The Best (and Worst) Places to Get a Tattoo While Pregnant

If you're thinking about getting a tattoo while pregnant, you're not alone. In fact, more and more pregnant women are choosing to get inked while carrying their bundle of joy. But where should you get your tattoo? Here's a list of the best (and worst) places to get a micro tattoo while pregnant.

The Best Places to Get a Tattoo While Pregnant

1. The small of your back. This is a great place to get a tattoo while pregnant because it's easy to reach and there's not a lot of flesh to stretch as your belly grows. Plus, it's a sexy spot that will make your partner go wild (just make sure you can still reach it when you're nine months pregnant!).

2. Your ribs. Again, this is another great spot that's easy to reach and doesn't involve a lot of stretching skin. However, it can be quite painful, so make sure you have a high pain tolerance before opting for this location.

3. Your upper thigh. This is another popular spot for pregnant women, as it's easy to reach and not too painful. Plus, it'll be easy to hide if you start feeling self-conscious about your growing body later on in your pregnancy.

4. Your shoulder blade. This is a great place for a small tattoo that you want to be able to show off or hide depending on your mood (and outfit). It can be painful, but the results are worth it.

The Worst Places to Get a Tattoo While Pregnant

1. Your stomach. Unless you want a permanent reminder of your pregnancy pooch, steer clear of getting inked on your stomach while pregnant. The skin in this area is especially stretchy and sensitive, which means the tattoo will likely fade quickly and become distorted as your belly expands. Plus, it will be excruciatingly painful as your skin stretches over your expanding uterus.

2. Your breasts. Like your stomach, the skin on your breasts is also stretchy and sensitive during pregnancy. Getting a tattoo here could lead to fading ink and distortion, so it's best avoided altogether.

3. Your lower back/butt. This area is notoriously difficult to reach when you're pregnant (unless you have someone else do it for you). Plus, the skin in this area is quite sensitive—meaning the pain will be intense and the chances of infection are high (unless the person giving the tattoo takes extreme precautions). So unless you're prepared for all of that, avoid getting inked here while pregnant, or better yet—just wait until after baby arrives. And seriously, who wants their child's name written on their butt?

4. Your feet (or your hands). These areas are particularly sensitive during pregnancy due partly to the increased blood flow but also because they're constantly being used (and stretched) throughout the day, which can cause swelling. Tattoos in these areas are also more likely to fade quickly due to all the activity.

So unless you want faded ink or swelling hands/feet, avoid these areas while pregnant. Or better yet—just wait until after baby arrives. You won't regret it.

Wrap up!

If you're thinking about getting a tattoo while pregnant, there are some things you should consider before making your decision. Where on your body should you get the tattoo? Will it be visible or hidden? How big or small do you want it? And most importantly—are you prepared for the pain?

Keep all of these factors in mind when deciding whether or not to get a tattoo while pregnant—and if you do decide to go through with it, make sure you choose an experienced artist who takes precautions against infection. After all, no one wants their unborn child exposed to harmful bacteria. So take care when choosing both your artist and placement site.