Tattoos and Epidurals

gillbritton

When I was 17, I was a dumba$$ and went out and got myself a silly lower-back tattoo. It goes right down my spine. Now, people keep asking me if the tattoo will affect my ability to get an epidural when baby comes.

Anyone have any experience with this? I've heard that some docs are completely OK giving an epi even if there is a tattoo 'in the way,' while others are very hesitant or straight out refuse.

MamaC2b2011

I'm pretty sure this is an urban legend, and having a lower back tattoo does not affect you being able to get an epi. Just ask your ob?

aesf

i was told by an L&D nurse its a load of crap.

christa62908

I have a lower back tattoo and had an epidural and it was no problem! Urban myth I agree!

MilMom2B

Agree with PPs. I don't know for sure since I neither have a tattoo nor want an epidural. But, I have heard that this is just an urban legend. And I don't know anyone in real life (though I know several friends with lower back tattoos that got epidurals) that ever had this issue. If you're concerned, bring it up with your OB, I'm sure s/he will know from previous experience if the anesthesiologist at your hospital has a stance on this rumor. 

damabo80

<------tramp stamp lady here as well ( I still like mine)

I haven't heard anything that it will cause an issue. I wouldn't suggest getting a new tat there (or anywhere) right before  delivery, but I've had mine for over 10 years, so I think I'm good to go.

Mrs.Florea-2-B

damabo80:

<------tramp stamp lady here as well ( I still like mine)

I haven't heard anything that it will cause an issue. I wouldn't suggest getting a new tat there (or anywhere) right before  delivery, but I've had mine for over 10 years, so I think I'm good to go.

 LOL...Same here, I think thats a myth, tats are more common now a days and lowerback "tramp-stamps" more so, lol, I would'nt be worried at all....

tjmtjm

Yay for tramp stamps!  I have one too!

A lot of my friends with ts' have had epidurals with no problem...so I'm pretty sure you are good.

banderson725

I have one down there, and I don't think it will be a problem. Whoever told you that is so crazy! HAHAHA

FutureMrsWittig

Sounds like something someone's mama made up to scare them out of a tattoo.  I have a tattoo on my back and it will not affect my ability to get an epi if I want to.

lucylea

My anesthesiologist actually gave me a hard time about my lower back tattoo while giving me my spinal block.  While laughing he told me since I had been "wild and crazy and gotten a tattoo" I'd just have to have my c-section without pain meds! :-) It really lightened the mood since the spinal block was the one part I was nervous about.  It obviously didn't effect it and I agree with the PPs that I've never known anyone who had a problem with it.  

Kierasmommy09

I think the only issue is if the ink is new or still newish ( a year or so old). Even then the only problem is the ink "getting into you" more than skin deep. How high up is the tattoo, because they put the epi in higher than I expected with DD. (I thought it would be lower back but it was closer to mid back.)

mattnlinz03

I have one as do many of my friends and we all had epidurals with no problems.  Mine was almost a year old and they never said a word to me about it.

hellaine

As people have said, it won't be an issue.  My back is done up and all I got were jokes from my nurse about the placement of the needle on a character marked on my back.

I can't imagine a fresh tattoo would be an issue, reason being I can't imagine any tattoo artist in their right mind who would tattoo a women who is (especially) in her third trimester.  Not allowed to legally in the shops out here but I suppose, like tattoo health laws, they can vary from state to state.