Piercing While Pregnant or Breastfeeding? Here's Why We Say "Wait"

Our policy is to wait until after pregnancy before performing a new piercing. A piercing is an elective wound that requires your body to heal, and pregnancy already places additional demands on your body.

Even when a piercing is performed correctly using sterile technique and quality jewelry, no piercing is completely risk-free. Infection, unexpected swelling, irritation, allergic reactions, or other complications are always possible. Because the procedure is elective, we believe postponing it is the more responsible choice.

No. Our policy applies throughout the entire pregnancy, regardless of trimester. We recommend waiting until after delivery and allowing your body appropriate recovery time before considering a new piercing.

We appreciate medical guidance, but individual piercing studios may maintain policies that are more conservative than medical clearance alone requires. Even with your healthcare provider's approval, we may still choose to postpone an elective piercing until after pregnancy.

Our policy is also to wait while actively breastfeeding, particularly during the early postpartum period. Your body is recovering from pregnancy and birth while also supporting lactation, and we prefer to allow that process to take priority before introducing a new wound to heal.

A piercing itself doesn't automatically affect milk production or make breast milk unsafe. Our decision to postpone piercing is primarily about taking a cautious approach to elective procedures, healing, and the possibility of complications—not because the piercing somehow enters or contaminates breast milk.

Our policy isn't based solely on where the piercing is located. Even an ear, nostril, or other non-breast piercing creates a wound that requires healing and carries some risk of complications.

As your abdomen changes, traditional navel jewelry may become uncomfortable or place pressure on the piercing. Have your piercer evaluate the area if you notice tightness, pulling, thinning tissue, redness, or discomfort. Jewelry may need to be changed or removed depending on your anatomy and how the piercing responds.

Seek appropriate professional care rather than trying to manage a suspected infection yourself. Contact your healthcare provider and let your piercer know what's happening. Don't automatically remove the jewelry if you suspect an infection unless you're instructed to do so by an appropriate professional.

Because getting a new piercing can wait. Pregnancy, postpartum recovery, and breastfeeding are temporary periods, while a well-planned piercing can be enjoyed for years. We'd rather postpone an elective procedure than introduce an avoidable healing concern during a time when your body already has plenty to do.

If a healing piercing genuinely needs a jewelry adjustment, don't ignore it simply because you're pregnant. Contact your piercer. Proper jewelry fit can be important for avoiding additional irritation, and they can determine the safest approach for your situation.

Possibly. Changing jewelry in a healthy, established piercing is different from creating a new piercing. Your piercer can evaluate the piercing and determine whether a jewelry change is appropriate.

No. Nipple piercing should be postponed while breastfeeding. In addition to creating a fresh wound, the area is directly involved in feeding and milk production and needs adequate time after lactation has ended before piercing.

Many people with healed nipple piercings are able to breastfeed successfully. Previous piercing can sometimes affect milk flow or scar tissue, but experiences vary considerably from person to person.