Is It Safe To Get A Tattoo During Pregnancy?
Self expression today is not limited to art work, choice of clothing or fashion statements, these days body modification is being accepted in many cultures. Tattoo is one form of self expression that is being considered by a growing number of individuals, including women, some may have thought of getting one during pregnancy and the concern is, is it safe to get a tattoo during pregnancy.
The View of Medical Practitioners
Most medical professionals, including obstetricians say that it is much more prudent to wait after giving birth to get your tattoo done or retouched. These professionals say that there are several health risks that may be a cause for concern when getting a tattoo during the time when your immune system is working twice as hard.
Certain blood borne diseases can be transmitted when you get a tattoo, especially if the tattoo artist and the shop that you are planning to go to are not licensed or certified. Hepatitis B and C, and HIV are some of the diseases that you may contract when you get a tattoo, although the chances of getting these diseases are small, if you go to a shop that uses needles that are cleaned properly, you may get infected and pass the infection to your unborn child.
Tattooing involves the use of dyes and inks to make them look beautiful however; there is no sufficient data on the effects of these chemicals on an unborn child. Another concern about tattoos is if you would be given an epidural when the time comes that you need one if you have a tattoo on your back. If you have any questions about this, you need to contact your doctor and ask about the hospital’s policy on giving epidurals with women who have tattoos on their backs.
Artist’s Suggestions
Most if not all artists would tell you to not get any work done during your pregnancy. The changes inside a woman’s body and on the body itself may have effects on your tattoo.
Aside from the effects on the art on your skin, artists also say that there is a regulation in many states saying that it is illegal to give a tattoo to a woman who is pregnant. For more information on this, you need to get in touch with a licensed tattoo artist and ask about the rules and regulations of the shop.
Electric current may pass from the machine that tattoo artists use to the mother and her unborn child. These currents may not be noticeable to the pregnant mother, but it may have some effects on your unborn child.
From the point of view of both doctors and artists, it is safe to say that it is best to wait until after you have given birth to get a tattoo. If you want to get a tattoo, you can opt to get a henna tattoo. Go to a shop or an artist that use natural henna. Natural henna stains are colored orange, brown, red or cinnamon but never black, so when you go to your artist remember to ask your artist not to use black henna.
