Can you get piercings while pregnant?
- Updated
- Published
Crafted by human
At Femia, we provide accurate and up-to-date information at every stage of your journey, from trying to conceive, pregnancy and postnatal support. All content is created by a real person based on in-depth research and own professional experience. Femia ensures that you will receive expert advice, strict accuracy and a personalized approach from our authors/medical experts. Learn more about our editorial policy. Discover more about editorial policy.
Fact checked
At Femia Health, we maintain the highest standards of editorial excellence in delivering content focused on helping you conceive, guiding you through pregnancy, and supporting you postpartum. Explore our content review principles to learn how we ensure the accuracy and quality of our health and lifestyle tips for every stage of your journey.
Created with Natasha Lowe Osho, MD, FACOG, Board Certified in Obstetrics and Gynecology, NASM Certified Personal Trainer, and Pre/Postnatal Fitness Specialist, USA
Getting any type of body piercing while pregnant is not recommended. This is because the mother has a weakened immune system during pregnancy, and piercings may be discomforting and pose infection risks for the mother and baby. So, it is best to plan a piercing after your pregnancy.
During pregnancy, your body undergoes various physical changes, so it is best to minimize exposure to discomfort or pain, even if it’s minor. Overall, getting a piercing during pregnancy may sound safe, but it’s not free from risk, whether it’s an ear piercing, nose piercing, belly button piercing, or any other.
Whether you already have piercings and are planning to get pregnant or are planning to get pierced during pregnancy, we’ve got you covered.
Is it safe to get piercings while pregnant?
Getting a piercing is nothing significant to us apart from temporary discomfort and pain that lasts for less than a minute.
But, wouldn’t it be great to avoid even minor discomfort or pain and give your body the relaxation and rest it deserves during pregnancy?
So, can you get piercings while pregnant? Unfortunately, getting piercings while pregnant is not safe. Your body undergoes significant physical and hormonal changes in pregnancy and does not remain the same as it was before.
Moreover, your immune system is comparatively weaker during pregnancy, so even minor swelling, redness, or pain after piercing can take longer to heal, become irritated or infected, and cause complications.
Timing and precautions of piercing while pregnant:
It is recommended to avoid getting a new piercing if you are planning to get pregnant within the next year.
Generally, a well-healed piercing doesn’t carry a risk for infection during pregnancy. However, some pregnant women may face difficulty or discomfort even with healed piercings due to physical body changes, like abdominal expansion.
In addition, the pressure of labor can cause tearing of pierced sites or snagging. Hence, although fully healed piercing doesn’t carry infection risks, it is recommended to remove body jewelry before labor for comfort and ease.
Risks of new piercings during pregnancy:
- Infections at piercing site
No matter what type of body piercing you choose, the procedure includes making an incision to open that body part, which allows you to wear or insert jewelry.
The opening or cut can increase the chances of infection symptoms, like redness, bleeding, itching, or swelling.
A healthy, non-pregnant body will usually recover from any side effects of such a minor incision quickly and efficiently. On the other hand, a pregnant body has a weaker immune system, so it takes more time to recover from any discomfort, infection, or disease, be it minor or severe.
Moreover, the infection may spread and travel to the bloodstream, putting your baby’s health at risk, because the immune system is too weak to fight the disease.
2. Allergy
Just like you might not know whether you’re allergic to a specific food before you‘ve had it for the first time, it can be difficult to predict whether a piercing will trigger any allergies.
Hence, you might discover that you are allergic to some metals used in jewelry, like nickel. If this is the case, it might lead to allergic reactions, for example, contact dermatitis.
As your body is already undergoing many physical changes during pregnancy, an allergic reaction can negatively affect the health of you and your baby.
3. Blood-borne diseases
During pregnancy, you are susceptible to infections, and a piercing may increase the chances of getting infected with blood-borne diseases like hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and HIV.
Blood-borne diseases from piercings are rare, but it is best to stay cautious and postpone your piercing until after pregnancy.
Although rare, it is possible to be exposed to an infected substance when getting pierced and catch blood-borne diseases. So, it’s best to stay cautious and postpone your piercing until after pregnancy.
Can I get my nose pierced while pregnant?
Studies have reported multiple risks and complications with nasal piercings, even in healthy, non-pregnant individuals.
Hence, people with enhanced susceptibility to infections, like immune systems weakened due to pregnancy, may be at a greater risk of facing complications from nasal piercings.
Nose or nasal piercings are not recommended during pregnancy, as they are close to your nasal passage and mouth.
If the piercing loosens or moves near your mouth or nostrils, you may unknowingly swallow or inhale it while breathing, eating, or sleeping.
Ingesting a piercing may pose health risks for you and your baby.
Studies also report that getting your nose pierced may cause inflammation.
Moreover, as our nasal passage provides an opening, bacteria may enter and colonize easily, especially staphylococcal organisms. This increases the chances of bacteria infecting your nose piercings.
Precautions for nose piercings during pregnancy
If you are still planning to get your nose pierced during pregnancy, it is recommended to follow certain precautions before, during, and after the procedure.
However, it’s generally recommended to avoid getting new piercings while pregnant due to the increased risk of infection and other complications. If you still decide to proceed, here are some guidelines to follow:
First and foremost, it is advised to consult your healthcare provider or gynecologist before you go for a nose piercing.
After consultation, you should get your piercing done at a reputable clinic or hospital under the supervision of doctors and nurses.
Reputable clinics and hospitals will carry out the procedure under aseptic conditions and use medical equipment to eliminate or reduce the chances of infection.
In addition, if you face any irritation, itching, or inflammation near the piercing after the procedure, it is advised to consult your doctor immediately.
After your nose piercing procedure, it is recommended to follow certain precautions, including:
- Gently clean your nasal piercing with water and soap twicedaily. Avoid excessive rubbing or touching the area.
- Keep the piercing area dry. You can use a clean, soft towel to dry the area after washing.
- Avoid touching the piercing unnecessarily. If needed, make sure you wash your hands before touching it.
- If prescribed by your doctor, use an antibacterial solution as recommended.
- Avoid going to swimming pools.
Can I get my ears pierced while pregnant?
There are two main types of ear piercing: earlobe and ear cartilage piercings. Earlobe piercing takes around four to eight weeks of healing time, while ear cartilage, the upper ear piercing, requires six weeks to nine months for healing.
Both ear piercings can be risky in pregnancy, but the upper ear or ear cartilage piercing carries more severe complication risks and longer healing time than earlobe piercings.
Hence, it is ideal to avoid both types of ear piercing if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant within one year.
Precautions for ear piercing during pregnancy:
If you plan to get your ear pierced during pregnancy, it is recommended to adhere to the following precautions:
- Before going for an ear piercing, consult with your healthcare provider for personalized advice and risk analysis.
- Get your ears pierced from a reputable clinic that has a hygienic environment and uses sterilized equipment for piercing.
- Avoid touching your ears with unwashed or contaminated hands. Wash and dry your hands before touching your piercing or earlobes.
- Gently wash your piercing two times a day with water and mild soap.
- Keep your earlobes and ear piercing dry. Use a soft, clean towel to dry your earlobes and upper cartilage after washing.
If you notice any signs of infections around your ear piercing, like redness, pain, swelling, or discharge from the piercing, it is recommended to consult your healthcare provider and piercer immediately. A weakened immune system during pregnancy may increase the risks of piercing infection.
What happens to belly button piercing during pregnancy?
We all know that the belly expands and stretches during pregnancy.
This stretching and expansion of the abdomen may lead to jewelry migration and rejection.
Hence, belly button and navel piercings may become problematic for you in the last months of pregnancy. Moreover, in obese individuals, belly button piercing may be risky from the start.
Belly button piercings are not recommended during pregnancy because they possess scarring, jewelry extrusion, and migration risk factors.
Can I get my nipples pierced during pregnancy?
Nipple piercings may not only be harmful during pregnancy, but they may also negatively affect lactation.
It may cause breastfeeding problems, like blockage of the milk duct, poor latch, and slurping. Moreover, studies also report abscess formation from nipple piercings.
As the breasts grow during pregnancy, the pierced holes in your nipples may become larger, delaying the healing time and making them more susceptible to infection.
Because of these reasons, nipple piercings are not recommended during pregnancy or lactation.
Changes in skin sensitivity during pregnancy
Did you know that our skin is the most affected organ during pregnancy? Changes in our skin sensitivity occur due to the elevation of some hormones, mainly beta-HCG, estrogen, prolactin, and progesterone.
Common skin changes reported in a clinical study on 905 pregnant women were pigmentation, vascular skin changes, and the appearance of stretch marks on the belly, thighs, buttocks, and breasts.
As pregnancy causes profound organic changes, your body becomes sensitive to skin changes.
So, pregnancy may affect how fast your skin heals from a piercing,as it is already dealing with a bunch of changes, both physiological and hormonal.
Should I take my piercings out during pregnancy?
Fully healed piercings are generally not a concern during pregnancy if they don’t cause infection or discomfort.
However, some types of piercings, like belly button, genital (intimate), and nipple piercings, may cause complications and discomfort during pregnancy.
Belly button and nipple piercings carry risks of jewelry migration and rejection as your abdomen and breasts grow during pregnancy.
Genital piercings can interfere with childbirth and cause discomfort or even tearings during the rigors of labor. Hence, it is recommended to remove intimate and navel piercings before your third trimester.
If any piercing causes severe discomfort, infection, or pain, it is advisable to consult your doctor for personalized advice on removing or keeping the piercing.
To manage minor discomfort or pain from piercings, you can follow these recommendations:
- Cold compresses: Applying a cold compress can help reduce swelling and provide pain relief.
- Keep the area clean: Gently clean the piercing area twice daily using unscented soap and water.
- Topical treatments: Instead of topical NSAIDs, you can use topical hydrocortisone cream or calamine lotion to relieve itching and irritation.
- Avoid scented products: Use unscented lotions to avoid additional irritation.
- Wear loose-fitting clothing: This helps prevent friction and irritation around the piercing area.
Femia offers the most accurate tool for determining ovulation and fertile days
Questions from the Femia community
What if I got a piercing and then found out that I was pregnant?
How soon after pregnancy can you get a piercing?
What happens if a piercing gets infected while pregnant?
The bottom line
All types of body piercing have risks of infection in both pregnant and non-pregnant women. But, as our body goes through hormonal and physical changes during pregnancy and needs more rest, relaxation, and comfort than usual, we should minimize any exposure that leads to even minor infection risks.
Hence, the key advice remains to avoid new piercings during pregnancy, so our body doesn’t encounter any more discomfort.
If you do get a new or existing piercing during pregnancy, it is crucial to watch for any signs of infection, pain, or redness and maintain hygiene. Moreover, it is recommended to consult your healthcare provider for personalized advice regarding any new or existing piercings during pregnancy.
References
- Holbrook, Jaimee, et al. “Body Piercing.” American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, vol. 13, no. 1, Feb. 2012, pp. 1–17. https://doi.org/10.2165/11593220-000000000-00000.
- De Cuyper, Christa, et al. “Piercings: Techniques and Complications.” Springer eBooks, 2018, pp. 101–19. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-77098-7_5.
Van Hoover, Cheri, et al. “Body Piercing: Motivations and Implications for Health.” Journal of Midwifery & Women’s Health, vol. 62, no. 5, Aug. 2017, pp. 521–30. https://doi.org/10.1111/jmwh.12630.
“Piercings: How to Prevent Complications.” Mayo Clinic, 1 Mar. 2024, www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/adult-health/in-depth/piercings/art-20047317.
- Meltzer, Donna I. “Complications of Body Piercing.” AAFP, 15 Nov. 2005, www.aafp.org/pubs/afp/issues/2005/1115/p2029.html#nose-piercing.
Holbrook, Jaimee, et al. “Body Piercing.” American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, vol. 13, no. 1, Feb. 2012, pp. 1–17. https://doi.org/10.2165/11593220-000000000-00000.
Clinic, Cleveland. “How to Treat an Infected Nose Piercing.” Cleveland Clinic, 30 Apr. 2024, health.clevelandclinic.org/infected-nose-piercing.
- Professional, Cleveland Clinic Medical. “Infected Ear Piercing.” Cleveland Clinic, my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/21503-infected-ear-piercing.
- American Pregnancy Association. “Piercing and Pregnancy.” American Pregnancy Association, 5 May 2022. https://americanpregnancy.org/healthy-pregnancy/is-it-safe/piercing-and-pregnancy/
Kansas has filed a lawsuit against Pfizer, alleging misinformation about its COVID-19 vaccine’s safety and effectiveness, including during pregnancy. Learn more about the claims, evidence, and implications.
Find out how quickly you will ovulate if you have already stopped taking oral contraceptives and what can affect you greatly while waiting for a fertile window.
Learn about the common causes of pink discharge, what it means, and when to consult a doctor.
