To keep belly piercings in now? 37 weeks

[thechicks]

37 weeks pregnant, first baby. I have both upper and lower belly button piercings that I barely ever change. Was going to take them out when they started becoming a problem, but haven't had an issue with them all pregnancy until now. Hospital have asked me to take them out as there's a chance I may end up with a c section.

Except I can't get them out 😬

Top one is a floating piercing, so flat jewellery that sits above the belly button and a flat screw like a helix piercing inside the belly button. Screw part has sunk into the skin and belly button has popped out next to it. So I can't get to it to unscrew it.

Bottom one won't unscrew, it feels like baby is right underneath it so don't want to mess around with it trying to get it out.

AIBU to think I'm just going to have to keep them in.

Poor baby. Makes me feel ill.
Surely if they have asked you to take these piercings out for medical reasons and you can't you need to tell them so they can intervene and take the things out?

Can’t you get them removed at a piercing studio? The one I got to would take them out for people. If the hospital has asked you to remove them, then I think you should. Better to be safe than sorry.

I had the same issue (couldn’t remove it) and left my piercing in. It wasn’t a problem and medical staff were fine with it. They did tape it though.

I might call up tomorrow and ask if I can just tape them @BeachPebbleWave , that's good to know.

DP has hated my belly piercings our whole relationship, has tried and can't get either of them out. I think a piercing studio might manage the bottom one, but I don't really want anyone else poking trying to get it out. I don't know it it would be possible to get the top one out because it's sunk into the skin and my belly button has popped out on top of it. So the screw is pretty inaccessible.

once it’s sunk in you should get it out - go to a piercing place or even urgent care. There’s a chance of sepsis/infection if you don’t. Sorry OP, this happened to me twice - one they were able to recover but the other closed up and I lost the piercing :-(

How on earth have you kept good hygiene without taking them out regularly to clean?

Part of the issue is that they use diathermy for a CS, which uses an electrical current to seal off vessels etc. it’s not wise at all to have metal under your skin in that area. Also, makes it more difficult to clean the area effectively.
good luck :)

Poor baby. Makes me feel ill.

Poor baby and you feel ill because mum has bellybutton piercings? What a bizarre/rude response.

I would mention it at your next appt and see what they suggest.

Shit, didn't realise this :(

@PInkyStarfish I had both done at a tattoo parlor more than 20 years ago. I don't remember being told to take them out to clean them. Advice may have changed since then though, and that was in the States. So maybe different here?

You're being unreasonable having them in the first place😂

Absolutely this. And even if you’re planning on a natural birth, it’s not exactly unusual to have to end up with a section. And if you needed an emergency section there wouldn’t be time for faffing around with piercings.

I got a pregnancy belly button bar when I was pregnancy (think it came from Australia). It’s a flexible “bar” that’s about 2 inches long.
Nit much help for you now though, I know

Poor baby?! Because of a piercing?! Fucking lunatic 😂😂

I would go to a piercing studio and ask them to help, ex SIL owns a piercing studio and heavily pregnant women and bellybutton piercings and a common theme , they'll be able to help

What a strange response about a grown woman's choice of what she does to her body

Thanks everyone who's left helpful replies. I'm so out of touch with piercing studios... I'll see if I can find a local one tomorrow.

To those who have left less helpful replies... you'll be pleased to know I took my nipple piercings and my brow piercing out in the 2000s 😏

Poor baby because OP is thinking of ignoring medical advice when her baby and a safe delivery should be her overriding concern.

Absolutely book an appointment to get them taken out.

I switched my metal bar to a flexi plastic one but where my skin stretched it left my belly button looking awful. Really wish I'd taken it out!

Its really annoying as I'm now mid 40s and have a flat toned stomach with this horrible belly button so let the piercing close up.

I read the title and was about to post that you should take them out or they'll get stuck! (Which is what happened to a friend of mine).

I tried to get hers out too for a good hour and in the end she just called the midwife and they arranged to get them out in A&E with a ring cutter.

Good luck!