Can You Get a Piercing While Pregnant? Experts Explain

When my ear piercings began to stretch out during my second pregnancy, I immediately started thinking about getting them redone. But my ob-gyn quickly talked me out of it.

As it turns out, getting new piercings while expecting is a total no-go (more on the safety reasons behind that in a second). But that leaves another question: what is the best way to manage the piercings you already have as your body changes? Here, experts walk us through the ultimate guide to navigating pregnancy and piercings.

Key Takeaways

• Can you get a piercing while pregnant? It’s not considered safe to get any type of body piercing while pregnant due to risk of infection, immune system changes and more.
• What about “old” piercings? Existing piercings that are fully healed are generally fine.
• What about existing belly button piercings during pregnancy? If you want to keep your belly button piercing while pregnant, it’s safest to switch to a medical-grade plastic version. Otherwise, you can take it out and speak with your provider about putting it back in during your six-week postpartum checkup.
• When can I put my favorite belly button ring back in? Wait at least six weeks postpartum to put your belly button piercing back in, if you took it out. Make sure to speak with your provider.
• When can I get a new piercing postpartum? You’ll want to wait at least six weeks for any ald all piercings. For a belly piercing after pregnancy, though, wait three to six months so your body can heal and the placement can be more accurate. Talk to your doctor before taking the leap.

Is It Safe to Get a Piercing While Pregnant?

No, it’s not considered safe to get a piercing while pregnant. “Many professional studios won’t do any body piercings if a woman is pregnant,” points out Denise Castellanos, CNM, lead midwife at MemorialCare Saddleback Medical Center’s Women’s Health Pavilion in Laguna Hills, California.

There are a few reasons why healthcare providers—and piercers—don’t suggest getting a piercing during this time.

Immune system changes

For starters, your immune system undergoes a lot of changes during pregnancy. “Your skin is your [ultimate] protector from outside germs,” explains Dr. Christine Greves, MD, an ob-gyn at the Winnie Palmer Hospital for Women & Babies in Orlando. “When a piercing goes through it, it affects the integrity of that defense system.” That can open up your skin, and your body as a whole, to a potential infection, Dr. Greves says.

“A new piercing is technically an open wound, which could place a woman at higher risk for localized skin infections that could spread,” Castellanos adds.

Healing resources

Your body’s natural healing process may be delayed during pregnancy. “The body’s focus is pregnancy, directing energy, blood flow and other resources to baby,” Castellanos says. “An infection could be detrimental to the wellbeing of both Mom and baby.”

Medication restrictions

Quite a few medications are off the table during pregnancy—so if you do develop an infection, you might have fewer options. “We’re limited on what we can give Mom so it doesn’t pass through the placenta and affect baby,” Dr. Greves says. Even some topical treatments are off-limits.

Risk of bloodborne pathogens

This risk of bloodborne pathogens is very low if you visit a reputable piercing studio, but it’s still worth mentioning. “When needles are involved, there’s an increased risk of transmitting bloodborne pathogens such as hepatitis B, hepatitis C and HIV,” Castellanos says.

Is It Safe to Get Your Ears or Nose Pierced While Pregnant?

Again, it’s not considered safe to get any piercing during pregnancy, including in your ears or nose. Read on for specifics.

Why can’t you get your ears pierced while pregnant?

Ear piercings are so common that it’s easy to think this is a no-biggie procedure. But healthcare providers recommend waiting until after baby arrives. In addition to the infection risk, your piercing could also look “off” post-pregnancy due to the swelling and structural changes in your facial tissue while pregnant, says Dr. Greves.

Why can’t I get my nose pierced while pregnant?

Again, you should hold off for the above-mentioned reasons. Also, keep in mind the phenomenon called pregnancy nose, where your nose may swell or even change shape while you’re expecting. “Hormonal changes shift the structure of our tissue and can make it more swollen,” Dr. Greves explains. “There’s practical stuff to consider: Is the piercing going to fit? Is it going to move after baby arrives?”

Risks of Other Body Piercings During Pregnancy

It’s ill-advised to get any type of body piercing during pregnancy, but there are specific risks to keep in mind with more-sensitive body parts. Here’s why experts suggest taking a pause when it comes to piercing your mouth, tongue, nipples and genitals.

Mouth and tongue piercings

Your mouth and tongue may be more sensitive and swollen than usual during pregnancy. “Your mouth isn’t the cleanest place—that’s risky,” Dr. Greves says. It’s also normal for your platelets—cell fragments in your blood that cluster together to form clots—to dip during pregnancy, which can make it harder for your blood to clot normally after a piercing. “You might have more bleeding after a tongue or mouth piercing,” she adds.

Nipples and genitals

Your nipples and genitals are changing and stretching during pregnancy to prepare for birth, Dr. Greves points out. These areas are also more sensitive now, which can make piercing them incredibly painful. Finally, your genitals will likely stretch a lot during childbirth if you have a vaginal delivery. “We don’t want to have a higher risk for infection there,” Dr. Greves says.

Belly Button Piercings and Pregnancy

A belly piercing and pregnancy don’t always go hand-in-hand. Whether you already had a belly button piercing before getting pregnant or are considering a new one, here’s what to know about belly piercing and pregnancy.

Getting a new belly piercing while pregnant

Just like with other body piercings, it’s not recommended that you get a new belly button piercing during pregnancy. In addition to the infection risks we already mentioned, your skin in that area will stretch as your pregnancy belly grows. “It can rip out and increase your risk for infection,” Dr. Greves warns. This could also lead to scarring.

Managing an existing belly button piercing

If you want to keep your belly button ring, healthcare providers recommend switching to a medical-grade plastic option, Castellanos says. These are typically longer than a usual belly button ring to leave room for your skin and belly to expand. “If a C-section is needed, it’s best to avoid any type of jewelry that can become embedded, which can lead to other complications for removal,” Castellanos says.

“I ordered my pregnancy belly button rings on Amazon,” says The Bump community member kp90. “They’re flexible and still somewhat cute, and they’re longer than normal rings but more comfortable. They do still show through shirts, though.”

You can also remove your belly button ring and put it back in after baby’s born. Give your body some time to heal before reinserting it. “Wait until you’re six weeks postpartum and then talk to your doctor about it,” Dr. Greves advises.

Belly piercing after pregnancy

If you’d like to get a belly piercing after pregnancy, wait three to six months and make sure to talk to your doctor. You want to give your abdominal wall time to heal, with issues like diastasis recti, skin laxity and hormone-related tissue changes making it more delicate post-pregnancy.

How to Ensure Safety for Existing Piercings

You may not need to do anything for your existing, fully healed piercings, but it’s still important to monitor them since your pregnancy body’s more sensitive. Dr. Greves suggests paying attention to your body, including looking for potential signs of infection. Reach out to your healthcare provider if you notice redness, swelling, warmth or discharge.

To Sum It Up

If you’re looking to get a new body piercing, the best idea is to wait until you’re cleared by your ob-gyn after delivery. Experts advise avoiding getting any body piercings during pregnancy to stay safe from potential infection and other complications. When it comes to an existing belly piercing and pregnancy, you can either take out your belly button ring or get a medical-grade version. In any case, make sure you feel comfortable!

How We Developed This Article

A lot of moms-to-be wonder whether it’s okay to get a new piercing during pregnancy, whether it’s an extra hole in their ears or a belly button ring. Others want to know if it’s safe to keep their existing belly piercing. To learn why experts advise against any and all piercings during pregnancy, we spoke with an ob-gyn and a certified nurse-midwife. We also combed The Bump forums for experiences from real moms in our community.

After editing, this article was vetted through fact-check and reviewed by our ob-gyn medical adviser. Learn more about how we ensure the accuracy of our content through our editorial and medical review process.

About the author: Mom of four Korin Miller has had multiple piercings, including a belly button piercing that fell out during her first pregnancy and she never put back in. An experienced health and pregnancy writer and parent, Korin adds her personal touch and experience to each article she writes. Her work has appeared in publications such as Women’s Health, Prevention, Cosmopolitan and The Washington Post.

Please note: The Bump and the materials and information it contains are not intended to, and do not constitute, medical or other health advice or diagnosis and should not be used as such. You should always consult with a qualified physician or health professional about your specific circumstances.