Can You Get a Tattoo While Pregnant or Breastfeeding?

Written by Emily Halnon
Medically Reviewed by Jabeen Begum, MD on June 05, 2025
7 min read

Being pregnant is an important time in your life. You are preparing to become a parent and are responsible for the life growing inside of you. Most people avoid activities considered high-risk during pregnancy. But what’s considered high-risk isn’t always black and white. 

Tattoos are a grey area during pregnancy. There’s not a lot of research on the topic, so there’s no definite rule about its safety.

“There are no studies about getting a tattoo while pregnant, but the general sense is you should not get a tattoo while you’re pregnant or breastfeeding,” says Keely Brown, MD, at Overlake Clinics Bellegrove Ob/Gyn.

What happens to your body when you get a tattoo?

When you get a tattoo, permanent ink is inserted by an electric needle into the dermis, which is the middle layer of your skin. This process activates your body’s immune system, and it sends white blood cells, called macrophages, to clean up the ink. But most ink droplets are too large for the macrophage to break down, so they get trapped in your dermis and form the permanent art that is your tattoo. 

There are some known risks of getting a tattoo, and some of those risks can cause major complications in pregnant people. You should be aware of these risks before deciding to get a tattoo while pregnant.

Is infection a concern?

One of the main risks of being tattooed is the chance of an infection. 

“When you get a tattoo, you have an increased risk of bacterial and viral infections, including hepatitis and HIV,” Brown says. “And you could be more seriously affected by an infection when you’re pregnant, because your immune system is diminished.”

If your tattoo artist uses contaminated or dirty needles, you could be at risk of getting blood-borne infections, such as hepatitis B. A mother with hepatitis B can easily pass on the infection to her baby at birth. Babies with hepatitis B have a 90% chance of developing a lifelong infection, and 1 in 4 of them will die of health complications from the infection if it is left untreated.

Other blood-borne infections, such as hepatitis C and HIV, can also be contracted from unsterile tattoo needles. There is a 6% chance of a mother with hepatitis C passing on the infection to her child. Without treatment, the chance of a mother with HIV passing on the infection to her child is 15%-45%.

Is tattoo ink toxic?

Even though the average tattoo needle is only poked 1/8 of an inch into the skin, some tattoo ink contains heavy metals such as mercury, arsenic, and lead.

These ingredients can pose a threat to your developing baby, particularly in the first trimester when the main organs are developing. Exposure to heavy metals can affect your baby’s brain development. It can also increase your chances of having a miscarriage or stillbirth. 

Skin changes during pregnancy

When you’re pregnant, your body is constantly growing and changing to accommodate the baby inside, which can lead to many different skin changes. During pregnancy, you may get stretch marks, skin color changes, or rashes. Depending on where you get a tattoo, your ink might not look the same after you’ve given birth and your body has healed. 

Your skin can change in other ways as well. Melasma, or the temporary darkening of the skin, and increased skin sensitivity is common during pregnancy and can affect how your tattoo looks or how you react to being tattooed. 

Inability to receive epidurals

You’ve probably heard the rumor that women with lower back tattoos can’t get epidurals, but there is little evidence to support this claim. Complications of getting an epidural with a lower back tattoo are rare. 

In some cases, a lower back tattoo may cause problems. If your tattoo appears to be on red, scaly skin or is infected, leaking fluid, or still healing, your doctor will likely not give you an epidural. 

Calm any anxiety you might have on this topic by talking to your doctor. They’re the best person to guide you through this process.

If you want to get a tattoo while pregnant, do your research, and find a reputable shop before booking an appointment. Many artists won’t tattoo on pregnant women, so be sure to inform the shop and your artist ahead of time to avoid any last-minute issues. 

Here are some things to keep in mind or ask to ensure that you are getting tattooed safely:

  • Make sure the tattoo parlor you choose is clean and reputable. Read online reviews, and talk to people who have gotten tattoos there. Ask them about their experiences and if they had any concerns. 
  • In the U.S., check for any state laws and tattoo parlor regulations, and make sure the shop you choose is following those laws. 
  • Ask your artist if their ink contains any heavy metals. If it does, it’s best to wait until you give birth.
  • Ask your artist what sterilization procedures they use and how often they’re done. Sterilization machines, called autoclaves, should be used in any tattoo parlor. Sterilized bags containing needles should be opened in front of clients. 
  • Inspect the general cleanliness of the shop when you arrive. Take note of any unsanitary conditions, such as a dirty floor or an artist reusing latex gloves. Surfaces should be wiped down regularly.
  • Consider the placement of your tattoo. Avoid getting your tattoo on the stomach or hip area. The skin in those areas stretches a lot during pregnancy, which could distort your new ink later on. 
  • Take proper care of your tattoo afterward, and keep it clean to avoid infection and complications. Contact a doctor if you see any signs of a rash or infection. 

Getting a tattoo is an important decision, and when you are pregnant, this decision can affect not only you but also your baby. Before you get a tattoo while pregnant, think about all the potential risks and find out ways you can get a tattoo safely. Also, talk to your doctor and get their opinion on the issue.

If you’re interested in body art while pregnant, some safe alternatives include:

  • Henna tattoos, which use a natural dye made from dried henna leaves and last about two weeks before they start fading
  • Temporary tattoos
  • Plan the tattoo you want to get after pregnancy. It might not be advisable to get a tattoo while you’re pregnant, but you can still use the time to find a tattoo artist, make an appointment, and seek creative inspiration for your design.

There isn’t any research about getting a tattoo while breastfeeding, but some of the same risks could apply, so it’s better to hold off, Brown says. 

“Any infection you get while breastfeeding would be systemic, so it could transfer to your infant,” Brown says. 

Because tattoo ink is made from heavy metals, she adds that it’s advisable to keep your newborn away from it. To be cautious, she recommends avoiding any potentially toxic materials while breastfeeding, including tattoo ink, self tanner, and retinol. 

“While we don’t have strong data about getting a tattoo while breastfeeding, the safest path would be to wait until after you’re done,” she says.

While there’s no research about getting a tattoo while pregnant or breastfeeding, the general guidance is to avoid it. Some of the risks associated with tattoos, such as getting an infection, could cause more serious complications for pregnant people. Some safe alternatives include henna tattoos or temporary tattoos.

How long after pregnancy should you wait to get a tattoo?

If you breastfeed after pregnancy, you should wait to get a tattoo until you’re done breastfeeding. If you’re not breastfeeding, you should wait until your immune system returns to normal, which usually takes 6-12 weeks, Brown says. 

What if I got a tattoo and didn’t know I was pregnant?

“We don’t have any studies about this, but I would tell my patients that we do the best we can,” Brown says. If you got an infection, your doctor would likely change your treatment based on pregnancy, she adds.

Can pregnancy affect existing tattoos?

Because your skin changes during pregnancy, it may also alter the look of your existing tattoos. If your skin stretches or changes color where you have a tattoo, you may notice the coloring or lines of your tattoo change. Many skin changes will go back to their original state after pregnancy, though some skin changes, such as stretch marks, may shift the look of your tattoo for longer, according to Brown. She adds that she’s also had to do emergency C-sections that did affect the look of a tattoo.