Tattoo's and epidurals

Brandy - posted on 08/20/2010

Hmmm... I got an epidural with my first labor and it was right in the middle of my tattoo...

Nikki - posted on 08/20/2010

Holy Shit, you poor bugger Megs! I have never heard of this before. They most certainly should have to tell you before you have a tattoo!

Mary - posted on 08/20/2010

Ummmm...I've worked as an L&D nurse for over 15 years, and I've never heard of such a thing. I've seen women get epidurals whose backs are covered in tattoo's on a daily basis...and never heard it even suggested that it was contraindicated. But, most of our anesthesiologists are Hopkins trained, so perhaps they don't know what they're doing....NOT!

They only way I've seen tattoos impact a laboring woman's care is that we tend to be a little less sympathetic if you are covered in tattoos and then carry on like a small child about being scared of needles ;P

Jessica - posted on 05/29/2010

I have tattoos and I got an epidural. I have 2 tattoo's on my back. One on my lower back (the stamp tramp) and one on my upper back (its pretty big) and the dr never told me anything that I could not get one!!

Nikki - posted on 05/28/2010

I have a tattoo on my lower back and I got an epidural I even asked the doctor about it first he told me there was absolutely nothing to worry about, he had been an anesthisiologist (sp) for 40 years he seemed to know what he was doing, so I didnt worry.

Amanda - posted on 05/28/2010

i have a tattoo starting at my bra line, going down to right about my butt, and around my sides. i didn't get an epidural, but i had a spinal for my c-section and i specifically asked the anesthesiologist if it was going to be an issue and he told me no. but idk the difference in a spinal and an epidural.

Amber - posted on 05/28/2010

I also have 5, and I think that I'm done unless I have another child....but, I'm never quite sure that I'm done :) haha
Especially since I'm good friends with tattoo artists. Every time I pop in to say hi or am babysitting one of their kids, I think hmmm maybe ;) lol

Charlie - posted on 05/28/2010

Amber said :Ok, I talked to the guys at the tattoo shop and this is what they said:

In the late 80's and early 90's there were laws about it. The inks that were used then were made of melted plastics and contained mercury. It was very unsafe to do an epidural with them because the mercury could spread to the baby.
They now use new inks with no mercury and there isn't really a risk any more. So, older doctors or doctors who have been taught the older ways still refuse.

:)

Lyndsay - posted on 05/28/2010

I didn't get the epidural, so I'm not 100% about this... but I do believe that the actual spot its placed is different depending on the woman. I do think that tattoo shops should warn young girls of the possibility of being unable to get an epidural, just so they know. I really don't think it would have any bearing on most girls coming in to get a tattoo, especially young ones who have no plans to have kids.

Shannon - posted on 05/28/2010

OMGosh... That video is too too funny! I have 6 tattoo's & they do not hurt that bad.. What a wiener!!! That poor tattoo artist, I bet he couldn't wait to get done with her.♥

Shannon - posted on 05/28/2010

hmmmm. That's strange. I've never heard that before.

Jocelyn - posted on 05/27/2010

Lol that would make sense, like laying on your side vs you back? I'll have to ask my lady next time I go in if she does anything different.

Charlie - posted on 05/27/2010

*hangs head * im thinking its less about safety and more about comfort like being able to sit up or something while they get in there LOL.

Jocelyn - posted on 05/27/2010

Pfft what help are you :P Lmao

Charlie - posted on 05/27/2010

I have no idea Jocelyn LOL .

Marsha - posted on 05/27/2010

i have never heard of this.. i have a tat on my lower back and didn't have any problems getting an epidural for my youngest child. no one said anything about not being able to do this, so not sure why you couldn't get one

Jocelyn - posted on 05/27/2010

Pregnancy safe Brazilian waxing?? What's the difference? I got a "normal" one when I was 8 months with Conner :P

Meghan - posted on 05/27/2010

Thanks Amber!!!
Yeah it gets addictive though huh?

Jackie - posted on 05/27/2010

tattoos hurt so good, don't they :)

Rosie - posted on 05/27/2010

yeah, i have 5 and the pain is bad for me, but nothing too incredibly horrible. with my last one oh god did i just want to have her stop. i would get hot flashes and feel almost faint sometimes. then it was my husbands turn to get his, and he fell asleep!! i couldn't believe it, i was so pissed off! she couldn't believe it either!

Sarah - posted on 05/27/2010

*fights the urge to run down to the tattoo parlour* ;)

Charlie - posted on 05/27/2010

Oh and Sarah i am the same i love the feeling of a getting a tatt , its so good !!

Charlie - posted on 05/27/2010

Thanks Amber :)

Although they have pregnancy safe Brazilian waxing , i could imagine that would be traumatic LOL

Sarah - posted on 05/27/2010

Hmmmm, guess i went to a dodgy tattooist then! lol
I wasn't very far along in my pregnancy, so couldn't feel baby moving or anything. Wasn't stressed out either, it was actually very relaxing! Makes me want another tattoo now! hahaha :)

Jenny - posted on 05/26/2010

I had emergency dental work done when pregnant with my first and it for sure caused trauma. I could feel her literally flipping out inside of me and I have despised the dentist ever since (not that it's thier fault though). I will never forget that experience and I'm sorry I had to put her through it.

Amber - posted on 05/26/2010

Ok, I talked to the guys at the tattoo shop and this is what they said:



In the late 80's and early 90's there were laws about it. The inks that were used then were made of melted plastics and contained mercury. It was very unsafe to do an epidural with them because the mercury could spread to the baby.

They now use new inks with no mercury and there isn't really a risk any more. So, older doctors or doctors who have been taught the older ways still refuse.



Also, they said that they do not tattoo pregnant women because it has been proven that it causes trauma to the baby. Having extended pain caused women to have high stress levels and hurt the baby, and in some cases caused miscarraige.

Carolee - posted on 05/26/2010

OMG, Kati, that video is hillarious! It reminds me of my aunt. When she got hers (a small pink flamingo on her ankle that took about 10 minutes to complete), she almost fainted. The artist looked at her and said, "Man-up, candy-ass"! Now that's one of the family's favorite sayings.

Joanne - posted on 05/26/2010

I have never heard of this b4. I have a few tats, one being on my lower back and i had an epidural, and was never told there would be any problems. I dont think tattoo artists need to warn unless its been medically proven. Tattoo artists dont have to warn u about health risks due to dirty needles either, which i think would be a more common problem. The main reason hospital asks about any tats done recently or warn against getting them done during pregnancy is in case u contract HIV or hepatitis.

Kimberly - posted on 05/26/2010

Sounds a bit odd. I have 16 tattoos and one is on my lower back where I got my epidural and one is where I had my IV. Sounds a bit odd but I suppose it's a doctors precaution. It sounds strange because that's a very common place for woment to get tattoos...partly because its sexy (LOL) and partly because it can be covered. The only tattoo that seemed to have an effect on my pregnancy was the rose on my belly and all that happened was it turned from a cute rose to a huge rose bush :-P

Rosie - posted on 05/26/2010

funny video for those of you who thought you reacted badly to getting a tattoo:

Jocelyn - posted on 05/26/2010

Random fact of the day: Getting a tattoo while pregnant can cause you to a) go into early labor or b) can cause a miscarriage. It depends on how your body handles endorphins.

Amy - posted on 05/26/2010

I think that anyone getting a tattoo should get a pamphlet of information that includes warnings (like the one mentioned here) as well as a list of questions and care instructions.

I knew about this in High School because a friend of mine wanted to be a nurse so she told us all.

Amber - posted on 05/26/2010

And the reason they don't do it with pregnant women is because you can have an allergic reaction to the ink. It's rare, but it can happen. And this reaction could then spread to the baby and make them sick.

And the ink can potentially prove an issue to the baby because if it gets in your blood stream it can be toxic.

So, for legal purposes it's usually a good idea to not tattoo pregnant women.

Amber - posted on 05/26/2010

The paperwork wouldn't have to read that it could be a risk to get an epidural. The paperwork could read that doctors may refuse epiderals to women who have tattoos on their spine.

I'm picking up one of my friend's children today, they work in a tattoo shop. So, when I drop her off tonight I'm going to ask the owner what he thinks. I'm pretty sure he'll laugh, but it should be interesting to hear ;) lol

Sarah - posted on 05/26/2010

The one i had when i was pregnant was my 5th one, so i was well prepared! lol :)

Alison - posted on 05/26/2010

I am a bit confused b/c I had both of my epis in the middle of my spine (between the waist and the shoulder blades) and my tatoo is nowhere near the spine.



I think a good tatoo artist should mention that this should be an issue. Did your dr. tell you before labour that you could not have an epi?



For the record, I probably would have totally passed out if I had been pg when I got my tatoo. My head was totally spinning and I had to lay down (from the nerves).

Sarah - posted on 05/26/2010

I had an epidural with my eldest and a spinal block for my C-section with my youngest, and i have 5 tattoos, one of which is on my lower back (although not where the needle would go in).
I also had a tattoo done when i was about 4 months pregnant, they said it would be fine, and it was! :)

Jackie - posted on 05/26/2010

I've heard that you cannot donate blood if you've had recent tattoos but not that you can't get an epidural. I have 2 on my back ( and a few others) and I don't recall anybody saying anything. I was in so much pain I think I might have flipped out if someone said i couldn't have one because of a 10 yr old tattoo. But the damn thing didn't work anyways so...

Carolee - posted on 05/26/2010

I don't think they 'can' put it in the paperwork because it's not been medically proven to be any type of risk for either your back or the tattoo, though. You can't go around warning everybody about myths that have no proven medical or physical side effects. How would you pick and choose from the LONG list of myths to 'warn' people about?

Meghan - posted on 05/25/2010

myth or not...I lucked on on the option b/c of it. Amber's idea is great..consent or not, over 18 or not...male tattoo artisit or female artist there should be paperwork to sign and I feel this should be a warning in that paper.
LOL, I have a seahorse on my lower hip...let's just say that the head isn't connected to the body anymore lol!

Charlie - posted on 05/25/2010

Pffft , i had an epidural and i have several tattoos one on my spine .

Its a total myth .

Jenny - posted on 05/25/2010

I definately think a respectable artist should give you a heads up on any potential issues like this. I have a large lower back piece I got when I was 20 and when I had my Csection I had to get the needle right in the middle of my back. Oh and the person doing it was in training. I let her do it though, I figure everyone has to learn sometime so why not on me? Man I can be a bonehead sometimes.

Amanda - posted on 05/25/2010

yeah mine has stretch marks thru it now, not too bad on the general shape though, its a star on each hip bone with a bigger star in the middle(the middle star is a bit bigger than it was though lol) with clouds in between the stars

Rosie - posted on 05/25/2010

yeah amanda, my very first tattoo was of a sun on my lower right belly....needless to say the outline is now bigger in some spots than the actual color parts from stretch marks right on the outline. it's completely effed up and nobody can tell what it is anymore. i thought for sure i wouldn't get big or get stretchmarks since nobody in my family has. i thought wrong, so wrong...

Rosie - posted on 05/25/2010

i think that tattoo artists should be notified of this and make sure that they put it in the thing you sign before you get a tattoo. doesn't seem like it's too much to ask.

Amanda - posted on 05/25/2010

Yeah, my tattoo artist warned me about gettin my tattoo on my underwear line, but I swore I was never having kids haha never is apparently over at two years later :)

Carolee - posted on 05/25/2010

It really depends on the doctor. The tattoo artists typically don't think about those types of things, though. A lot of them (around here) are male, so they don't think anything other than the rather obvious tummy skin stretching would need to be mentioned to any female getting inked. I heard that the reason tattoo parlors won't let you get tattooed while pregnant is because of the risk of infection. You are creating an open wound and inserting a foreign material into it. If the needle goes even slightly too deep, it can cause a blood infection that can then harm the baby.

Amber - posted on 05/25/2010

I would think that it would be difficult for the tattoo artist to know whether or not your specific doctor would allow it. Because some do allow it, there must not be a significant risk. Most businesses only are required to tell people if it will be a significant risk.
If the artist knows that it could potentially be an issue, then they should include it in the paperwork you are required to read and sign prior to the tattoo.

Amanda - posted on 05/25/2010

lol I've heard you aren't allowed to get tattoos while pregnant, more so for appearance sake of the shop I think than anything that could go wrong. I don't see how anything bad could happen but whatever, no biggie to wait till you gave birth lol.. But yeah I always thought you couldn't get a lower back tattoo, "tramp stamp", if you wanted to get an epidural someday. I have my tramp stamp in the front, and it's none too sexy anymore haha... I'm sticking to my arms for now though, slowly working on sleeves

Meghan - posted on 05/25/2010

lol! I have also heard that you aren't allowed to get tattoo'd while pregnant (I did get told that by a tattoo artist that I knew)