Can You Get Piercings While Pregnant?

There are many changes afloat in your body right now.

Your skin, digestive system, and mood are just some of what might be feeling more than a little different right now.

But what if you’re looking to add a little sparkle to your life?

Can you get piercings while pregnant?

We’ll take you through it.

In this article: 📝

Can I get a piercing while pregnant?

Well, the general consensus is no, it’s best to avoid getting a piercing during pregnancy.

We’re sorry to be the bearers of bad news here, but you may have to wait a bit before adding a new piece of jewelry to the mix.

The Association of Professional Piercers is quite clear on this: it’s not worth the risk. [1]

Here are the two main reasons why:

• You may take longer to heal. When you’re pregnant, your immune system goes through some big shifts. This means that healing can be more of a challenge right now.
• There’s a higher risk of infection and complications, which could be harmful to both you and your baby. [2]

Some possible complications include:

• Skin infections at the piercing site that could spread to your bloodstream
  
• Keloids, where your body creates too much scar tissue and causes bumps around your piercing site
  
• Allergic reactions to jewelry
  
• Tearing and trauma, if you get your jewelry caught on something
  
• Blood-borne diseases like hepatitis B and C, tetanus, and HIV (This is highly unlikely if you have your piercing done by a professional, but it’s important to note that the risk exists.)

Even old piercings are more likely to act up at this time and cause you trouble.

That’s why professional piercers are not keen to take the risk while you’re pregnant.

They will likely not even help stretch an existing piercing for the same reason.

And is that the same for all times of pregnancy, or are there some chapters that are safer than others?

Can you get a piercing in early pregnancy?

Sorry, mama, but it’s best to avoid piercings during all stages of pregnancy.

During the first trimester of pregnancy, your baby is developing all of their major systems.

It’s particularly important to avoid activities and substances that could affect their growth and development right now. [3]

And piercing is unfortunately one such activity.

To play it super safe, you may want to avoid getting pierced when you’re TTC — just to make sure that you don’t pick up anything that might still be around if you fall pregnant.

So does this no-go zone apply to all types of piercings, or are there any you can do safely right now?

Can you get your ears pierced while pregnant?

Ear-piercing is a common practice in so many cultures throughout the world — but it’s not a good idea to get your ears pierced while pregnant.

You just don’t know how your body is going to respond at this time, and the risks are not worth it.

And if you’re wondering when your baby might be able to get their ears pierced, well, there’s a lot of conflicting information on this.

The general guidelines from the
American Academy of Pediatrics is that ear-piercing can be safe at any time, provided it’s done in a sterile, professional environment. [4]

But they do recommend that you wait until your baby is old enough to take care of the piercing themselves.

Can you get your nose pierced while pregnant?

Nope — this one’s also unfortunately off the table too for the same risks of infection and allergies.

And there’s another consideration here too.

Pregnancy rhinitis — a condition that can cause uncomfortable nasal congestion — may make your nose particularly uninhabitable to new residents.

Nosebleeds during pregnancy are also common.

As for tongue piercings? This one comes with an added risk of swelling and infection at a time when you may be experiencing some uncomfortable oral symptoms anyway.

And genital and navel piercings?

Well, these come with longer healing times anyway.

They’re also really close to all the action right now, so it’s best to steer clear.

What about nipple piercings and pregnancy?

Nipple piercings during pregnancy are also best to avoid.

And unfortunately, you’ll have to wait until you’ve finished breastfeeding before you head to the parlor for this procedure.

The recommendation is to wait until three months after you have finished breastfeeding to get a nipple piercing done.

The good news is, for other kinds of piercings, you should be good to go three months after your baby is born.

Other than nipple piercings, there’s no need to wait until you’re finished breastfeeding before adding your new bit of bling.

Should I take out my piercings during pregnancy?

No, you don’t really have to worry about taking any of your existing piercings out while you’re pregnant, unless they’re causing you trouble.

Embryologist Navya Muralidhar breaks it down: “If any of your piercings begin to itch, burn, have a swollen bump or have discharge coming out, it’s worth considering taking them out until after pregnancy.

Depending on the body part, piercings often take 3-6 months to fully heal. So, it’s better to keep an eye out for piercings that you got recently before you found out about your pregnancy.”

We wish you all the best, mama.

Enjoy this beautiful, complex, extraordinary, unparalleled time.