Navel Piercing During Pregnancy: Remove It or Not?

What happens to a navel piercing during pregnancy?

As the belly grows, the skin around the navel stretches and the navel flattens and sometimes pops outward. Because a navel piercing sits in this constantly changing area, the position and fit of the jewelry may change from the second trimester onward. Some people have no problems until birth, while for others the jewelry starts pulling on the skin, the area around the channel turns red, or the jewelry catches on clothing.

Two things make the difference here: how well the piercing has healed and how much pressure the jewelry puts on the skin. A navel piercing that has been in for years and is fully healed will not react the same way as one done only a few months ago. A navel piercing usually takes 6–12 months to heal; for details see: piercing healing times table.

Should you take the jewelry out or leave it in?

There is no single right answer; you need to decide based on your own situation. The table below offers a general roadmap, but ask your doctor first about any decision related to your pregnancy.

For detailed information on jewelry thinning the skin and moving outward, see: what is piercing rejection (migration). To understand the difference between infection and irritation, you can also read: piercing infection or irritation?.

Pregnancy jewelry (flexible navel bar)

Pregnancy jewelry is a long bar made of a soft material such as PTFE that flexes as the belly grows. It reduces the pressure a rigid metal bar puts on the skin and may help keep the channel open. Its length may become too short as the belly grows, so it needs to be checked from time to time. The healthiest approach is to check the size of the flexible jewelry and whether it suits your anatomy together with a piercer. For stock availability, contact our studio: ask us on WhatsApp.

If you want to stay with metal jewelry, choose a piece with a smooth surface and the right size. For material information: surgical steel 316L piercing jewelry.

Can you get a new piercing while pregnant?

The general advice is not to get a new piercing during pregnancy and the early period after birth. A new piercing means a healing process lasting months, with aftercare, possible irritation and follow-up. Because the navel area keeps changing during pregnancy, a new navel piercing may not heal properly in this period. It is better to wait until after birth and your doctor's approval for a new piercing.

C-section, birth and medical procedures

Hospitals usually ask for jewelry to be removed before surgery, a C-section and some imaging procedures. Finding out your hospital's instructions in advance and using easily removable jewelry in the final weeks makes things easier. For details on MRI scans, see: can you have an MRI with a piercing.

After birth: will the hole close, can the jewelry go back in?

If the jewelry has been out for a long time, the hole may shrink or close completely. Channels that have been worn for many years and healed well usually close more slowly, while newer channels can shrink within a few days. After birth, try to reinsert the jewelry without forcing it; if it will not go in, do not force it and have a piercer check it. For details, see: do piercings close.

Once the belly area has healed and your doctor approves, a navel piercing can be done again. Because the shape of the navel may change after pregnancy, the piercer first assesses the anatomy in person; sometimes a position slightly different from the previous one is more suitable. For navel piercing styles and aftercare, see: belly button piercing guide and navel piercing jewelry.

Navel piercing care during pregnancy

• Check the skin every day: Noticing changes such as redness, thinning or the jewelry shifting early is important.
• Keep the area clean and dry: After showering, gently pat the navel area dry with a clean paper towel.
• Watch out for waistband pressure: Tight waistbands that sit at navel level can rub against the jewelry constantly.
• Keep creams out of the channel: Take care not to apply stretch mark creams or oils directly over the piercing hole.
• See a doctor if complaints continue: If you have a fever, spreading redness or dark discharge, do not wait.

If you have questions about your navel piercing or jewelry choice, you can visit our studio in Ümraniye Çarşı or ask us on WhatsApp. For a new piercing after giving birth, navel piercing is 750 TL; standard surgical steel jewelry is included in the price. Our studio is open Mon–Sat 10:00–20:30 and Sunday 11:00–20:00.

Official and reliable sources

• Healthline: Navel piercing during pregnancy
• Association of Professional Piercers (APP)

This article is for general information and does not replace medical advice. Make decisions about your pregnancy together with your doctor.

FAQ

Do you have to remove a navel piercing during pregnancy?

No, there is no single rule. A healed navel piercing that causes no problems can stay in for a while for many people. If the jewelry starts digging in, causing redness or pulling as the belly stretches, it is more comfortable to remove it or switch to flexible pregnancy jewelry. Decide after talking with your doctor.

Can you get a new piercing while pregnant?

The general advice is not to get a new piercing during pregnancy and the early period after birth. A new piercing means a wound healing process that lasts months, and your body has different priorities during this time. Waiting until after birth and for your doctor's approval is the better approach for a new piercing.

What is pregnancy jewelry?

Pregnancy jewelry is a long navel bar made of PTFE or a similar flexible material that can bend as the belly grows. It is used to reduce the pressure a rigid metal bar puts on the skin. Its size and suitability should be checked together with a piercer.

Do you need to remove jewelry before a C-section or surgery?

Hospitals usually ask for jewelry to be removed before surgery and birth. The instructions of the hospital where you will give birth apply here; asking your team about this in the final weeks and switching to a model you can remove easily makes things simpler.

Does a navel piercing close after birth?

If the jewelry has been out for a long time, the hole may shrink or close. Channels made many years ago and well healed tend to close more slowly. After birth, try to put the jewelry back in without forcing it; if it does not go in, a piercer should check it.

Can you get a navel piercing again after birth?

Yes, once the belly area has fully healed and your doctor approves, it can be pierced again. Because the shape of the navel may change after pregnancy, the piercer first assesses the anatomy in person.

Browse jewellery for belly piercings

This content is for general information only and does not replace medical diagnosis or treatment.