Navel piercing can be beautiful, exciting and sexy. However, when you are pregnant, the belly button can be a nuisance. When the abdominal region begins to stretch and widen, the jewelry can cause pain and even an infection. Fortunately, there are some simple ways to do, manage, or remove a belly button piercing during pregnancy.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Caring for the Piercing
Step 1. Clean the jewelry regularly
If you want to avoid infections, it is essential that it stays clean and sanitized. Take it off at least once a week (if the piercer has told you you can safely do this) and wash it with warm soapy water.
- Rub it firmly to disinfect the ring or bar jewelry. Dry it with kitchen paper or a towel before reinserting it.
- Use a mild soap to wash it. Those that contain floral scents or artificial additives can increase the risk of infection.
Step 2. Disinfect the navel and surrounding area
In addition to the daily shower / bath, it is important to clean and sanitize the umbilical region to prevent infections. Take a towel every day and wet it with soap and water, then wash the area thoroughly.
- At the end, gently wipe the navel with paper towels or a dry cloth. Pat your skin gently and avoid pressing too hard.
- Have a cortisone lotion or cream handy that you can apply whenever the area feels red or dry. Read the product label to make sure there are no antibiotics or other ingredients that are unsafe for a pregnant woman.
- Do not use your fingernails or fingers to scratch the navel, as this may irritate it.
Step 3. Don't touch the jewelry
Avoid teasing or playing with it, as pregnancy makes the skin more supple and more susceptible to stretch and tear.
- Not only must you avoid touching the piercing, but you must also prevent anyone else from touching, kissing or licking it. The exchange of bacteria and / or fluids around the area that needs to heal greatly increases the risk of infections.
- If you have a habit of touching the piercing area or someone else accidentally touches it, you need to wash it immediately with warm soapy water.
Step 4. Wear comfortable clothing
The navel piercing will likely rub against the shirt as the abdomen begins to grow and the clothing becomes tighter. The same goes for maternity tight pants which tend to have a very high waist and which make it easier for the jewel to get caught in the fabric. Make sure that any of your garments, shirts or pants, have a circumference of an extra couple of inches in the waist area, so that the piercing has some free space and does not cling to clothing.
- When buying clothes, go to specialized maternity clothing stores. There you can find shirts and pants of larger sizes. Do not choose clothing that is too tight if you have the piercing, there is a risk that the jewel can get stuck.
- If the shirt is too tight, the piercing can snap and tear. If this happens, see your doctor as soon as possible. Do not take any antibiotic medications to treat a serious wound.
Step 5. Avoid tight tights, leotards and belts
During pregnancy, the abdomen begins to press against old clothing and the risk of the piercing becoming hooked to the tissues and lacerating is very high. If this happens, contact your doctor and do not take over-the-counter medicines or antibiotics if you need to manage a serious problem.
Step 6. Do a sea salt wash
It is a home remedy that reduces the risk of infection and the spread of germs. If you have already taken antibiotics prescribed by your doctor, do not follow this method; it could interfere with medications.
- Add 5g of salt to 240ml of hot water and mix with a spoon.
- Take a washcloth and soak it in the solution, then gently pat it on the affected area. Make sure you wash your navel and surrounding area thoroughly. You can also spray the mixture with your hands, but make sure you've washed them beforehand.
- When finished, pat the skin dry with a clean cloth or kitchen paper. wait until it is completely dry before putting on your clothes again.
Step 7. Use a hot or cold pack
Heating or cooling the piercing area can reduce inflammation and the risk of infection. You can buy either a hot water bottle or a cold pack, or use a sturdy plastic bag.
- If you prefer to use the plastic bag, make sure it is sturdy enough. Sometimes the cheap ones can have leaks and you need to avoid scalding or freezing the already inflamed area.
- Pour hot or cold water into the bag. Lie down and lift your shirt. Gently pat the bag on your skin. Do not press too hard so as not to further inflame the area.
- Once the compress has been applied and the pain is relieved, wait for the umbilical region to recover to its normal body temperature before lowering the shirt again.
Step 8. Apply tea tree or emu oil
Both are excellent home remedies that offer some benefits. Carefully apply a small amount to the piercing area. Wipe clean with a damp cloth or kitchen paper. Make sure the area is completely dry before putting on your clothes again. If you notice any adverse reactions to the oil, contact your doctor right away.
Part 2 of 3: Remove the Piercing
Step 1. Decide whether or not to remove the jewel
Many times pregnant women complain of having sensitive, inflamed or irritated skin and a navel piercing can amplify this negative feeling. If you also feel discomfort in the umbilical area during pregnancy, you should remove the jewelry.
- Check if your skin is red or dry. Check if the daily treatments you are following against irritation are effective or not.
- Plan to remove the piercing during the fifth or sixth month of pregnancy. This is when the abdominal region dilates right around the navel in most pregnant women and you may experience severe pain if you don't remove the piercing. The skin begins to tighten and the piercing presses against the skin.
- If you are unsure about the cause of the pain, see your gynecologist.
Step 2. Wash your hands before removing the piercing
Use warm soapy water to lather and thoroughly clean the space between your fingers and under your nails. If your hands are dirty, you could cause an infection.
Step 3. Move the piercing left and right to make sure it moves easily
You do not have to take it off if it is stuck or if it has stuck to the skin. In this case, you should contact your doctor or go to the piercer.
Step 4. Locate the ball of the piercing
It is generally the one that is not considered decorative, but that fixes the jewel in place. With one hand, grab the bar and with the other gently unscrew the ball. First make sure that the latter unscrews easily and safely. If you find that it is blocked, you need to contact the piercer.
Step 5. Remove the jewelry bar
Move with the utmost delicacy. If you feel any kind of tearing or tension during this phase, leave the piercing in place and go to the piercer or doctor.
Step 6. Sanitize the umbilical area
Wet a cloth or kitchen paper with warm soapy water and pat gently. Make sure you clean both your navel and the surrounding area. Wait for it to dry thoroughly before doing anything else. Apply a small bandage or plaster to the piercing area to avoid the risk of infection.
Step 7. Slide the piercing through the hole
There are many chances that the hole in the skin will close after removing the jewelry, so to avoid this risk, insert the piercing into the hole every few days or weeks.
- Leave it in place for a few minutes or up to an hour. Don't wait too long, however, as you may feel pain again if the jewelry starts to press on the skin.
- Be extremely careful when performing this procedure. Make sure your hands are perfectly clean, as well as your abdominal area. Also clean the navel when finished.
Step 8. Replace the piercing
In some cases it is not necessary to remove it during pregnancy, but a new piece of jewelry could reduce the discomfort. Choose those that bear the wording "PTFE", which means that they are made with a monofilament of nylon and Teflon. These are flexible and not rigid metal like the standard ones; they can expand and adapt to your tummy as it grows during gestation. Furthermore it is also possible to cut them to adjust them according to the size of the abdomen.
Step 9. Remove the jewelry if a caesarean section is needed
In this case it is absolutely essential to remove it because the metal is exactly where the surgeon will have to make the incision. Follow the steps outlined above to take it off and not put it back on until the area is completely healed. Ask your doctor when you can wear it again.
Step 10. Apply a moisturizer and maintain proper hygiene
As the abdomen stretches, the navel will likely enlarge as well. The surrounding skin is more likely to stretch, making stretch marks, scars and infections more likely. You can try to reduce this risk or prevent it by using a moisturizer and cleaning the area thoroughly.
The best thing to do is to moisturize her every day with a natural product that does not contain harsh chemicals or fragrances
Step 11. Treat rashes or inflammation appropriately
During the third trimester, when hormone levels rise dramatically, the skin becomes more sensitive and can more easily suffer from ailments such as rashes, irritation, itching and inflammation. It is important to address each of these problems right away as they develop to avoid aggravating the situation or leading to infections.
Step 12. Do not put the piercing back on until the pregnancy is complete
Continuing to put it back in the hole can cause damage to the umbilical region. Wait at least a few weeks after giving birth.
Step 13. Pay attention to whether the skin stretches or tears
During pregnancy, the "inward" navel often protrudes, creating tension between the piercing and the skin. The skin and abdominal muscles also expand during this time, putting greater pressure on the umbilical region. Every so often throughout the day, he lifts his shirt to check if the navel is torn, stretched or torn.
- If this happens, remove the piercing immediately. It is best not to inflame the area any more than it already is. Cover the wound with a band-aid and contact your doctor or piercer.
- If it is just red or it seems to you that the skin may tear, put on a band-aid and cover the navel. This way you can prevent it from sticking out even more.
- Also consider the healing time. You need to avoid caring for the piercing area when you have a baby who is likely to kick you in the belly, which often forces you to bend down and move around all the time.
Part 3 of 3: Doing a Piercing During Pregnancy
Step 1. Write down the reasons why you want to have a piercing
There are many risks associated with this procedure in the run-up to or during the gestation itself. Jewelery can cause infections, inflammation and even disease. You need to take some time to think about why a navel piercing is so important to you.
- First make a list of the reasons that make you want it so much. This is not only a good idea for evaluating pregnancy piercings, but for all piercings in general. Analyze the reasons one by one and decide if there are sufficient reasons to put it (it represents something about you, it is part of your identity, and so on).
- Once you have valid reasons, talk to your friends and family about your decision. They may have different points of view and show you dissent or approval.
- It is important to contact a professional piercer; he will surely be able to give you the best advice, as he will have already experienced a similar circumstance.
Step 2. Verify that the studio where you want to get the piercing is accredited
It is important that he is qualified and renowned. Any problem that arises from the jewelry could prove to be a source of infection, disease and even harm to the baby.
- Ask to check the equipment and the environment before getting the piercing done. The piercer should always wash their hands and tools; the latter should still be packaged.
- Look around and make sure the environment is kept in top condition. The floor should be clean and tidy, the place sanitized and there should be no traces of blood.
- Make sure the professional complies with the regulations regarding the client's age. He should also have a portfolio of his previous works in order to view them; ask to see it even before talking about the possibility of getting a piercing.
Step 3. Choose a safe and practical piece of jewelry
The classic bar that remains very adherent to the navel is not suitable for a woman who is expecting a baby. You have to do a search in different stores to find the ideal one for your future condition.
- Choose a plastic ring. This type of umbilical jewelry is made of soft plastic material that stretches as the belly grows. It can expand slightly and therefore hardly creates skin irritation or infections. The good news, too, is that it's typically cheaper than metal ones, and it's readily available online as well.
- Look for a circular piece of jewelry rather than a bar, as there is less chance of it falling than other designs. In fact, as the abdomen expands, it is possible that the piercing hole will also stretch; if it becomes too large, the bar jewelry may slip out.
- Get a large caliber ring instead of a small one. The larger the caliber, the thinner the ring and the better it fits the belly that needs to grow. Get a 14-gauge one, which is the largest.
- A good alternative to traditional piercing is the adhesive one. You can use it by pretending you have a real one and it is a solution followed by many women during pregnancy. A fake piercing also reduces the chances of inflammation and infection. Read this article for some ideas.
Step 4. Wait
It is always a good idea to postpone the time you undergo this procedure until after giving birth when you have fully recovered. There is always a risk that wearing a navel piercing when you are pregnant can cause infections, illnesses and harm to the unborn baby.
- The umbilical area is not surrounded by many muscles and therefore the blood circulation is not very active. This means that even if you are not pregnant, a piercing in this area always takes a long time to heal. The navel piercing is the one that takes the longest time to heal, on average it takes nine or twelve months.
- This area is close to the abdominal cavity and infections can become serious problems here. The umbilical piercing is also the only one that is continually teased by clothing, with the risk of spreading the infection more.
- There is also the possibility that the skin of the abdomen will consider the piercing a "foreign object" and therefore may not heal properly.
Step 5. Contact your doctor
While there are general risks of wearing a piercing during pregnancy, your doctor knows about your previous health condition. If you have been susceptible to infections in the past, have a history of illness, or have had problems with piercings, it is best to wait to wear one. Go to the doctor before putting it on, as he will be able to give you all the appropriate advice.
Advice
- Don't fiddle with the navel ring, it could cause irritation and inflammation. If you have this habit, ask a friend or family member to remind you and stop you.
- Always consult a doctor about potential problems. Although there is generally no major risk of disease, the child always takes precedence. Always listen to the advice of a health professional.
- Remove the piercing from time to time to see what it feels like not to have it. You may feel good or you may still like your appearance even without the jewelry. In any case, you can always put it back at the end of the pregnancy.
Warnings
- Remove the jewelry and see your doctor immediately if you notice any signs of infection in the umbilical area, such as pus or other discharge, itching, red skin, inflammation or a bad smell.
- Always check the label of the medications you take. Some are not suitable for pregnant women.
- The studio you go to to get the piercing done must be clean and sanitized. If the tools used are not properly sterilized, they could spread infectious diseases such as HIV and hepatitis B.
