Something may strike up in your mind that you need to mark this important phase of your life with something special like a tattoo. You might have some concerns regarding your existing tattoos. You will always consider what is good and safe for both your baby and you in particular. Your own health and also of your baby play such a significant role in pregnancy. You may not have so much information regarding some practices that you may indulge in and if they are safe during pregnancy or not. Here you can get more information on whether or not you can get tattoos while pregnant and how to deal with the existing one.

Is It Safe to Get Tattoos While Pregnant?

When you get a tattoo, especially when pregnant, it may increase the risk of contracting such infections as HIV and hepatitis B. Since the risk is significant, it is usually advisable to get a tattoo after you have delivered. Getting a tattoo involves the use of skin dyes which come into direct contact with the skin. The chemicals found in the dyes if absorbed into the blood stream may affect the development of your baby in the womb especially in the first trimester of pregnancy. However, there are no known effects of these chemicals to the baby after pregnancy.

Concerns and Precautions

There exits several concerns about tattoos while pregnant, and its probably recommended to wait until the pregnancy is over and then you can decide on the tattoo you want and on which part of the body.

• Infectious diseases. Hepatitis B which is a precarious liver infection and HIV/AIDS are the two main infections which can be contracted through cross transfer of bodily fluids. It simply means that you can get infection easily by sharing the same needle if not well sterilized. And you can pass this infection to your baby as well, when you are pregnant.
• Harm of chemicals. You may not know the extent to which the tattoo inks and dyes affect the baby. And this is also another major concern, since the small amounts of chemicals in these products that may not be harmful to you as an adult, may prove to be devastating for your baby’s health in the womb.
• Can not get an epidural. Some may claim that, if you have a tattoo on your back, you cannot get an epidural. There has been limited study showing the risks that could be eminent for women with back tattoo and epidurals. In fact none of the research or studies that have been conducted on these has proven to be negative. However, if you find yourself in dilemma regarding epidurals and tattoos, you can always seek professional medical help from the doctor who will guide you well in such circumstances.

What If I Am Determined to Get Tattoos While Pregnant?

It’s very difficult to find a tattooist willing to perform a tattoo on your body when you are pregnant. In fact most of the tattooists will be hesitant to do it, apart from only a few of them who might have the courage. But if you are much pressed and you feel like your heart desires a tattoo, here are simple safety steps that you can put into consideration.

1. First of all the tattooist ought to know who they are performing a tattoo on, so be glad to tell them that you are pregnant.

2. Don’t rush into tattooing your body. You can wait till the second trimester since this is the time when the baby’s major organs have actually developed i.e. nerves, bones and muscles.

3. Ensure that your tattooist or the people performing the tattoo on you, meet the following guidelines:

• They are registered practitioners; for states which register tattoo artist.
• They should be wearing gloves as they undertake the procedure.
• They have an autoclave for sterilizing equipments.
• The entire surrounding environment is safe and clean i.e. the surfaces and floors.
• All the needles used in the process are new and sealed and should be disposed after single use.
• The dressings are unopened and sterile packed as well as the dye and ink.
• The artist is available during the first 24 hours in case you have any problem,

Finally, in case you had a tattoo but you question the services of the facility that performed it to you; make an appointment to test for HIV, Hepatitis B and syphilis as well.

What About Existing Tattoos?

Existing tattoos do not have an effect on the pregnancy. However, stretch marks after pregnancy may leave your tattoo distorted or discolored. The only cure to stretch marks is using a moisturizer. Dermatologist will advise you to rub gently the scar areas in a circular motion. Any lotion can work but the Shea butter can be the best since it leaves a protective layer on the skin. There exists no proven study which suggests that creams can prevent the stretch marks caused by pregnancy but certainly they help in keeping your skin moisturized. You may not like what the stretch marks can do to your tattoo but all is not lost, all you need is some patience. When your baby’s age is behind you and you are back to normal, you can get those tattoos reworked and done again.