The research on the safety of getting a tattoo while pregnant is limited. If a woman plans to get a tattoo during this period, there are some steps that she can follow, to ensure she is taking all the possible precautions to reduce any associated risks. First of all, it’s a good idea to let your tattooist know about your pregnancy, so he can make sure that the studio is set up safely before he starts.
In order to get a tattoo safely, a woman has to consider the following:
- Make sure that the tattooist she chooses is a registered practitioner;
- Make sure that his studio has separate some spaces for tattooing, as well as piercing;
- Make sure that the tattooist uses new gloves for each procedure;
- Check if he uses an autoclave, a unit for cleaning and sterilizing equipment in between uses;
- Check that all needles are brand new;
- Make sure that all dyes, as well as the ink used, are sterile, as well as unopened, or that they are taken from single cups and thrown away when they were used.
- Also, check that the tattooist is easily reachable during the first 24 hours after they have carried out the procedure.
The tattoo artist should also supply contact information and be happy to be contacted with questions and concerns in the months after the tattoo.
Also, if anyone is worried that their tattoo was performed in unsafe or questionable conditions, they have to contact their doctor and request to be tested for hepatitis, HIV, as well as syphilis as soon as possible.
- What are the risks that can appear while getting a tattoo during pregnancy?
The primary concern about getting a tattoo in such a condition is the risk of infection. The chances of developing an infection will be low if a woman follows all the safety, as well as hygiene procedures.
However, some serious infections like Hepatitis B or HIV can be passed on to the baby during pregnancy. Symptoms from such infections can take years to become noticeable, and it may also take a liver function test to diagnose the types of infections.
A fresh tattoo is also an open wound, and because of that, it is susceptible to infection. Some of the signs of an infected tattoo are:
- Fever or chills;
- Foul-smelling discharge, pus, as well as red lesions in and around the tattoo area;
- Areas of hard raised tissue which is around the tattoo;
- Dark lines that become visible in or around the tattoo area.
However, following the aftercare instructions are given by the tattooist should minimize the risks. However, in case a woman experiences any of the signs, she should seek medical attention.
There is minimal research available on the safety of dyes used in tattooing and pregnancy. There is a possibility that the chemicals in the dye are passed to the unborn baby and affect its development, especially during the first 12 weeks.
