Can You Get a Tattoo While Pregnant?
It's generally advised to wait — the main concerns are infection risk and untested inks, and most studios won't tattoo during pregnancy.
The full answer
There's no proof that a tattoo will harm your baby, but there are real unknowns, which is why the cautious advice is usually to wait. Two things drive it. First, infection: needles or equipment that aren't sterile can spread bloodborne infections like hepatitis B or HIV, and even sealed inks can carry germs that cause skin infections. Second, the ink: tattoo pigments aren't tested for use in pregnancy and could, in theory, be absorbed. There's also a practical point — a new tattoo on the belly or hips can be distorted as your skin stretches, and doctors avoid placing an epidural through a tattoo that is still healing or infected. Many tattoo artists also decline to tattoo pregnant clients. If you do go ahead, use a licensed studio with sterile, single-use equipment.
Safer alternatives
- Most guidance is to wait until after pregnancy (and often after breastfeeding)
- If you proceed, use a licensed studio with sterile, single-use needles and ink
- Avoid placements over a changing belly or lower back
When to avoid: Skip it if a studio can't show strict single-use hygiene, or if you have any skin infection or pregnancy complication.
Tattoos by trimester
| Stage | What changes |
|---|---|
| First trimester | Most guidance suggests waiting. The concerns are infection risk from any skin-breaking procedure and the fact that tattoo inks haven't been studied in pregnancy — an absence of data rather than known harm. |
| Second trimester | Unchanged. Many artists decline to tattoo pregnant clients as a matter of policy, so it's often decided for you. |
| Third trimester | Same position, with an additional practical point: if you're planning an epidural, tattoos over the lower back are worth discussing with your provider in advance. |
Common questions about tattoos in pregnancy
Can I get a tattoo while pregnant?
Most guidance suggests waiting until after pregnancy. The reasoning is infection risk and the absence of safety data on inks, rather than evidence of harm. Many studios also decline on their own policy.
What if I already have tattoos?
Existing tattoos are not a problem. The question is only about getting new work done during pregnancy.
Does a lower-back tattoo affect having an epidural?
It's a common worry and generally not considered a barrier, particularly for healed tattoos. It's still worth mentioning to your provider or anaesthetist beforehand so it's discussed rather than raised for the first time in labour.
How getting a tattoo fits your own pregnancy is worth a quick check with your midwife or provider. The general rules on overheating, falls and exercise are in our pregnancy safety guide, and you can track your pregnancy with the How Far Along Am I? calculator and the week-by-week guide.
Frequently asked questions
- Can you get a tattoo while pregnant?
- It's generally advised to wait — the main concerns are infection risk and untested inks, and most studios won't tattoo during pregnancy. There's no proof that a tattoo will harm your baby, but there are real unknowns, which is why the cautious advice is usually to wait. Two things drive it. First, infection: needles or equipment that aren't sterile can spread bloodborne infections like hepatitis B or HIV, and even sealed inks can carry germs that cause skin infections. Second, the ink: tattoo pigments aren't tested for use in pregnancy and could, in theory, be absorbed. There's also a practical point — a new tattoo on the belly or hips can be distorted as your skin stretches, and doctors avoid placing an epidural through a tattoo that is still healing or infected. Many tattoo artists also decline to tattoo pregnant clients. If you do go ahead, use a licensed studio with sterile, single-use equipment.
- Why is getting a tattoo not recommended in pregnancy?
- There's no proof that a tattoo will harm your baby, but there are real unknowns, which is why the cautious advice is usually to wait. Two things drive it. First, infection: needles or equipment that aren't sterile can spread bloodborne infections like hepatitis B or HIV, and even sealed inks can carry germs that cause skin infections. Second, the ink: tattoo pigments aren't tested for use in pregnancy and could, in theory, be absorbed. There's also a practical point — a new tattoo on the belly or hips can be distorted as your skin stretches, and doctors avoid placing an epidural through a tattoo that is still healing or infected. Many tattoo artists also decline to tattoo pregnant clients. If you do go ahead, use a licensed studio with sterile, single-use equipment.
- When should I avoid getting a tattoo during pregnancy?
- Skip it if a studio can't show strict single-use hygiene, or if you have any skin infection or pregnancy complication.
Sources
This answer was checked against the following public guidance. Advice can differ between countries; your midwife, doctor or pharmacist can apply it to you.