Health and piercing professionals strongly advise against getting a new belly button piercing during pregnancy due to safety risks for both the person and the developing fetus. Pregnancy initiates numerous biological changes, particularly concerning the body’s defenses, making a fresh wound ill-advised. Waiting until after delivery and postpartum recovery is the safest course of action for a new body modification.
Safety Concerns for New Piercings During Pregnancy
A new belly button piercing creates an open wound that is immediately vulnerable. The body’s immune system is naturally suppressed during gestation to prevent the mother’s body from rejecting the fetus. This physiological change significantly increases the risk of a localized infection at the piercing site.
An infection can become systemic, potentially requiring strong antibiotic treatment or hospitalization. Though rare, unsterile equipment poses the risk of contracting blood-borne viruses, such as Hepatitis B, C, or HIV, which can cross the placenta to the fetus.
Hormonal fluctuations during pregnancy can lengthen the average healing time for a navel piercing, which normally takes six months to a full year. Increased blood volume and changes in circulation may contribute to excessive bleeding or bruising during the procedure. Furthermore, rapidly stretching abdominal skin can lead to migration or rejection of the jewelry before the piercing heals, causing discomfort and permanent scarring.
Managing an Existing Navel Piercing
If a belly button piercing is fully healed—typically a year or more before conception—it is generally safe to keep it during pregnancy. However, as the abdomen expands, the skin around the piercing will stretch and may become irritated or uncomfortable. Standard metal jewelry should usually be replaced or removed around the second trimester, or when it begins to feel tight.
Specialized maternity jewelry is available, made from flexible, non-metallic materials like Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) or Bioplast. These flexible bars allow the jewelry to move and adapt as the belly grows, reducing the risk of tearing or migration. If the piercing causes pain, redness, or irritation, it should be removed completely to prevent further complications.
Keeping the area clean with mild soap and water is important, especially as the skin stretches and the piercing may become more exposed or sensitive. If the jewelry is removed entirely, a healed piercing may still close, so some individuals periodically re-insert the jewelry or use a non-metallic retainer to keep the channel open. Hospitals typically require all jewelry to be removed before delivery, particularly if an emergency cesarean section is needed.
Postpartum Piercing Timeline
Since a new piercing is not recommended during pregnancy, the next consideration is when it is safe to proceed after childbirth. It is generally advised to wait at least three to six months postpartum before getting a new navel piercing. This waiting period allows the body to recover from the physical stress of pregnancy and delivery.
This time allows the uterus to shrink back to its pre-pregnancy size and abdominal skin elasticity to normalize before a new piercing is accurately placed. Hormone levels also need to return to a baseline state to ensure proper wound healing. If breastfeeding, some piercers recommend waiting until that process is finished due to concerns about infection and the potential use of certain medications if a complication arises.