Can You Get Tattooed While Pregnant or Breastfeeding?

—Navigating body autonomy, safety myths, and motherhood's inked edge

Your body’s growing life, can it handle new ink?

Getting a tattoo while pregnant or breastfeeding isn't a beauty decision, it’s a medical one. But is the fear justified, or is it all hearsay?

You're balancing cravings, exhaustion, and a to-do list that includes choosing a car seat, not ink color. And yet, as you pass the mirror, that old plan for a motherhood tattoo whispers back. Can you get tattooed while pregnant? What about while breastfeeding? Google will serve you every horror story imaginable, most unverified. Meanwhile, your autonomy doesn’t feel like your own. Let’s unpack fact from fiction, so you can make empowered choices based on you, not outdated taboos.

Pregnancy, But Make It Sterile

Medical professionals don’t officially ban tattoos during pregnancy, but they don’t exactly greenlight them either. That’s because there’s limited research, not necessarily red flags (American Pregnancy Association, n.d.). The real concern? Infection. If a studio isn’t sterile or if aftercare is neglected, the risk of bloodborne pathogens like hepatitis B or C rises (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], n.d.).

That said, a reputable tattoo shop uses single-use needles, gloves, and hospital-grade disinfectants. And a responsible artist will likely ask you to return post-pregnancy, not to offend, but to protect. No one wants to gamble with the “what-ifs” when there’s more than one life at stake.

The Milk Doesn’t Magically Ink Itself

Breastfeeding brings its own fears; can tattoo ink transfer through breastmilk? The short answer: no. The ink stays in your skin. While small traces of compounds from tattoo ink may enter the bloodstream, they don’t enter breastmilk in clinically significant ways (Verywell Family, 2023).

Still, your body’s healing is different while lactating. Lower sleep, higher hormones, and fluctuating immunity can delay recovery (La Leche League International, 2023). Plus, there's always a small risk of infection or needing antibiotics that aren’t breastfeeding-safe. Translation: your decision is about recovery readiness.

Can You Trust Your Artist—And Your Timing?

If you’re determined to get tattooed while breastfeeding or pregnant, timing is everything. In the first trimester, most artists will (and should) decline; it’s when fetal development is most sensitive. The third trimester? Awkward positioning, swelling, and circulation concerns can make sessions harder.

Breastfeeding? Best to wait at least 6 weeks postpartum so your body stabilizes, your sleep is semi-reliable (or at least predictably chaotic), and you can monitor for healing issues. Ultimately, it’s not “can you get tattooed”- it’s should you get tattooed right now?

If you're in your third trimester and thinking of getting tattooed, you’re already lying on your side to sleep, you don’t need to lie in a tattoo chair too.

Regret Is Temporary—But Infection Is Forever

Yes, that motherhood tattoo idea might feel urgent. Maybe it’s the birth flower of your firstborn. Maybe it’s closure from loss. But tattoos last forever. Healing complications, however, can last longer than you'd think if your immune system isn’t at full power.

It’s okay to wait. It’s also okay to get the tattoo if you’re healthy, your artist agrees, and you’ve triple-checked the hygiene practices. Don’t rush the ritual. Remember:

Better to wait in wholeness than ink in haste.

Tattoo while pregnant is a timing issue.

Your body is already a masterpiece, it’s building life or sustaining it. Tattoos can honor that, but they aren’t required to prove it. There’s no expiration date on commemorating motherhood. And here’s the twist: when you prioritize safety and timing, the tattoo often becomes more meaningful, because it’s not reactive, it’s intentional.

We protect what we create, not by avoiding risk, but by respecting readiness.
And sometimes, the most empowering “yes” is a thoughtful “not yet.”

So, can you get tattooed while pregnant or breastfeeding? Technically, yes, sometimes. Medically, caution is wise. Emotionally, only you know what’s best. But know this: choosing to wait doesn’t make you less bold. It makes you brave in a different way.

Have you gotten a tattoo while nursing or pregnant? What did you consider before making your decision?
💬 We’d love to hear your story. Drop a comment below to share your thoughts, questions, or experience.
📲 Know someone who’s considering a tattoo during this time? Send this their way.

Sources

• American Pregnancy Association. (n.d.). Tattoos during pregnancy. Retrieved August 12, 2025, from https://americanpregnancy.org/healthy-pregnancy/is-it-safe/tattoos

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (n.d.). Hepatitis C – Prevention. Retrieved August 12, 2025, from https://www.cdc.gov/hepatitis-c/prevention

• Verywell Family. (2023). Can you get a tattoo while pregnant? Retrieved August 12, 2025, from https://www.verywellhealth.com/can-you-get-a-tattoo-while-pregnant-7505740

• La Leche League International. (2023). Postpartum recovery and breastfeeding. Retrieved August 12, 2025, from https://llli.org/breastfeeding-info/tattoos-and-breastfeeding/

• Høgsberg, T. et al. (2013). Black tattoo inks induce reactive oxygen species and DNA damage in human cells. Experimental Dermatology, 22(5), 386–391. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23800057

Is Getting Tattooed on Your Period Really More Painful?

Science Says Yes

Ever wondered why that tattoo session felt way worse than usual, even though it was the same spot, same artist, and same needle? It might have everything to do with where you're at in your menstrual cycle.

Turns out, science backs up what many women have suspected for years; tattoos (and pain in general) hurt more when you're on or just before your period. But why exactly is that?

Your Hormones Are Calling the Shots

During your menstrual and premenstrual phases, estrogen levels drop sharply. Research shows lower estrogen is directly linked to increased sensitivity to pain, making those needle pricks more intense. A study published in Pain journal found women rated their pain significantly higher during menstruation and just before, compared to mid-cycle when estrogen levels are highest (PubMed).

Inflammation Isn’t Helping

Periods also come with inflammation, thanks to compounds called prostaglandins. They're what cause cramps and bloating, but also heighten your body's pain response. Increased inflammation means even mild discomfort feels amplified (ScienceDaily).

Tattoo-Specific Research: It’s Real

Studies on tattoo pain have noted women often experience higher post-tattoo pain than men, influenced by stress, bleeding, and duration. While in-session pain intensity can vary, the hormonal swings during your period can absolutely make the experience feel sharper and more uncomfortable (PMC).

Hydration Matters, Too

Fluctuations in hydration levels, common during menstruation, can further impact how you perceive pain. Being even mildly dehydrated increases pain sensitivity, turning what might have been tolerable tattoo pain into something more intense (Frontiers).

What Can You Do?

If you're planning your next tattoo and want to minimize discomfort, timing can make a huge difference:

• Schedule your tattoo appointment after your period, closer to mid-cycle.

• Stay extra hydrated—drink plenty of water leading up to your appointment.

• Shorter sessions with breaks help if your period timing can't be avoided.

Your body isn't just playing tricks, it's biology. Understanding your cycle can help you have a better, less painful tattoo experience.

Sources:

• PubMed

• ScienceDaily

• PMC

• Frontiers in Physiology