won't tattoo pregnant women - he reckons no tattoo is more important than a baby and as there's always the risk of infection with tattoos there's the risk the infection will spread to the baby.

Personally, I'd wait until next year when you'll have had time to find a good tattooist that you trust that will really do justice to Noah's memory.

I haven't and I wouldn't, and a reputable tattoo artist would not tattoo a pregnant woman, because of the infection risk and also (and I don't know how to describe this technically so bear with me!) you're body goes through a stressed state, and because of the pain and adrenaline your blood sugar levels go up and down to deal with it, and that's generally not good for a pregnant woman or bub to go through.

Thanks everyone.
I have contacted a reputable tattoist (actually, where I have had tattoos done before) and they said the same thing as Leasha, because of the stressed state you can go through it isn't advisable and therefore they don't do it. I'm more than happy to wait it out until next year and was expecting to do so anyway :)