If you’ve gone through the time and effort to have a nipple piercing, then you probably want to keep it as long as possible. But babies, as the saying goes, change everything. Is it safe to have nipple piercings while pregnant, or will you need to ditch the barbells for the next nine months?
The piercings are certainly in vogue now. The ultimate cool-girl Rihanna has them, and Kendall Jenner has also rocked the look. And it’s also very popular among many young women. “Nipple piercings are actually the one piercing that hasn’t gone on hiatus in popularity,” Cassi Lopez, piercer at NY Adorned in New York City, told Styleblazer. So it’s no surprise that these stylish women may be hesitant to get rid of these piercings as soon as a baby is on the way.
However, the breasts certainly go through some major changes during pregnancy. And is breastfeeding even possible if you want to keep the rings in place? There are a lot of factors to consider if you’re pregnant with nipple piercings. Fortunately, there are plenty of other women in your situation. And whatever you decide to do with the piercings during this phase of your life, remember: you’re still a cool girl either way.
Can You Keep Piercings During Pregnancy?
As with many questions, the answer is "it depends." In general, as long as you aren't experiencing any pain from the piercings, then you are good to go. "If you already have a piercing that has completely healed and it feels comfortable, there is not a medical reason to take out your jewelry," according to the American Pregnancy Association. The organization also notes that, as your breasts grow, the piercings may catch on clothes or start to bug your skin. In these cases, you may want to remove the jewelry or put a piece of monofilament (AKA fishing line) in as a placeholder.
Can You Breastfeed With Nipple Piercings
Chances are, your nipple piercing will not harm your ability to breastfeed in the long term. "In our collective, massive experience, we have no awareness of even a single case of a woman who wished to breast feed and could not as a result of having had a nipple piercing," according to the Association of Professional Piercers. However, the organization does recommend that breastfeeding women remove their jewelry for breastfeeding. You can get it reinserted once your child is weaned.
