Lower back tattoos and having a baby...?

Someone told me that after you get tattooed on your lower back you can't have "epidoril" (don't know how to spell it)--- the pain relieving shot in your lower back when you are having a baby. is this true?

"No, it isn't true. Most pregnant women who have lower back tattoos can receive epidurals. The exception would be if the tattoo covers a large area and is still "fresh" 鈥?meaning the involved skin is still healing. Actually, very few studies have looked at the risks of epidurals in women with lower back tattoos. But there is no conclusive evidence of any adverse effects, such an increased risk of an infection.

Most anesthesiologists will give an epidural block to a pregnant woman with a lower back tattoo. However, they may try to avoid placing the needle through the tattoo to avoid a small scar that may disfigure the tattoo. If possible, the anesthesiologist will choose nontattooed skin through which to insert the needle.

If you have a lower back tattoo and have questions or concerns regarding your ability to get an epidural, consult your doctor."

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/lower-b...

鈥淚 know of no absolute contraindication to a lower back tattoo and epidurals. If the tattoo was new, there were still scabs, inflammation, or signs of infection, then the physicians would be correct to refrain from placing an epidural. Clearly you want to avoid getting anything into the spinal column, ink, bacteria, etc. Once a tattoo has healed, this should not be a problem.鈥?br>
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art3...

never heard of such a thing

(assuming that you're not having the tattoo within few weeks of the epidural) it should not be a problem.

Some anesthesiologists may not want to perform the epidural, but usually it is considered safe.

http://www.painfreebirthing.com/english/...

No, that's not true. They place epidurals by feeling, not by sight. I've seen plenty of epidurals given to people with lower back tattoos. Don't fret sweetie.

I don't think so. I have a tattoo on my lower back and I was never told that. Besides the needle goes into your spinal column, so why would some ink stop you from being able to have one?

that is completely NOT true...i have a friend who has a butterfly on her lower back...she gave birth a few months ago and was afraid that she wouldn't be able to get an epediural but the anestesiolgoist gave her one and told her that the rumor wasn't true. needless to say she was very happy.

No. I've never heard of that.

Well...for one thing, you shouldn't get a tattoo while you're pregnant. If you got your tattoo before your pregnancy then I don't see why an epidural would be a problem.

Well I guess I dont have to tell what an epidural is but I will tell you that yes you are right. There is too much of a risk of getting ink in your spinal fluid and that it could cause major damage. Sometimes if your tattoo is low enough they can do it but if the region they need to access is covered in ink than it wont be an option. Hope this helps.

I have a lower back Tattoo and they did an epi on me... may depnd on your epidural doctr........

Depends on where the tattoo is located and the anesthesiologist preforming it.

The epidural is place between two specific vertebrae (although I can't remember which two) so unless your tattoo is absolutely massive, chances are it won't be exactly on that spot.

Some anesthesiologists are weird about doing epidurals through tattoos. Apparently it makes it a little more difficult to insert it properly (I have no idea why... sounds really dumb to me, but that's what a nurse told me at the hospital)

No, that is not true. The epadural goes in much higher.

By the way, I use the tatoo for target practice.

Depends on the anaesthesiologist.

Some of them will NOT do an epidural through a tattoo.

When they do an epidural, a hollow needle is inserted through the skin and tissue into the spinal fluid. That needle carries some pieces of skin from the surface with it. The outside of the skin is disinfected beforehand. Some anaesthsiologists are unwilling to risk having ink of unknown origin floating around in the spinal fluid, so will insist upon removing a 'small' (half cm diameter circle) of skin first.

I don't know what _most_ anaesthesiologists will do, but certainly there are some who will not do it, basically.