Hmm.. Piercings you can't take out?

ctygrlstl · June 2011

This is in relation to the "Taking out facial piercings" question. I didn't want to post this question on someone else's question, but they're related. They make you take out your piercings/jewelry for a C-section, but what about the piercings that are not removable, specifically micro-dermals. I have 2 right next to my coochie, and they don't come out. Ever. If you don't want the look anymore, you let the skin grow over and cover the anchor completely. But if you wanted them removed, they'd have to be surgically cut out because your skin grows into the piercing to anchor it. So... then what? Any ideas or experience?

NurseLaLa · June 2011

They won't (can't) make you take out any piercings. Just tell them up front that you have them, let them explain any risks they're concerned with, and let them know you are aware of them and understand, but refuse to take them out and they can write that down in their documentation to cover their butts if need be :P

buckyfan30 · June 2011

I agree with pp, they'll just document it to cover themselves.

lizzay · June 2011

Microdermals are made of titanium which is safe in MRIs and ORs.

Also, they are VERY easy to remove, I had to remove the one on my sternum after some trauma to it. I would never let the skin grow over it, it would look WAY worse than a scar. And they don't have to surgically cut it out, just pop it out, which isn't comfortable, but isn't minor SX.

I had mine for over 2 years and once I got pregnant my body started to give me trouble with it and I also had a drunk friend 'push' it like a button (they got slapped) so we just removed it. I still have a few surface piercings, not micros, and have had no problems with them and won't be removing them for delivery, pretty much because I don't want to chance them closing.

staticgirl77 · June 2011

Follow up question: I have a c-hood piercing I've had for like 14 years now and my OB said it needs to come out before i go to the hospital in labor, in case I have to have a c- section. However, it's a titanium barbell and not stainless steel. Does this make a difference, as far as being safe for surgery? I may stiill take it out as i am a first time mom, i am not sure what to expect action wise in my nether- regions, but I will probably have to go to a piercer since it hasn't been out in like 8 years, when i got a larger gauge and switched from SS. Also, do you think it will close? I plan on putting it back in ASAP. Since i have had it so long, I am thinking it won't heal that quickly, if ever. Thanks!

Corbin30 · June 2011

staticgirl77:
Follow up question: I have a c-hood piercing I've had for like 14 years now and my OB said it needs to come out before i go to the hospital in labor, in case I have to have a c- section. However, it's a titanium barbell and not stainless steel. Does this make a difference, as far as being safe for surgery? I may stiill take it out as i am a first time mom, i am not sure what to expect action wise in my nether- regions, but I will probably have to go to a piercer since it hasn't been out in like 8 years, when i got a larger gauge and switched from SS. Also, do you think it will close? I plan on putting it back in ASAP. Since i have had it so long, I am thinking it won't heal that quickly, if ever. Thanks!

I have one as well, and this is my third kid with it in. My midwife mentioned the whole "In case of csection" thing and I told her they were welcome to find a bolt cutter if it came to that, but that it wasn't coming out prior. They can't make you, and if you want to keep it, I suggest you leave it in. They heal closed pretty quickly...I once took it out, many years ago, because I was embarassed to get a pap smear with it in while on active duty military. By the time I got back to the barracks it was really hard to put back in.

miller4285 · June 2011

I assume microdermals are made from safe metal. The reason for removal is not only MRIs...but IF (godforbid) you code and have to be "shocked".....metals will interfere with that shock going to your heart....and cause severe burns where the metal is on your body.

I don't honwestly know if titanium would redirect that shock away from the heart (where you need it) or burn you.

I am a nurse....but people I've shocked have not been the piercing or microdermal type, usually lol!

birdy09 · June 2011

I used to work in L&D and have seen piercings that have to be removed in the delivery room (usually c-hood piercings). It is not fun to try to get bolt cutters or other tools (we sometimes had to call maintenance for equipment!) into a sensitive area when everything is stretched out and swollen & a baby is trying to come out. Very painful for mom & extremely difficult for whomever is trying to remove the piercing. Just from seeing how terrible it is to to remove them, I would get anything in the groin area removed ahead of time...

drgrimsrud · June 2011

I have 2 piercings down below, and neither had to be removed for my last c-section. But this may be part of the hospital policy. They did discuss whether or not it needed to come out, but decided it didn't. My doctor this time around has not said anything about it needing to come out either.