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Avatar universal

Getting a tattoo while pregnant...

Hi everyone.


I have a tattoo on my thigh of my ex-boyfriends name whom i have not been with in over 6 1/2yrs. After dating my fiance and getting serious he told me that i needed to get rid of the tattoo, then i got pregnant with my daughter who is now 4. I am pregnant again, 11 wks today. I really need to get rid of this tattoo before having this baby. I want to get it covered up with another tattoo. I tried laser removal, and it seriously hurts more than childbirth so i never went back. i have been reading articles whether or not it was safe to get a tattoo while pregnant and i'm confused. Although there is no medical proof that getting a tattoo while pregnant is dangerous to the fetus,  some articles say yes, others say no. What do you guys think?
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973741 tn?1342342773
COMMUNITY LEADER
Reputable tattoo artists do not provide tattoos on pregnant women.  

People don't answer negatively, they state their opinion which some don't like.  And it is their right to do so.  

For all, the best source of information is NOT your own research and internet but your doctor.  good luck
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Avatar universal
I'd like to start by first saying that I am tired of moms that tend to be more judgemental (and believe absolutely everything they read like its the bible), then proceed to tell ppl the same information as if they themselves have the the extensive years of research on it.
That said, through numerous research hours done persoanlly and thoroughly, an 40% just plain common sense, the only risk is infection which obviously comes with almost everything you do in life. There are preventive measures taken, mothers hvae the resposibilty to make sure their needles and ink are 100% sanitary, and what comes out of all that, is a beautiful pieace of art on your body.
3rd, i keeing reading in a summary this complaint: "I just dont get why its so har to just wait until the babies born". 1st clue-YOU just simply do no understand you should keep thoughts to yourself. Do not make us feel like bad mothers based on your own values. If you do not understand it either go find the anser or stay off the posts. I have done slot of research through numerous reputable sources. Here is my own "personal opinion":
(1) Tattoos may pose a very minute risk of an infection as may also happen by just wearing underwear. Lets calm it down on the hypochondriac outlook.
(2) Many women who answer negatively to these posts do so armed with mountain of information they have read or heard about when reading the magazines at the checkout counter at walmart. Then post the same article as if they themselves know this as an undisputable fact of life.If you dont want to do it, no ones asking you to, and leave the rest alone.
(3) SOLUTION: DO your OWN research on the matter and bring to the table viable proof on a negative outcome that may happen. Not opinions, guesses, or just words written in a magazine. And learn to be less judgemental and more open-minded to the reality happening around you.

That being said, take precautions, do YOUR OWN research, an make the choice you feel is right as not one choice is the correect one. And ignore the others that really have no business saying anything in here. I have gotten many tattoes, and even dyed my hair (watch out) with all 3 of my pregnancies. Lo and Behold, all 3 of mine or as normal as normal gets. Make up your own mind and the rest of you should go start anegative myth believing cult somewhere else where we smart ppl will be sure to stay away from. Thank you
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I'd like to start by first saying that I am tired of moms that tend to be more judgemental (and believe absolutely everything they read like its the bible), then proceed to tell ppl the same information as if they themselves have the the extensive years of research on it.
That said, through numerous research hours done persoanlly and thoroughly, an 40% just plain common sense, the only risk is infection which obviously comes with almost everything you do in life. There are preventive measures taken, mothers hvae the resposibilty to make sure their needles and ink are 100% sanitary, and what comes out of all that, is a beautiful pieace of art on your body.
3rd, i keeing reading in a summary this complaint: "I just dont get why its so har to just wait until the babies born". 1st clue-YOU just simply do no understand you should keep thoughts to yourself. Do not make us feel like bad mothers based on your own values. If you do not understand it either go find the anser or stay off the posts. I have done slot of research through numerous reputable sources. Here is my own "personal opinion":
(1) Tattoos may pose a very minute risk of an infection as may also happen by just wearing underwear. Lets calm it down on the hypochondriac outlook.
(2) Many women who answer negatively to these posts do so armed with mountain of information they have read or heard about when reading the magazines at the checkout counter at walmart. Then post the same article as if they themselves know this as an undisputable fact of life.If you dont want to do it, no ones asking you to, and leave the rest alone.
(3) SOLUTION: DO your OWN research on the matter and bring to the table viable proof on a negative outcome that may happen. Not opinions, guesses, or just words written in a magazine. And learn to be less judgemental and more open-minded to the reality happening around you.

That being said, take precautions, do YOUR OWN research, an make the choice you feel is right as not one choice is the correect one. And ignore the others that really have no business saying anything in here. I have gotten many tattoes, and even dyed my hair (watch out) with all 3 of my pregnancies. Lo and Behold, all 3 of mine or as normal as normal gets. Make up your own mind and the rest of you should go start anegative myth believing cult somewhere else where we smart ppl will be sure to stay away from. Thank you
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I just got a tattoo yesterday and Ijust found out I'm pregnant today...so far I'm 13 weeks... I Didn't know because since Igot the iud inserted they said that that it might stop my menstrual period..I took two pregnancy test and they both came out negative...so today Iwhent to the doctors and Ifound out Iwas pregnant...I need some advise any one ??? :(        
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Hi there! I am showing, I'm just 17 weeks pregnant and had the same problem as you, an ex's name on my side, I really did not want my baby born with another his name on me so I had it covered, I read loads of info, went to a number of tattooists to get their educated opinions and got lots of mixed information. But here are the facts as I know them, there is no medical evidence that ink harms your baby, also no tattoo artist worth their salt would ever use ink that had had other peoples body fluids dipped in them! They decant ink into small ink pits and throw them out after each customer, use clean needles and clean gloves so there is no risk of hepatitis at all, I would not recommend getting a large tattoo as I have found that my skin is much more sensitive now that I'm pregnant and it was more painful than usual. At the end of the day it comes down to your personal choice and how you feel about it, I know women who have had tattoos while pregnant and have had no issues, and so far I've had no issueS, good luck whatever you choose!
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Avatar universal
In any case of getting a tattoo or removing a tattoo, all these articles focus on infections and hepatitis but in all reality it isn't just those to watch for and it is the nervous system, and every women nervous system isn't the same nor is their body's inside or out. Yeah some women get tattoos while pregnant and yeah maybe the pain tolerance is high but you cant tell if your baby's is or isn't. I have owned a shop for 10 years have studied a lot on tattoos just so I can have information on side effects for different types of medical related issues on a person receiving a tattoo. My husband has been and tattoo artists for 22 years and I have been to many different tattoo shops while traveling and some are the same some are different. Artist do have their loyal clientele that trust their artist but some people just walk in off the street and want some art and ink and don't care to think about trusting the artist.  I guess what I am trying to say is that every women and pregnancy is different but I do think that people need to think about the nervous system while pregnant because it may not effect you but may be affecting the fetus and not all sign show right away but if in any case you can cause a placenta heart attack closer to the due date or maybe a learning disability later in the childs life, even though that can happen normally in development.
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Avatar universal
thats not true we put the ink in another tube which has no contact of anybody else body and i myself work in a tattoo shop i am now 8 mo and i have gotten 5 tattoo while being preg and got 1 removed it is safe to remove or get
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Avatar universal
im super interested in getting the celtic motherhood symbol on my wrist. i got really excited and the father would like to get the fatherhood symbol with me. But his regular shop said no. i just dont understand why. as you say, along with many many other articles ive watched, unless needles are reused or the woman faints or goes into shock easily; theres no problem. i would really like to get it but am now ashamed to look at other shops :/
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Avatar universal
My husband and I just started trying to concieve this month after going through a really brutal misscarrige. My period is not due for two weeks, I just finished ovulating. I have a tat appointment in 4 days. What if i am a week or two pregnant? It would not show up on a test yet. Should I wait till I miss my p to go through with it just in case? I'm more concered the stress it could have an the embyo. It's going to be a large piece on my forarm. Any advice would be great.

Thank you
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Avatar universal
Mommy99, There are studies proving that caffeine can affect a pregnancy. Read up on it here..http://www.talkaboutcoffee.com/drinking-coffee-during-pregnancy.html  . Also new studies have shown that drinking too much caffeine can affect the baby's respiratory system.
But this thread isn't about caffeine and babies it's about tattoos and babies.... I came on this thread because I have a name of an ex on my foot who was abusive to me. I REALLY WANT THIS TATTOO GONE... I went to get it removed and on the questionnaire at the tattoo parlor it asked if I was pregnant. I had just found out 2 days before that I was 6 weeks along so I was scared to hurt the baby and didn't get it done. I am now 15 weeks and this tattoo plagues me every minute of every day! I cannot believe I let that man talk me into this... but here I am with a mans name on my foot and completely regretting it. I asked my doctor if I could get a cover up and he said absolutely not because of the risk of infection.   : (  I always take great care of my tattoos and have never had an infection. I am just so torn. No, I do not want to put my child at risk BUT this man is a horrible person and having his name on me disgusts me to the core. Plus I am trying to reconcile with my ex husband who doesn't know about the tattoo. God give me an answer : (  .
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Avatar universal
Where I get ink done they put out new lil sterile caps they put the ink in they need.  And place plastic barriers on their tray now the fresh ink caps are held down on the tray by a small dab of petroleum jelly. And he lays out all the ink and tools needed before he starts his work so he is not to cross contaminate his work area.  Use ur nugget.  
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Avatar universal
I'm a tattooist and a mom. I just got asked this question today, and thought I'd refresh my memory on the risks, although my answer is "no" regardless. My theory is that it's better to be safe than sorry. In our American culture, tattoos are always a vanity issue, not a neccessity. In my opinion, any woman putting their vanity above the well-being of their unborn child is completely selfish. Regardless of how low the risks may be, you or your baby may be the ONE who makes up the 1 in 1,000,000. As an artist, I would never put a pregnant woman at risk of shock, infection or even regret - no matter how safe, sterile and cautious I am as an artist. That is putting money over morality and no bill needs to get paid badly enough to make me that that job.
Also, the whole issue of reusing ink is just ridiculous to me. It's simply not done by any legitimate shop. Period. And one cannot get hepatitis or AIDS from the ink used by an artist just because it comes from a bottle that gets used consecutively. The ink is poured OUT of the bottle (which is protected and disinfected properly between clients) and INTO clean, single-use cups and disposed of after the tattoo. Paint poured out of a can doesn't get contaminated unless something dirty is poured back into it - same thing. To the best of my knowlege, there is no such thing as single-use ink bottles available to tattooists. I personally use single-use, pre-sterilized needles that only get opened in front of each client and also get disposed of that client (into a properly approved, Hazzardous Waste container). Single-use needles completely eliminate any question of contamination or swapping infectious bacteria/virus.
As a side note, cover-ups are a big % of $$$ in the tattoo industry. The only names that are entirely regret-free are children's names or departed loved-ones.
I appreciate everyone's input on the matter and hope my opinion makes a difference to someone.
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Avatar universal
You don't share ink when tattooing!  Ink is in a bottle that is squeezed into small cups. The cups are used during tattooing. Not the bottle of ink. Lol. Shouldn't spread rumors about unsafe tattooing if you've obviously never even got one.
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Avatar universal
I am 8 weeks pregnant and I am wanting to get a tattoo. I would like to get it on the back of my neck. I have been reading alot of articles and i hear that i shouldnt and then i read that its ok if I take care of it. I have 2 other tattoos and never had a problem with them getting infected, they actually healed perfect. I guess i am just nervous to get one. I had a great pregnancy with my first. What do you all think? Suggestions please! Thank you.
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Avatar universal
To the lady who said that tattoo artist dont open new ink for new customers, common now, really??

First of all, if you go to a legit shop, everything will be pre-packaged, needles, tubes AND the little caps they put the ink in for the tattoo.

Yeah they dont open new ink for each customer, that would be virtually impossible to run a tattoo business that way. But they do put ink in CLEAN caps each time they start a new customer, the ink never meets anyones bodily fluids.

I would go to someone you know and trust for a tatttoo, not just any random person, I am 7 months pregnant, my fiance is a tattoo artist and I'm getting a tattoo today, in the states of Oklahoma, Oregon and Hawaii (where I am) there are intense exams and each tattoo artist goes under medical testing in order to receive their license... if only every other state was as strict as these three.
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Avatar universal
Im 26 weeks. At 9 weeks I got a tattoo on my breast. I was fine! The main concern with doctors is risk of infection but that is there prego or not. I am getting that tattoo covered now at 26 weeks as long as the shop uses clean needles and ink you should be good. Take care of the tattoo and clean and put ointment on it. Mine actually healed faster pregnant. Take it from somebody who knows ! Good luck!
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Avatar universal
it's not the ink that hurts the baby, it's the risk of hepatitis/hiv. Yeah parlors are regulated by the health department, but there's still a chance someone isn't playing by the rules, It's rare that they break heath codes, but that infinite maternal love everyone is talking about should keep you from running the risk.. so to reiterate, THATS where the risk comes from.
blood born pathogens, not ink...

couldn't put it any simpler ...

& she's not a bad person for wondering.. it's a completely valid question... I stumbled upon this site googling the same question.. "is it safe".. if you have to wonder then it's better to not risk it.. hell I know women that do worse things to their bodies than put ink on/in them while they're pregnant, at least this girl had good enough sense to ASK!


on a completely unrelated note
kinda crazy I stumbled upon this post 2 years later.. never did get my tattoo, got massive blood clots after I had my baby & am on blood thinners now... oh well! Got my kid here safe & that's all that matters in the long run.
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1430551 tn?1283206104
I am 13 weeks pregnant... and i have been tatooed twice... my doctor said as long as its after the 12th weeek and before the 30th week their shouldent be any probs... and its just like caffiee with being pregnnt.. they say its bad... But their has been no studys to prove that it will harm a baby.. Just as long as the shop and needels are clean and u take  good care of it everything should be fine... my  dads a tatoo artist and has done all of mine and did my sisters... she dident find out she was pregnant till she was 4 months alone and he did a huge back peice for her... my necie sharyiah came out just fine and she had a great pregnacy
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Avatar universal
I just. Got a tatto I am 14weeks.. from what I have read there is no concrete evidence of hurting the fetus but from some women depending on sensitivity you my not want to try it.. I got a small tattoo and it was painless just like my first one well not painless but normal.. I highly doubt it will hurt the fetus because like with everything else there has been concrete evidence of cause and effect.. if its a question of infection you should never do homemade tattoos from someone unliscened and not in a professional atmospher and the only real way of encountering infection is if you aren't taking care of it...mostly what I have seen that is factual is that your body is changing and if you get a tatto during pregnancy you may not like it later but like any normal person your body is always changing and that can happen reguardless of pregnancy... I would say go with your gut.. don't worry about other people just like child rearing and birth everyone has their way...
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I just. Got a tatto I am 14weeks.. from what I have read there is no concrete evidence of hurting the fetus but from some women depending on sensitivity you my not want to try it.. I got a small tattoo and it was painless just like my first one well not painless but normal.. I highly doubt it will hurt the fetus because like with everything else there has been concrete evidence of cause and effect.. if its a question of infection you should never do homemade tattoos from someone unliscened and not in a professional atmospher and the only real way of encountering infection is if you aren't taking care of it...mostly what I have seen that is factual is that your body is changing and if you get a tatto during pregnancy you may not like it later but like any normal person your body is always changing and that can happen reguardless of pregnancy... I would say go with your gut.. don't worry about other people just like child rearing and birth everyone has their way...
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Avatar universal
Ur name says it all! Dont be a douche bag. Go jump off a bridge since u seem to hate life so much! Hahaha. No one told u to go tattoo urself. Put urself in someone else's place before passing judgement. Don't get involved if ur gonna be pessimistic.

Ps. Thinking people are disgusting includes urself! Get a life and get ur facts straight!

Just being straight up and don't care what else you have to say. ;)
Thanks.
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Avatar universal
If a tattoo is more important to you than your child, maybe you should think about the pending birth. I think it is irresponsible and stupid to get a tattoo when you're pregnant. I have worked at many tattoo shops and luckily they are REAL, safe, talented artists who wouldn't chance anything happening to a pregnant woman.

It is disgusting to see people who think "well, it MIGHT be ok". Nasty, foul human beings. Why don't you go smoke some cigarettes, have a few beers, and snort some coke while you're at.

It isn't going to hurt you to wait until the birth of the baby. Selfish degenerates. That's what you are. Any person who puts a tattoo on you while you're pregnant just wants the cash and shouldn't be tattooing anyone.

:)
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Avatar universal
I am 26 weeks pregnant and just got a tatoo less than a week ago... the only problem i had was the aderaline from getting it made me a little sick I had to lay down after I got it done and it was a decent sized tatoo... but since I have got it done I haven't had any complications. I would say that you should eat and drink lots of water befor you get it done if you decide not to wait...
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Avatar universal
HI i am a tattoo artist from mesa arizona and have been tattooing for a few years. i have spoken to a few dermatologists and a quite a few in the medical field. there is no evidence to support the notion that tattoo ink can harm or affect an unborn child. the ink is put into the epadermis of the skin and while there is a little blood it can not enter the blood stream fully thus making it impossible to affect the baby directly related to ink. tattoo aftercare is most important to avoid infection that can cause risks to the baby. essentialy the choice is up to you though i do suggest if go through with getting the tattoo doing it before the second tri-mester as any further into the pregnancy uneeded stress and over worked nerves can lead to pre mature birth and birthing complications. final advice to get a tattoo for the wrong reasons i.e. (because your boyfriend wants you to) keep it safe make sure your artist is STERILE  !!!!  and mostly tattoo after care .  A&D twice a day for the fist two days then in the weeks following maintain it by washing it with a soft soap and water in the shower, and also twice a day use unscented lotion with vitamins when it becomes to dry. do not over medicate or lotion as this will bring the ink out. thats about it congrats on the baby and happy tattooing. keep it safe.  
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