Can I keep my nipple piercings in during pregnancy?

Keeping Nipple Piercings During Pregnancy: What You Need to Know
As pregnancy brings about significant changes to a woman’s body, many expectant mothers wonder about the safety and practicality of keeping their nipple piercings. The answer is nuanced, involving considerations of health, comfort, and breastfeeding.
Health Risks and Comfort Concerns
During pregnancy, a woman’s body undergoes various transformations, particularly in the breast area. As the breasts grow and change, the existing holes from nipple piercings may not heal completely, leading to larger openings that can become more susceptible to infection. Experts generally advise against keeping nipple piercings during this time, primarily due to the increased risk of complications. The discomfort associated with the growing breasts can also make wearing jewelry in this sensitive area less than ideal.
Breastfeeding Implications
One of the most critical factors to consider is how nipple piercings can affect breastfeeding. While it is possible to breastfeed with healed nipple piercings, the presence of jewelry can pose risks. For instance, there is a concern that jewelry could become a choking hazard for the baby during nursing. Therefore, many health professionals recommend removing nipple jewelry by the second trimester to ensure a safer breastfeeding experience.
Moreover, nipple piercings can potentially impact the milk ejection reflex due to nerve damage or scarring, which may complicate breastfeeding for some mothers. While the majority of women can still breastfeed successfully with healed piercings, the general consensus is to prioritize safety and comfort by removing the jewelry before nursing.
Conclusion: A Personal Decision
Ultimately, the decision to keep nipple piercings during pregnancy is a personal one, but it should be made with careful consideration of the potential health risks and breastfeeding challenges. If you already have healed piercings, it may be advisable to remove the jewelry as your pregnancy progresses, especially as you approach the breastfeeding stage. Consulting with a healthcare provider can provide tailored advice based on individual circumstances, ensuring both mother and baby remain safe and healthy during this transformative time.

Do your nipples stay hard after piercing?

Do nipple piercings make your nipples hard forever? Nipple piercings will usually cause the nipple to protrude slightly, and this tends to be permanent. It won’t necessarily make them constantly hard, but it will make them more prominent, which is one of reasons people with inverted nipples choose to get them pierced.

How long will my nipples be sore after piercing?

There will be some pain when you get your nipple pierced. It’ll typically be sore for a week after the piercing. You may also bleed, itch, or see swelling or discharge from the wound. Your nipple may feel sore or irritated as it heals over the next few months.

Can I pump with my nipple rings in?

Instead of switching to formula, you can either remove your nipple rings during feedings or pump and feed your baby breast milk from a bottle. If you want to continue wearing nipple rings while you breastfeed, then switch to soft, flexible BioPlast straight barbells if you haven’t already done so.

How quickly do nipple piercings close?

Nipple piercings are one of the fastest piercing to close. When they’re new, they can close in minutes. Even after a few years, nipple piercings can close inside of a week without jewellery. For some, the hole can stay open for years on its own, although this is rare.

Do nipple piercings ever stop crusting?

Typically, crusting is more frequent or noticeable in the first weeks or months after piercing and gradually reduces over time. However, crusting can occur at any time during healing; many nipple piercings are healed after 6 to 9 months, but some take 12 months or longer to fully heal.

Do I have to take out my nipple piercings to breastfeed?

First, always remove your jewelry before you breastfeed. Nipple jewelry is a choking hazard for your nursing baby. Suction from your baby’s mouth could dislodge your ring or stud and cause a serious problem. And even if your jewelry stays put, it could damage your baby’s mouth tissue.

Can you pump with nipple piercings in?

A breast pump can be a valuable tool when breastfeeding with nipple piercings. If you experience leakage due to the extra holes created by piercings, or if your baby is struggling with the fast flow, using a pump can help regulate the flow before feeding.

Do I have to take my nipple piercings out for an ultrasound?

You don’t need to remove for ultrasound except if the piercing is literally in the spot they’re scanning. And even then, we can often work around it.

What happens if you have nipple piercings and get pregnant?

Your immune system in general is dampened during pregnancy, meaning that you might experience irritation and general ‘grumpiness’ of your existing piercing while pregnant during those months.

When should I remove my nipple piercings when pregnant?

Because of these reasons, you should remove nipple piercings no later than the second trimester of pregnancy and as early as you discover that you’re pregnant. “The nipples start going through changes as early as the first trimester, so I don’t see a reason to wait to take out the piercings,” advises Dr.