Are Tattoos Safe For Pregnant Women?

I know this is a few months old but I just came across it and thought I'd add although that although ACOG and baby center have opposing views, ACOG is run by actual OB/gyns and actually set standards and protocols for prenatal care. I couldn't really figure out who actually runs the baby center site besides "experts". Consider the credibility. And though of course it is best to err on the Side of caution, pregnant or not, you should always take precaution and safety when getting tattooed for cleanliness before and after. The placenta in pregnancy acts as a barrier for the immune system of the fetus and mom therefore if the mother's may be weaker, the fetus is still protected. Also, although some ink colors contain heavy metals ( such as mercury in reds) others like black and purple do not and are considered safe. I am a tattooed, pregnant RN and say go for it if you're ready for a tattoo and cannot wait!

Nice to hear someone who has this stance. My issue is that many of the heavy metals in tattoo ink are associated with autism and related disorders. I see this and many other parallels to autism that many prefer not to notice. Thanks for the hub!

Wow Maita you are playing with your capsules eh, hmmm and your Author score is nearing the status of being a featured Hubber... Congrats and keep on working hard!

I never know about this before. I can't imagine when someone pregnant get tattoos in their body. This is very rare case for me. But I don't really knew in America. Good information. I hope I can learn something from this hub.

Great hub. The main reason I don't think I would recommend ink for a pregnant woman is because of all of the hormones. Something that a woman could totally think they want on their body may not be so loved when they don't have so many hormones running through their system. I would wait until after the baby and if she still wants to get it then super. :) Clearly I disagree with the comment two up from me since I have a collection of tattoos, a few piercings and have had cosmetic surgery. God didn't intend for us to wear clothing either yet we do...... perhaps the world should be walking around still naked? Practice what you preach buddy....God didn't invent scissors for that hair cut you're sporting either. Altering your body for art or representation has nothing to do with God. Many religions commit to very symbolic tattoos as a sign of appreciation, worship and respect. Think before you speak....who are you to judge? I do believe that is a sin....go ahead and cast the first stone Mr. Dave Matthews.

Well written hub and rated up :) Sorry about my rambling. lol

Informative hub. I agree with Dave for the most part.

Ate' Maita sweetie, as far as I'm concerned, a tattoo on a man or a woman is the injecting of inks into the flesh, which could become a harmful thing. If God had wanted a man or a woman to be covered with ink, thus hiding their Godly natural beauty, He would have done it. Personally I believe that one can not improve on the gifts of beauty given by God, not with tats, or piercings, or hair colourings or any other cosmetic operations or applications that people are doing today. God still will see only the spirit of the person, not the fleshly appearance.

KUYA Dave.

Thank you for a well written article, and congratulations on your 200th hub :)

Hi young lady,

How many more hubs to go? Interesting hub, I don't have a Tat do you got one some where......

If a pregnant woman wants a tat she can get a temporary if there is a concern about a permanent Tat.

A friend from Bangkok sent me an email with body piercing images......after looking at few I was not able see the rest because they were so bad that I can't explain....I don't think you have seen those or I am just thinking that way.

So far so good but I guess you have long way to go, don't worry try your best.

"Never give up, never, never give up." - Winston Churchill

Salamat

Thank you for a well worked through hub. Very infornative.

Actually, Mike Lickteig comments echos mine. Thanks for sharing this valuable information.

Forever His,

I have become more accepting of tattoos as I get older, but I still cringe at the idea of using a needle on my skin to create art. As I said, I am more comfortable with the idea than I used to be, but I still believe there is no reason not to wait until after a baby is born to get a tattoo if a woman wants one. In the larger scheme of things, waiting a few more months shouldn't be that difficult.

Well, Maita, it makes my skin hurt to think about it all, but thanks for another informative hub!

Mike

Once more, you've presented the facts about known after-effects of this treatment with objectivity and clarity in a scientific manner for consideration, before offering your personal opinion - which I, for one, agree with wholeheartedly, along with rmcrayne's.

In addition to exposure to likely toxic chemicals, mutilating one's body unnecessarily seems the height of folly, with nothing to gain but whatever satisfaction it may bring for as long as it lasts.

My personal feeling is that during pregnancy, a woman's primary concern needs to be about the health and welfare of the life growing in her womb. For a mere 9 months, it's not too much sacrifice to delay ANY and ALL practices with any possible harmful effects to either her unborn baby or her own welfare, since she will be a caregiver of a helpless human being for some time after giving it birth! In fact, I guess I'm old-fashioned, but I was taught as a blossoming teenager to begin to build my health and choose my habits carefully with an eye to someday becoming a mom and giving my offspring the best 'me' I could possibly do. It made it a simple matter to avoid dangerous habits like smoking and drinking which many of my peers started doing early.

When it came time for me to have my babies, it was not fashionable to breast-feed. In fact, people looked down on it as being 'animalistic' - imagine! But somehow instilled in me was a determination to do just that - which I did, in spite of discouragement even by the doctors and nurses. They'd been all ready with the usual procedures of drying up the milk-producing bodily function of a new mother but I refused to let them.

Well I'm certain that it benefitted both my babies and me in untold far-reaching ways. Now, at a quite ripe age,I've never had problems with the good health of my breasts.

With all my heart I believe that permitting the body's natural functions to function naturally is the healthiest possible choice whenever possible, which will be if one has followed a sensible healthy lifestyle all along. Particularly during pregnancy - the last thing that helps is introducing questionable substances or procedures into the situation.

I'm glad you wrote about this, and I agree, best to wait until after the baby. Of course, if you've read my previous HubMob tattoo hub, you'll know I'm against tattooing in general due to mounting evidence on toxic effects of tattoo INKS. They fall under the authority of the FDA, who has not intervened, and who has basically stated they are too busy with other things. Interestingly, some components of tattoo inks are banned by the FDA for topical use in cosmetics. Common sense would say they would be potentially more dangerous when injected into the skin, not merely rubbed on the surface.

BTW pdh, check your wording on the Mayo recommendations on low back tattoos. I think I know the article you refer to. It is by the anesthesia professionals, who prefer NOT to place a needle through skin with a tattoo for epidural. They are concerned of transporting inks to deeper tissues, where they may trigger health hazards.

So the "punch line" on tattoos is hazards of the inks for long term latent effect like auto-immune disorders. Using a reputable artist with sterile needles, minimizes your risk of infection, but does not make it safe to have a tattoo.

RM

You know Maita - this is certainly something to think about. Maybe 100s of years ago - we didn't have all this extra things to consider but now we do.

And lately I've been wanting a tat (I think is what the hip young crowd calls it - a tat).

Thanks for some food for thought!