The belly button piercing trend is still going strong. After all, crop tops were the top du jour for the spring and summer of 2021. They may not be as sparkly as their 2000s predecessors. Yet, their minimalistic design and muted colors are the go-to choices for many.
But, when there is a growing trend, that’s where plenty of misconceptions come into play. It’s important to focus on these misconceptions so that people will know what they are getting themselves into. Like, a belly button piercing after pregnancy.
Will it look good after you’ve had a baby? Should you be getting the piercing while you are still pregnant? Also, what is the best way to treat an infected belly piercing? Here, we will answer all your queries and more. If you had your belly button pierced or plan on getting it done, this guide will show you what happens after the pregnancy.
| Navel Piercing Quick Facts | ||
| Placement | Pain level | Average price |
| The piercing goes through the rim of the belly button. About half an inch to 1 inch of skin over the navel. | 5/10 | From $30 to $75 |
| Healing time | Risks | Aftercare |
| 9 months to 1 year for complete recovery. | – Allergic reaction – Infection – Scarring – Tearing – Rejection | Washing 2 times a day with sterile saline solution or antibacterial soap. Then patting it dry. |
Table of Content
Belly Button Piercing After Pregnancy
According to a recent survey on piercings and tattoos, 46% of respondents between 18 and 29 years stated they like belly button piercing for women. Because of the enthusiasm of the younger generation for nostalgia, this trend is still in high demand.
In fact, TikTok videos featuring the belly ring racked up almost 50 million views. This piercing is a form of self-expression. It’s a trendy symbol of youth and sex appeal. Fast forward a couple of years in the future, and a huge number of women with belly button rings will become mothers.
So, what happens to your belly button piercing after pregnancy? Some people keep the belly button piercing in, others remove it during pregnancy. When pregnant, the belly stretches. Typically, women gain around 1 cm (0.39 inches) a week between the top of the uterus and their pubic bone.
The stomach gets bigger early in the second trimester. Anywhere between 12 to 16 weeks. With twins, the belly expands faster and gets bigger. The belly gets really big and so does the hole from the belly button ring. After giving birth, everything deflates.
However, the hole of the pregnancy belly button ring won’t go back to the way it was. Instead, the stretched-out hole remains. That’s why a saggy belly button piercing after pregnancy is a relatively common problem. People often refer to it as the “second belly button”.
Belly Button Piercing During Pregnancy
One survey shows that almost half of the women evaluated between 16 and 24 years had a piercing. Of all the 1934 piercings recorded, 33% were belly button piercings. Followed by nose piercing (19%), ear (13%), and nipple piercings (9%).
Belly button piercing and pregnancy is an important topic to talk about. Women are advised to not get a piercing on their genitals, nipples, or belly button while they are carrying a child. That’s because of the physical changes that can happen to the human body during this period.
The stomach and breasts grow. The holes from the belly button piercing pregnancy don’t really heal. Instead, they tend to become bigger and prone to infection. Based on a 2021 study, the maternal immune system faces multiple challenges during pregnancy.
The body must establish and maintain adequate fetus tolerance. It also has to preserve its capability to fend off bacteria and viruses. That’s why the maternal immune system changes, grows and adapts with the development of the fetus.
Getting pierced while pregnant poses an unnecessary risk of infection, allergic reaction, or blood-borne illness. Belly button piercing risks pregnancy can occur if the piercing doesn’t receive the proper care and management.
Also, people can contract HIV, Hepatitis C, or Hepatitis B from using non-sterile instruments. So, these are the risks you should have in mind when considering doing a belly button piercing for pregnancy.
How to Fix a Stretched Belly Button Piercing?
A belly button piercing is similar to an ear-piercing. If you wear it long enough, the hole is lined with the skin. Meaning that it won’t close up, no matter how long you don’t wear it. So, how to fix stretched belly button piercing after pregnancy, you might ask. If you don’t like how the stretched navel piercing looks like, then an umbilicoplasty might be an option.
Although mainly used to manage umbilical hernias in infants, it can also change the appearance of the belly button. In other words, it can help with a stretched-out belly button piercing after pregnancy. It involves going in to deepen the belly button and reshape it to the desired look. The procedure removes the skin over the belly button. Thus, boosting its appearance.
This can be a practical solution to the question of how to fix your belly button piercing after pregnancy. The cost to fix the stretched belly button piercing can vary. In larger cities, like New York, the treatment comes at a hefty price. In less populated areas, the procedure is more affordable. If this is strictly a cosmetic procedure, then you can expect to pay anywhere from $2,500 to $5,000.
For a detailed price range on the stretch mark belly button piercing after pregnancy, it is best to consult with a board-certified plastic surgeon. With an in-person consultation, you can see whether you are a good candidate for the procedure.
What About the Stretch Marks from the Piercing?
Some women who had a navel piercing and had children might find the area around the piercing accumulating stretch marks. Treating the stretch marks takes more than just removing the pierced skin. That’s because they are widespread and require targeted treatment.
A doctor may recommend options like microdermabrasion or laser treatment. The cost will vary based on where the stretch marks are and the size of the treatment area. With that in mind, you can expect it to cost not more than $500 to $900.
How to Deal With a Belly Button Piercing Scar After Pregnancy?
Navel piercing often requires more time to heal. This makes it prone to injury or infection. Due to constant movement, the spot gets rubbed against any clothes you might be wearing. When the piercing closes, it can leave a scar.
The odds are even higher in people who didn’t get their piercing done by a professional. In cases such as these, you can expect a scar, infection, or a keloid to form when the hole closes up. During the rejuvenation process, which can sometimes take one year, it’s vital to keep the belly button dry and clean. Don’t wear clothes that trap bacteria or irritate the skin.
Some experts suggest you use emu oil to keep the belly button piercing from scarring. Emu products are considered popular and natural aftercare. They are packed with anti-inflammatory properties, antioxidants, and fatty acids, research shows.
The best way to treat the belly button piercing after pregnancy scar is to talk to a dermatologist. The moment you notice thickening or scarring of the skin, call your dermatologist. With on-time intervention, they can avoid the thick skin from turning into a keloid. Depending on what you are dealing with, they can suggest gel or silicone dressing. Other options include cryotherapy, compression, or surgery.
Can Your Belly Button Piercing Rip During Pregnancy?
The belly button piercing ripped pregnancy is a common concern. Women who keep their navel piercing when carrying tend to feel some discomfort as the belly stretches. The abdomen becomes much bigger to create extra space for the baby.
With the growing bump, the skin turns taut. So, it’s not uncommon for the piercing to pull on the skin. This could cause redness, tiny tears, and soreness around the belly button. Those who experience injury or tearing are prone to bacteria and infection. They have an open wound that needs to properly heal.
So, when to take belly bar out when pregnant? You don’t need to remove it right away. But, when you get to 3 to 4 months. This is the time when the pregnant belly really starts to show. Remember, you will be wearing pregnancy clothing. They too can rub against the piercing and trigger discomfort.
Does Piercing Your Belly Button Hurt – How Much Pain Can I Handle?
Navel piercings are a lot less painful than the nipple, genital, or dermal piercings. That’s mainly due to the thick tissue, which gets left behind with the removal of the umbilical cord. But, then again, everyone has different pain thresholds. For some, the belly button is super sensitive and ticklish.
According to people who had it done, the average pain scale is about 5 out of 10. This could be the result of a mental build-up of having anticipated the whole process. That’s why pain is subjective and people have different tolerances.
A question that often pops up is does an infected piercing hurt? Navel piercing infections are typically minor. Sometimes they can hurt or swell. The affected area can also develop redness. When the pain becomes intense and is accompanied by fever and swelling, this could be a red flag for a severe infection.
How to Treat Infected Belly Button Piercings?
An infected belly button piercing after pregnancy can happen. Minor infections are usually managed with at-home treatment. That includes:
- Washing the hands before touching the belly button piercing.
- Cleansing the affected spot with a cleaning solution.
- Smearing an ointment with antibiotic properties on the infection.
- Avoiding pierce removal unless recommended by a healthcare practitioner.
Sometimes, the doctor will suggest you replace your current piercing with high-quality jewelry. This is a practical tactic when the accessory irritates the skin. With severe infections, doctors can suggest antibiotics or additional medical treatment.
Note: If you notice a belly button smell from piercing, then the piercing could be infected. The infection is known for creating pus or fluid, which develops a bad smell. It could be green or yellow in color and feature a thick consistency. Contact a doctor to get treatment.
Belly Button Piercing Migration
When you introduce a foreign object, the body may treat it as such and try to remove it. In the early rejection phase, the piercing starts to migrate. It moves towards the surface of the skin. As a result, the skin can crack open.
Navel piercing migration isn’t nearly as common as other complications like keloids or infections. But, can happen. The reason for that is relatively simple. The body is constantly focused on self-defense. It’s always focused on fending off invading pathogens, germs, or fungi. The symptoms of piercing migrations appear since the immune system considers the jewelry as a threatening invader.
You can spot the migration when the piercing has moved from its intended location. The holes increase and the skin turns flaky, inflamed, or red. This problem can happen in a couple of weeks to a few months after you’ve had the belly pierced.
However, it could also occur years or decades later. Removing the piercing or replacing it with a better-quality product can help. But, consult with a doctor first to know whether you should use adequate treatment.
How to Prevent a Belly Piercing Reaction?
This ornament requires proper aftercare. Even if the procedure itself takes a couple of minutes, you will constantly have to take care of the jewelry. In the first year, while the wound heals, you would need to take extra precautions.
Avoid touching the ornament with dirty hands or keeping it wet. Wet surfaces are a breeding ground for bacteria. Piercing aftercare focuses on regular hygiene. Washing the piercing to clean away the debris or “crusties” that pile up over time.
To reduce the chances of a reaction, migration, or infection, select a piercer with care. Research the piercers near you and find a licensed and trained practitioner. Those who have plenty of experience in the field use proper equipment and are less likely to spread blood-borne illnesses. A qualified piercer shares the number of years they worked in the industry. Meaning you can trust them with ease.
The shop you get the piercing must be sanitary and clean. They use sanitary needles and instruments in sealed pouches. If the practitioner opts for a disposable needle, then they will take a new package and open it. This shows that they take great care in the services they provide, experts suggest.
Another thing to have in mind is the ornament you pick. A piercing made of medical-grade stainless steel has the lowest chances of causing an allergic reaction. Other safe products include those made of niobium, titanium, and 14-karat+ gold. Unsafe piercings are those that feature rough edges, scratches, or many nicks.
Final Thoughts
The belly button piercing is without a doubt one of the popular forms of self-expression. Although there is no medical reason to take out the piercing when pregnant, all that belly stretching can make the pierced hole unappealing.
That’s why it is best to wait a couple of months after having the baby to get the navel pierced. If you have more questions about a belly button piercing after pregnancy, check out the frequently asked questions below.
FAQs
What happens to belly button piercing after pregnancy?
Both the belly button and the pierced hole change postpartum. The belly button looks like a round circle, with a small flap of skin hanging over the top. It’s easy to tell a woman had a baby by observing her belly button. Since the belly stretches, so will the pierced hole. This hole of the pregnancy belly button ring won’t return to the way it was before.
How long after pregnancy can you get a belly piercing?
Many people wonder can you get a belly button piercing after pregnancy? The answer is yes. It’s a good idea to wait a couple of months after you’ve had the child to get a navel piercing. That’s of course if you don’t plan on having another child. The belly stretches a lot during pregnancy. Particularly for women who carry twins. So, you might want to postpone the piercing if you are looking to have more children.
Will my belly button ever go back to normal after pregnancy?
In most cases, the belly button gets right back to its normal position in a couple of months. But, it might seem a bit stretched or “lived-in” to say the least. But, don’t dwell on it too much. After all, this is a badge of honor you should wear with pride!
Does belly button piercing prevent pregnancy?
No. The piercing is just an accessory that’s aesthetically pleasing. The most practical and successful method of preventing pregnancy is using contraceptives. Options like a condom, contraceptive ring, or contraception pill work well.
Will my belly button pierce change after I lose weight?
Losing a couple of pounds shouldn’t affect the belly button piercing. But, there are a couple of things to consider before you start working on your weight loss journey. After you get the piercing, make sure the area is properly healed before you begin strenuous physical activity.
