lower back tattoo, epidural?

Question

someone told me that my back tattoo (my back is totally covered) would prevent me from getting an epidural if i have a baby. true or false

Answer 1

i spoke to my cousin who's an anesthesiologist....and she said that the thing that stops doctors from giving an epidural is not actually the ink in your skin. It's the fact that they don't want to be held responsible for ruining your tattoo. I was quite surprised. There are some that won't do it but there are many that will.

In re: to the person that mentioned that tattoos are in your epidermis...they are not in your epidermis. They are below the dermis level of skin.

Answer 2

Tattoos and Spinal/Epidural Anesthesia
by William Reid Camann, MD
Q. If you have a tattoo on your back can you still get a shot for pain in your back during labor?

A. This is a common question, as the popularity of tattoos has been recently increasing. In particular, the lower back seems to be a very common site. The tattoo pigments are inert dyes, which do not result in any bodily reactions once the initial tattoo healing process has been completed. The amount of pigment that is used in the tattoo process is quite miniscule. The needles used for spinal or epidural anesthesia do not carry pieces, or even particles, of skin or tissues into the spinal or epidural spaces. Once the tattoo has healed, the dyes or inks are fixed in the cells within the skin, and cannot be mobilized by a needle. There is no evidence that any harm will come from placing a clean needle through a healed tattoo.

Although some anesthesiologists may be reluctant to perform an epidural directly through a tattoo, most of the time this can be done safely. In many, but not all, cases the anesthesiologist can find an area of non-tattooed skin to insert the needle. It is always best to ask an anesthesiologist at your hospital to discuss this concern.


Of course, one should always exercise common sense in getting a tattoo, by only going to clean, reputable, experienced tattoo artists. Moreover, if you are pregnant, and considering getting a tattoo, this discussion may be useful.

http://www.storknet.com/cubbies/childbirth/exwc3.htm

Answer 3

I have answered this question before, too. Here is the deal - I have no idea where this story came from but it spread like wild fire that if you have a lower back tattoo, the anesthesiologist will refuse to administer an epidural because they are afraid that while inserting the needle they will displace some of the pigment and push it into the spinal fluid.

I have asked about this and no one can come up with anything to back this. In fact, to the contrary, they have reported it safe. Also, any possibility of a small "defect" a needle insertion would create in a tattoo could easily be touched up at some point in time, so I have no idea why that anesthesiologist quoted above would state such a thing. They would withhold anesthesia? I sincerely doubt it.

This whole refusal thing was probably created by someone wishing to talk people out of these tattoos as is the case with most anti-tattooing articles, etc.

EDIT NOTES: Regarding the doc's statement quoted below - a reputable tattoo artist would never consider tattooing a pregnant woman. There is always an inherent risk of cross contamination no matter how strictly they follow safe tattooing protocols.

Answer 4

I believe that having a large tattoo all over your lower back may slightly raise the risks associated with having an epidural. Unless you have some kind of infection or something related with the tattoo, though, I don't think it would prevent you from getting the epidural. If your worried, talk to your anesthesiologist.

Answer 5

False--an epidural consists of a long needle that goes into your spine. They will not deny you the epidural just because you have a tattoo.

Answer 6

I don't think so. An Epidural is injected into your spine. A tattoo only penetrate a couple of layers of skin. And you have about 7 layers of skin. Check with an anestiologist to make sure.

Answer 7

FALSE,
the epidural will pierce your outer layer of skin but will go further in past the tattoo so do not worry, you'll be fine.

Answer 8

Completely false. You will want the epidural!

Answer 9

False- I have a hugh back piece and I had a epidural with my son. So someone is full of sh*t

Answer 10

this sound completely wrong to me, but i'm no doctor. tattoos are on the epidermus and an epidural is much more than skin deep!