Tramp stamps and epidurals

Lol.  Most are too low for it to even be in the way of where an epidural goes, anyways.  I have one from my high school years and it's not going to be a problem for us.

 Actually just found this on a site with a woman asking same question.

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" — 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 insert the needle through skin that isn't tattooed.

I was able to have an epidural with both of my last two pregnancies.  My "tramp stamp" is down pretty low.  Maybe there would be more of a dificulty with the ink and such if it were up higher.  Epidurals are placed between certain sections on your spine, but I haven't heard anything for sure.

So funny, I just had a friend who has never been pregnant tell me the same thing and I was pretty concerned.

I work at a surgery center and asked the anesthesiologist this question on Monday and she laughed and said that she has never refused to do epidurals on mothers with back tatoos and hasn't heard of anyone else refusing either.

Especially if the tatoo is not fresh, I really don't think you should worry about it. Im sur ethere are exceptions to every rule dependign on where you are, but I think we all have enough on our plates to worry about!!

Sounds like its definitely a myth.  I know I had heard that rumor before, ages ago, and I assumed at the time it was probably a myth.  Then I heard it again from a deejay on the radio yesterday morning.  I thought, really!? Are they really still saying that.  Maybe there's some truth to it.  Thanks for setting the record straight.  I definitely won't say anything about it to my friend.

The myth is any tattoo will harbor your ability to get numb. This is not a true stament.  You would have to have 95% of all of your body covered in tattoos for the ink to effect the spinal or epaderial. I hope this helps.

I got my tattoo after the birth of my son, about a year ago. Now that I'm pregnant with my daughter, I was worried that I wouldn't be able to get the epidural. I looked it up and I guess it doesn't matter if you have a tattoo. The    anesthesiologist may try to avoid the tattoo if possible (because it might cause some discoloration on the tattoo) but otherwise, tattoos' and epidurals are fine.

Nope!  It says in 'What to Expect' that as long as the tattoo is over a year old at the time of epidural then you are safe!  Not sure how accurate that is, but I would trust it unless an anesthesiologist says otherwise.

Having a tramp stamp makes no difference when getting a spinal or an epidural. My SIL has one and they poked right through it to place the cathater.