Question about back tattoos and epidural?

[Starlight34]

Hi ladies,

I was wondering if anyone knows if having a tattoo on your back prevents you from having an epidural? My MIL says I won't be able to have an epidural because of my tattoo. I have a butterfly on the small of my back, got it when I was 19. It's not very big. Does anyone know anything about this?

 

[greats]

I have a tattoo on my shoulder blade and still had an epidural. I've never heard of anyone being denied an epidural because of an old tattoo. Maybe if you've gotten it in the past year?

 

[Starlight34]

My tattoo is approx. 15 years old, it's not new by any means.

 

[VerbingNoun]

My mom has a tattoo on her lower back and got an epidural with my brother 8 years ago. Its a fairly large tattoo.

I imagine if they did it back then, they'd do it now?

 

[JLFKJS]

I have a tattoo on the right side of my lower back with parts of it going to my spine. I had an epidural with my first and never heard of anything like that before.

 

[babifever]

What does the tattoo have to do with it....I'm confused?

 

[Charliejones]

No I've got butterflies to going all up my back and I had an dpi I plan to have it again to! Don't worry about that epi will be absolutely fine! X

 

[george83]

I have paw prints going up the middle of my back and just had an epidural 2 weeks ago. The anethetist did mention it but I wasn't in the right frame of mind to work out what his comment meant and didn't ask, it didn't stop me having it though

 

[AP]

I remember (and i dont remember much!) the anesthetist asking how long ago i had it done, i am aware there was a reason but cant remember what! I got it anyway? I have a small black tattoo at the base of my spine (dont ask )

 

[pink_phoenix]

I have herd this before I think they try and say that there is a risk of pushing ink particles into your spine but I can't see it personally. Being heavily tattooed is so much more common especially in the small of the back I can imagine there's been enough previous ladies your doc will have seen and performed them on for it to not even be a second thought.

 

[babifever]

I have herd this before I think they try and say that there is a risk of pushing ink particles into your spine but I can't see it personally. Being heavily tattooed is so much more common especially in the small of the back I can imagine there's been enough previous ladies your doc will have seen and performed them on for it to not even be a second thought.

oh ok this is new to me. I don't have back tatts or plan to get the epidural. It terrifies me, lol

 

[Tattoo]

I've heard of it before, too. It's nonsense. The epidural needle can go straight through the design, if necessary. I suppose it could present an issue if the tattoo was only a week or so old and wasn't healed, but it seems highly unlikely someone would be getting tattooed that late in pregnancy!

 

[lusterleaf]

I have a small butterfly on my lower back and was able to get the epi

 

[pink_phoenix]

I always herd it as and excuse not to get tattoos haha. I went to have my back tattooed and my mum said oh don't do that u can't have epidural lol, failed miserably as at 20 that was the very furthest thing from my mind ha!
And Defo won't be getting epi, scares me more than giving birth

 

[Starlight34]

Thanks for all your input. It must only apply to new tattoos if it's true.

 

[rescuemom82]

my back is nearly covered and they didn't mention it when I had an epidural with my daughter.

 

[MileyMamma]

I have had 2 spinal blocks and the tattoo has never been an issue

 

[SmartieMeUp]

I have a "tramp stamp" and an ivy vine going up my spine still had an epi.

 

[amelia26]

I have a tattoo at the base of my spine and had epidural and spinal with my first. Nothing was mentioned.