Belly button piercing

[rrreow]

I wore my piercing throughout my last pregnancy (metal barbel until about 20w, then a flexible plastic one). I'm 23w and just switched to the flexible one as the metal one was starting to get uncomfortable. However the flexible one is much longer, and the top & bottom (the round bits) get kind of pressed into my belly and make it really itchy!

Just to be clear it's the skin around it that's itchy from the barbel being pressed against the skin. There is no issue/discomfort with the actual piercing hole. I'm not keen to remove it altogether.

Anyone got any tips for keeping my piercing comfortable during pregnancy?

I bought a flexible one and found it miles too big so just cut it down to size. Miles better.

are your clothes pressing onto it? I've had to change my bar a few times this pregnancy to find one that fits and wasn't making the hole itchy, just looked so odd without it there!

so maybe try and find a bar with a flat decoration instead of balls?

MrsGubbins Flat decoration! That is genius! I'm going to have a look for one.

HappyGoLuckyGirl When you cut it, didn't it lose the 'thread' for screwing on the ball?

Would you thibk about taking it out? Mine was absolutely fine through my first pregnancy so stupidly I thought it would be fine for my second. It stretched horribly and almost two years later still looks ugly. I really wish I'd removed it.

rrreow The one I bought was self-threading material. When I cut it I just used one of my old top balls to re-thread it. I was dubious as to how secure it would be but I've had it on for 6 weeks and the ball hasn't come off.

I got this one. Free shipping too.

Oh great, I'm guessing mine are self threading as well then as it looks very similar to that link. I have an extra bar somewhere so I think I'll try cutting that one down and trying it out.

Heh that link says you can keep it in for scans, but I keep being asked to remove it anyway for scans! Apparently it casts a shadow on the scan (?). I did wear mine during labour though, despite my midwife (the one I had appointments with, not the one who delivered DS) keep insisting I'd have to remove it for the birth. I mean, it's not like I was going to deliver through my belly button

Haha...wouldn't that be in case you had to go for an emergency section? To be honest, I'm probably going to end up removing mine anyway sigh. I thought the flexi-bar would allow me to wear it all through my pg but it's starting to irritate me now. I've had it done for 8 years so hopefully it won't heal over...

Yeah I think as long as it hasn't broken the skin inside the piercing hole then it shouldn't close up if you've had it that long. I've had mine for nearly 12 years! Oh I remember the arguments it caused when I had it done

Arguments with parents who thought it was tacky/ruining your body/not suitable for a girl your age? Yeah, definitely remember those! I have three tattoos too, so now I have definitely "defiled" my body