If you’re
pregnant and have body piercings, you may well wonder if you can keep them in until your baby arrives. Or perhaps you’re thinking about the future, and want to know how it may work if you’re a
new mum or pregnant with a belly ring, nipple or genital piercing.
The short answer is that each person is
unique. You may not have any problems with your body jewellery during pregnancy. Or, you might find you want to remove it.
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Here is what to bear in mind if you are
pregnant with a belly ring, a nipple ring or you have your clitoris pierced.
Should I take out my piercings in pregnancy?
Most women choose not to remove their piercings. But there are a few things to look out for.
Common signs of an
infected nipple piercing or belly ring include redness, swelling, pain and discharge. If you notice any of these, you should remove the piercing (or see a piercing specialist to do it for you), and visit a doctor for
treatment (Preslar et al 2023).
If your belly button piercing or nipple piercing is rubbing on your
clothes, you might prefer to remove it for the rest of your pregnancy. You can insert the ring every now and then to stop the piercing from closing. If the hole closes, you can always get it pierced again once the baby arrives
(AAP 2023).
What to know if you’re pregnant with a belly ring
It can take up to 12 months for the belly to fully heal after getting a navel ring. This means you’ll need to watch out for infection if you got your piercing shortly
before you became pregnant.
As your
belly button changes during pregnancy, you may notice your belly ring starting to move closer to the surface. You might also see that it looks like it’s going to come out. This can happen because the skin is pulled tight as the tummy grows. This is called migration or rejection, and it means it’s time to remove your belly ring
(AAP 2023).
If your piercing is migrating, or being rejected, you may notice:
- The skin around your pregnant belly button is sore and tender.
- You can see the jewellery through your skin as it’s being pulled so tight.
- The skin between the piercing openings is flaking, peeling, red, inflamed or hard.
(AAP 2020)
Some women swap their belly ring for a barbell made of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), which is a kind of flexing plastic. These are longer than the usual belly bars and rings. Plus, they can bend as the tummy grows. These are safe to use in pregnancy
(WTE 2021).
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When it comes to
giving birth, if you have a
caesarean you will be asked to tape your navel ring or remove it.
What to know if you have pierced nipples while pregnant
You do not need to remove jewellery from pierced nipples during pregnancy unless you want to, or if it gets infected.
Breastfeeding with a nipple piercing
There are a few issues to be aware of if you want to
breastfeed with a piercing. Your baby may have problems attaching around the metal, which could cause them to injure their mouth
(ABA 2022). Part of the jewellery could also come loose and be a
choking hazard (ABA 2022).
If you choose to keep your piercing in while
breastfeeding, your baby may also have trouble
latching on. They may not feed well, and they could have a harder time sucking.
As a result, some breastfeeding organisations advise taking out a nipple piercing once baby arrives
(LLLI 2023). Others suggest removing the piercing while feeding, then putting it back in as soon as the feed is finished.
(ABA 2022). What to know if you have genital piercings in pregnancy
Your piercing may not cause you any problems during your pregnancy. Some women find they prefer to remove it, though. This can be because:
- Pregnant women often have an increase in vaginal discharge.
- Pregnant women can have vaginal thrush more often.
- Pregnancy increases blood flow to the vulva and labia, making the area swollen (PBB 2022).
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Not much research has been done into genital piercings and
labour. Your
maternity care provider may suggest taking out your genital body jewellery as your due date nears. This is because of concerns that it could get caught during the birth, or that the skin might tear
(Angel 2021).
Can I get pierced while I’m pregnant?
If you are thinking about getting any new piercings, you should wait until your pregnancy is over. All piercings carry a risk of
infection, which can affect your baby’s health
(Chan et al 2018). Most piercers will turn down your request because of this
(AAP 2023).
Read more on pregnancy: Don’t forget to
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