Tattoo? How soon?

[Billie]

I know your not supposed to get a tattoo while pregnant, so I'm assuming you have to wait a couple of months after giving birth before getting one as well. Am I correct?

I really need mine touched up and the company that originally did it will be in town in a couple of weeks. Otherwise, I'll have to find someone else or wait another year....

Anyone know how long you have to wait?

Thanks!!

[calpurnia]

I've heard it advised not to get it done while breastfeeding either, but I believe that this is because of the risk of infection from dirty needles eg Hep B. So personally, if you know a company is clean & safe, I would feel fine with the risks...

[rightkindofme]

Originally Posted by Billie

I know your not supposed to get a tattoo while pregnant, so I'm assuming you have to wait a couple of months after giving birth before getting one as well. Am I correct?

I really need mine touched up and the company that originally did it will be in town in a couple of weeks. Otherwise, I'll have to find someone else or wait another year....

Anyone know how long you have to wait?

Thanks!!

There is a tribe over in the Finding your Tribe section that talks about this.

There is conflicting information. You probably won't want to do it terribly quickly after giving birth because your body will still be healing/adjusting and adding an additional wound (and a tattoo is an open wound) isn't a great plan.

I understand the impatience though. I'm 12 hours in on my tat I probably have 3 hours to go and knowing that it will be another year is somewhat frustrating.

[Galatea]

Yeah, I was told it is the healing of a wound that is the stress (assuming sterile needles/no infection.) Mine needs touched up, too, but I'm not on a deadline. Is it a big touchup? If it's not very big, I'd probably do it and then just be super-neurotic about wound care.