I have heard that it is true that in most cases if you have a lower back tattoo you cannot have an epidural.

It depends on the placement of the tattoo and how solid the tattoo is, but basically they can't put the epidural needle through ink or close to ink.

It also depends on the anesthesiologist.

This was posted by Dr. William Carmann:

This is a common question, as the popularity of tattoos has been recently increasing, and in particular the lower back seems to be a very common site. Although some anesthesiologists may be reluctant to perform an epidural directly through a tattoo, most of the time this can be done safely. It is always best to ask an anesthesiologist at your hospital to discuss this concern. However, there really is no evidence that inserting a needle through a tattoo will lead to any harm. According to an opinion stated by a pathologist in the SOAP (Society for Obstetric Anesthesia and Perinatology newsletter:


“The tattoo pigments do not stay "loose" within the dermis or connective tissue, but are rapidly assimilated by macrophages during the healing process. Many of these pigment-laden macrophages stay in the dermis, and the dermis only, for the life of the tattooee. The amount of pigment that is used in the tattoo process is quite miniscule, also. The pigments are made of inert metal salts and different structures of a phenolphthalein base, and allergic problems are nearly nonexistent. You should have no concern whatsoever in placing a needle through a tattoo and into the spinal or epidural space, as the pigment particles are "fixed" and stationary within the dermis, and cannot be mobilized by the needle or migrate along the needle track. There is really no danger at all in inserting a needle through tattooed skin.

i think thats true
\im not 100% sure but im pretty sure it depends on the size and exactly where the tattoo is also

most all my friends and family have tattoos and there has never been a problem. i have a lower back tattoo also and the doctor has never said a thing to me.
i have never heard of a case where this is the truth.

I had one with my first pregnancy, and i have one on my lower back. I just got it redone, and fixed up a bit right before i got pregnant. I have never heard of this before. But Not saying it's not true lol

I have a lower back tattoo. My epi was done in the middle of my back not my lower back. My friend's back is covered with tattoos and she had two epis for her two kids. It's not true!

what does and epideral feel like? and what exactly is it? how does it work?

An epidural is a method of pain relief. Basically, the anesthesiologist sticks a long needle into your spinal column. The needle is hollow, kind of like the needles used in piercings. A catheter (plastic tube, basically) is threaded through the needle. The needle is removed and the catheter stays.

Pain medicine is given through the catheter directly into your spinal column.

Oh, and .I'll explain what it feels like too.

You get a numbing shot first. That shot feels like a bee sting. You have to bend over and hold as still as possible while the epidural is being placed, which is hard when you're having contractions.

The numbing shot works pretty quickly. You feel a lot of movement back there, but no pain. When the medicine goes into your spine, it kind of feels like ice water is running down your back.

It takes a few minutes for the medication to really kick in. People have different reactions to epidurals. Some people feel numb from the waist down. Others just don't feel pain. Others don't feel any relief at all from the epidural. And others, the epidural only works on half of their body. It really depends on the person.

ouch
how bad does it suck until the meds start to kick in

Labor, you mean?

Labor hurts. It hurts a lot.

i got a tat on my lower back and i got an epi. i never heard of that

i'm not even 100% sure if i had an epidural or a spinal when i had my surgery. i could walk afterward and it was still keeping me numb in my abdominal area where i had the incision but i was numb in my legs and feet when i came out of surgery. i didn't feel a thing when they put it in or took it out. but it gave me severe constipation and i couldn't pee for the longest time. i really didn't like the side effects, i was so nauseous even with a totally empty stomach. i couldn't eat for days. i hope i don't end up getting one when i have my baby. i'd rather deal with the pain than have to recover for so long from it. anyway, that was a tangent. i don't know nuthin about tattoos.

so would you guys recomend and epideral
i know my mom says ill be screaming for one lol

both times i had mine it hurt like...well you get the picture

I recommend experiencing your labor and being your own judge as to whether you can handle the pain or not. Don't go into labor thinking "I need pain meds" and don't go in thinking "I won't get pain meds". Keep an open mind and let things happen.

my thoughts exactly. people keep telling me "just get the epidural and you'll be fine". i just smile and nod. whatever. i'll do what i gotta do when i gotta do it. i'm not going to automatically get the epidural when i have absolutely no way of predicting how bad the pain will be or how i will handle it.

*edited. not ultrasound epidural. i've got too many pregnant terms on the brain.

thanks guys :] alot of people have told me get one and alot have said dont get one because it hurts
but haveing a baby hurts period so...lol...either way

I'm going to try my next labor drug-free, I think. I made it pretty far last time.