When it comes down to body piercings and jewelry, you always know what you want and why, and you don’t have to explain to anyone why you are getting certain piercings.
However, the playbook changes when you get pregnant because, at that moment, most of the decisions you make won’t be about you, but about the bun in the oven. Thanks to raging hormones and everything else you can only blame biology on, you now find yourself super cautious about everything you eat, drink, and do with your body.
But what happens when your love for body piercings grows stronger, and you now have this strong need for a lip piercing? Should you go ahead to book an appointment with your piercer, or is this the time for you to dial back on piercing? Is the lip piercing safe for your unborn baby? Is now a good time to have the lip piercing redone?
Is it safe to get a lip piercing while you’re pregnant?
For the most part, body piercings are safe, but there is a risk of viral or bacterial infections, especially in pregnant women.
And if you have a history of viral fever blisters of impetigo from bacterial infections, the risk of even more serious infections will be higher. There is also a higher risk of scarring after piercing.
The biggest cause for concern, however, comes from the compromised or weakened immune system during pregnancy.
With a weakened immune system and the high risk of Hepatitis C associated with body piercings, getting a lip piercing might not be the most appealing thing for you to do while pregnant. With such risks in mind, most piercing places and professionals recommend against lip piercing.
You’ll also be required to sign a document saying that you are not pregnant.
In fact, some of the piercing places are known to flat out refuse to give piercings to pregnant women.
Potential Risks and Problems
Some of the risks that come with lip piercings include:
Infections
The risk of viral and bacterial infections is very high during pregnancy. Any infection you get goes to your bloodstream directly, and that means that your unborn child might be affected.
Some of the infections you could contract from the piercing include Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, or even HIV, especially if an unsanitary needle is used.
Healing takes long
The least amount of time it will take for your lip piercing to heal is three months, but it could take significantly longer for the healing to take place.
During this time, the internal bit of the piercing is susceptible to infections, and if you don’t follow the post-piercing care instructions, you will end up with an unhealed piercing that puts your whole body and the unborn child at risk.
Then there is the added stress of a healing piercing on your lip. With all these considerations in mind, it would be a good idea for you to wait until after your baby is born and weaned for you to get the piercing.
The other risks include inflamed skin and blood loss. Oral piercings can cause a significant amount of bleeding and injury because anything can happen to your lips, from getting a thread from your clothes pulling the lip ring while dressing or biting your lip.
Tips and Advice for Lip Piercings When Pregnant
If you still wish to get a lip piercing while pregnant, here are some of the tips and tricks that will make your life easier and keep your child safe.
- Use surgical stainless steel, titanium, or 18-carat gold for jewelry.
- Don’t change the jewelry as the piercing heals.
- Avoid cleaning the piercing with harsh chemicals.
- Keep secretions from the piercing as much as you can
- Remove the jewelry immediately if you start bleeding.
- Get the piercing done by a professional with a state-registered studio.
- Don’t get the piercing after your second trimester.
Conclusion
Next time you want to get a body piercing and the piercing professionals flat out refuse to oblige to your needs, don’t hold it against them.
In fact, they are doing you a great favor. Remember that your body is working extra hard to keep you healthy while growing another human.
A new piercing will be heavy on your body. If you get that piercing, healing will take longer, and if you get an infection, the side effects will be dire.
Also, do we need to mention how annoying everything uncomfortable feels when you are pregnant, and how the lip piercing could make your life a disaster?
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Stephanie is a jewelry lover when she was a teenager. Her major was fashion design when she was in college. She is a jewelry designer at SOQ Jewelry and other design companies. Now she is also a writer for our website. She writes a lot of designs&brands posts with very actionable tips.