Need to know ASAP!!! Can I get a tattoo if I'm pregnant?

Ann - posted on 12/21/2008

I wouldn't do it knowingly...but I will tell you that I was pregnant with #2 when I got my first tattoo...and she is OK! :0) (I had no idea!)

Jenie - posted on 12/15/2008

after...sorry :(

Anita - posted on 12/15/2008

no you cant

Lindsey - posted on 12/15/2008

I agree with all of the rest of the mamma's. Go ahead and wait. I worked at a tattoo shop for quite sometime and I love all of mine so I would be the very last person to tell you not to get one, but your body will heal much slower while you are pregnant. That fact opens you up to all kinds of nasty infections and it will also alter the way that your tat will look when it finally heals. Its really not so much of the risk of ink going into your blood stream, tattoos aren't that deep. The stress on your body is the major risk factor. I have personally seen people's blood pressure go up so much that their nose starts bleeding, and others blood sugar has bottomed out to the point that they actually pass out. So do yourself and that new little growing bundle a favor and wait till he/she is here. You'll be glad you did. Lotsa luck and best wishes to you and your growing family!

Kimberly - posted on 12/15/2008

No tattoo!!! I was told about this at the beginning of my pregnancy. I have a tattoo on my lower back and even the Dr. giving me the epi had to find a spot where there wasn't any ink saying that the needle going into an older tattoo would release the ink into the bloodstream and may cause a toxic reaction. I would wait...I'm going to get some more work done on previous tats now that my daughter is born :) Good luck. ( Also, you have more time to think of more brilliant ideas for tattoos and designs!)

Rebecca - posted on 12/15/2008

I got a tattoo while pregnant but had NO CLUE I was pregnant. It was right after our wedding and my husband and I got correlating tattoos. I had an extremely healthy child. HOWEVER I would never have intentionally gotten one while pregnant. As others have mentioned, there is the risk of infection. While that is a small risk, the other really important thing to think about is definitely the healing time. Your body is putting all of its best energy and resources into nourishing the baby. It will take longer to heal and make you feel much more tired. Not only that, but it is winter and with all the colds, etc. that go around you want to keep your immune system ready to deal with sickness. So while there is not much direct, acute risk to the baby, it is more of an issue of diminishing your health and energy and not being as able to physically nurture your baby.

Hopefully they will be understanding and give you your deposit back :)

Erika - posted on 12/15/2008

Most tattoo artists won't do it...

I was pregnant and didn't know it yet when I had a sitting for my tattoo. It was much more painful than I remember my previous sittings to be. I couldn't handle the pain and had to stop the session early. I am sure it had to do with my being pregnant. I had sat through 3 hour sessions on previous occasions and barely lasted an hour... I will finish my tattoo after my baby is born.

Kris - posted on 12/15/2008

Thank you. The tattoo place doesn't serve preggos. Darn, that sucks. We were supposed to do it for our bday Oct 13 and 16th but something came up. I don't know for sure, even though all the signs says yes. I'll find out soon, though. Huh, i wonder if I can get my deposit back then, lol

Phoebe - posted on 12/15/2008

Everything I read about getting a tattoo while pregnant advised against it. It seemed that this was because your body is so busy making a baby that it slows down/alters the healing process. I took a fall while pregnant (at 7months) and I'm still healing (4 months later). I had a scrape on my knee that didn't start to heal properly until after I had my son.

Amanda - posted on 12/15/2008

Wait, any tattoo artist willing to tattoo you while you are preggos, is not an artist you want to be doing your tattoo anyway.



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.



Also many inks contain metals in them, these metals can cause allergic reactions, or even pass through to your blood stream.

Kristi - posted on 12/15/2008

No you can't and I have also been told that you cannot get one while breast feeding... something about infection.

Gisele - posted on 12/15/2008

Gina- I am also a believer, and I practice my religion as do my brother and sister. Both my brother and sister have gotten tattoos and the first they ever got was that of a cross. They are not ashamed to display their faith. It's all in how you look at tattoos, they can be works of art and be beautiful testaments of the things that matter most to you or if you choose you can look at them as something evil. In the end it's a very personal choice, I have a hard time believing that if you act in good faith with everything you do, that you would be punished for it.
I stand by what I said, I'd wait to get the tattoo, just in case of risks involved, not to mention you may want something different after baby comes, but great gift idea. Really think about what you want to get (9 month would let you figure that out) because they are very permanent, at least I heard they are very painful to have removed. Good luck again.

Sheila - posted on 12/15/2008

while i love love love my tattoos i'd wait, you wouldnt want him/her to come out with "mom" tattooed across the arm would you? I have 9 tattoo's, --wait and make it a congrats gift to yourself when the baby is born!

Sharon - posted on 12/15/2008

hello my name is shaz.and i wouldnt just incase, wots more important a tattoo or ur baby. i know that when i had my little one i waited 12 weeks after my dude was born....and i would also ask the doc....good luck

Dina - posted on 12/15/2008

You can get a tattoo - but I'd beware and definitely wouldn't advise it. If the needle used is tainted or if you get some sort of disease from the place then you can seriously harm your baby. I would wait until next Christmas - then you'll really have something to celebrate.

Pricilla - posted on 12/15/2008

Do you now if your baby needs blood in an emergency you can't hepl him becuase of your tats and if both of you have tats it's not easy find blood, so i would think first before making your choice, think like a mom....

Michelle - posted on 12/15/2008

I would have to agree with everyone, WAIT!! the ink will go into your blood and can and probably will go directly to the baby. It's not worth it, so I would wait.

Amie - posted on 12/15/2008

No you can not get a tat while pregnant. A good tattoo artist will tell you this. Some people will have their blood sugars's drop and pass out during the procedure, doesn't matter if their diabetic or not. My mom did this when she got hers done and she's not a diabetic and in perfect health. With baby it could cause the baby to go into stress because of how you may react. It's what my tattoo artist told me when I was pregnant with my son and he refused to do it until after I had him. Doesn't matter how far along you are either, a reputable one will not do it. =)

Elena - posted on 12/15/2008

I wouldn't do that - stress and blood pressure and risk of infection and so on. So if you need advise, wait till you deliver and stop breastfeeding.
*great gift to each other really

Lindy - posted on 12/15/2008

Gina- I am a believer and follower of Jesus Christ and I have a few tattoos. My last tattoo is something that I prayed about at length...silly as it may seem. I didn't want to do it if I didn't feel as though it was something that God didn't want me to do. I believe that if it were wrong or if it was something that he definitely didn't want me to do, the Holy Spirit would've placed a conviction in me. And I guess if it wrong...thank goodness for grace, mercy, and forgiveness!

Kelly - posted on 12/15/2008

NO!!!!! I'm all for tattoos, but geez... wait until the baby is born. You'll probably want to get one with the baby's name by then too, so just wait the 9 months.

Lindy - posted on 12/15/2008

I waited until after I had my second (and most likely last) child...then my husband and I went and got matching tattoos of stars with our daughters' names.

Gina - posted on 12/15/2008

I wouldn't do it, even though they say it's safe, I would not take any risks. Also check out this verse in the bible that talks about permanently marking your body. Are you a believer in Jesus Christ? If so, here are some things to consider before you go that route. Leviticus 19:28 – “Ye shall not make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead, nor print any marks upon you: I am the LORD.” (KJV)



1 Corinthians 6:19-20 – “Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; 20you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body.” (NIV)

I guess another thing would be why do you want a tatoo? My husband has them and now wishes he didn't have them (approx. 10 years later). His ideals have changed, he became a christian after having them and now has (in his mind) a poor example for our children. These are some things to consider before you get these. I'm not judging or telling you not to, just want you to be informed by someone who is older and sees how life can change your heart and mind, especially after having children.

Jamie - posted on 12/15/2008

i wanted to get one when i was pregnant and they told me i could not get one. they said it raises your blood pressure etc, and its not recommended while pregnant. you could call and ask a tattoo artist in your area, but they'll probably refuse you.

Gisele - posted on 12/15/2008

Most doctors will tell you it is unwise to get a tattoo if you are pregnant. It's not the ink they worry about but the possibility of infection afterward. Some say it doesn't matter, but then you have to worry about your tattoo stretching and the stress while having it done. It's a personal decision though. Ask your doctor and find out how far along you are, that could answer your question all together. Also some tattoo artist won't tattoo a pregant woman, so it is also something to consider. Awesome gift though, good luck.

Cristina - posted on 12/15/2008

I had to wait until AFTER the baby was born to get my tattoo. My doctors did not recommend me getting one since the ink can get into your blood stream, plus most tattoo artists wont even consider giving you one if your pregnant... I would wait until after the baby is born. It sucks to wait, but it is best for the baby.

Jennifer - posted on 12/15/2008

I really don't think so! I would ask your doc.