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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

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Original poster

C section will ruin my tattoo :(

67 replies

PurplePunkPrincess · 05/05/2014 15:18

I have a large tattoo that would definitely get destroyed if I had a c section. I've got really bad spd so a small chance but unlikely to have a c section.

I'm reluctant to speak to my midwife about how un manageable the pain in just incase her or my consultant start considering a c section. I would be upset to be left with a ruined tattoo and scar.

Obviously I wouldn't want a c section for lots of reasons, but that's been discussed many times before

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

DebbieOfMaddox · 05/05/2014 15:55

And do you scar badly normally?

On untattooed skin my c/s scar is barely visible the overhang, however, we shall not mention just a faint silvery line so if you have a good surgeon who stitches you up carefully, you avoid the overhang issue and heal up nicely then long-term it might not be so bad as you are imagining.

Original poster

PurplePunkPrincess · 05/05/2014 15:57

Is it really that low? I think it would skim the bottom petal tips if I did have to ever have a c section. Which is fine, I was more concerned, that the only c section scar I've seen was a bit higher but made the skin sit wrong, so like a muffin top. And then it would be screwed up and I don't see how that could be fixed. Because I would have to live with that forever!

I was 16 when it was first done, had it redone and improved after my first 2 and hadn't planned on a third after that!

OP posts:

ReallyTired · 05/05/2014 15:58

PurplePunkPrincess I am sorry that you have SPD. Have you actually been told you are being considered for a c-section or is it just anxiety running mad.

SPD relaxes the ligaments too much and many women with SPD have an incredibly easy labour. My ligaments were so loose that dd shot out and I had a 2 minute second stage and the whole labour was about three hours. The pain of SPD is so horrific that being in labour didn't add to the pain.

I was told to give birth in a suppored kneeling position by the physio. I was recommend to have a ribbon so that I would not extend my legs apart more than was safe.

I hope your tattoo says in tact and that you have a lovely healthy baby.

PeachandRaspberry · 05/05/2014 16:02

They tend to be really, really low, yes.

Quite honestly, they don't tend to cut you open for fun, but for your health and your baby's health. It's only a tattoo.

Original poster

PurplePunkPrincess · 05/05/2014 16:03

I had spd very mildly with my second.
I don't know yet what the chances/risks of permanent damage are, but last pregnancy I wasn't told anything other than I could get crutches but it was no where near bad enough and I had a 1 year old. It wasn't even on my notes!

I desperately wanted a home birth but I am too high risk now but that was the plan!

OP posts:

BonjourMinou · 05/05/2014 16:05

Oh and I forgot to add, congratulations! Agree, best to have a chat with your midwife, I don't think a c-section scar would affect your tat, but yes, you do end up with a weird muffin top overhang, maybe go for the healthy happy baby and a lot of exercise (once you're allowed) to try and banish the muffin...

DebbieOfMaddox · 05/05/2014 16:05

Just measured the things I do for Mumsnet and my scar is barely a couple of mm above the natural hairline in the middle, rising to maybe a centimetre above at the sides.

A potential overhang (your "muffin top" thing) would be more likely to be an issue -- however, if you've bounced back abdominally from two pregnancies already then you are probably blessed with good genes in that area, so might well get away without it and if you do get one it can often be fixed with a lot of work. I bet Victoria Beckham doesn't still have an overhang, for example.

ExcuseTypos · 05/05/2014 16:06

I've and 2 Csections, one emergency and the second Elective.

The scar is very low down and I have no over hang at all.

I think you need to stop worrying about your tattoo and concentrate on getting the baby out the safest way possible.

Original poster

PurplePunkPrincess · 05/05/2014 16:09

I am ignoring the gross comments, I don't need to be concerned, each to their own. There is some lovely artwork being inked beautifully these days. If people really feel the need to click on the thread just to be judgemental and look like a fool, then let them make fools of themselves.

OP posts:

DebbieOfMaddox · 05/05/2014 16:09

In a VB scenario the important thing (re avoiding permanent damage) is not to let them pull your legs too far apart. That's why you need to be honest with your midwife, have "SPD" all over your notes and specifically mention it to every HCP you encounter. They aren't likely to pressure you into a c-section that you don't want unless your baby is at risk, but you need to make sure that your labour and delivery are properly and sensitively managed (which may mean you and your birthing partner becoming experts on the subject of VB in SPD and being prepared to be very assertive if the luck of the draw gets you a not-so-good midwife or doctor on the day).

Ludways · 05/05/2014 16:11

I have a tattoo to the right of my pubic hair, towards my hip. You can't even see it if I'm wearing a bikini.

They've cut through it twice when I had my c sections. The midwives in the theatre made the surgeon spend some extra time realigning it. It made for lots of chat and jollity. It's still perfectly aligned, just has a feint white line through it now.

In the second section, one of the midwives said "you've been here before, I recognise the tattoo", lol

Nothing wrong with mentioning it to your midwife, they'll put it in your notes and if possible they'll be considerate. Obviously baby comes first but if all things considered it's possible to care about your tattoo, they will.

Mignonette · 05/05/2014 16:14

It is worth mentioning to your OB that should you need a ELSCS, could they bear it in mind. You may as well as not all CS are done in utter last minute gotta-get-the-baby-out-now urgency.

Some surgeons pride themselves on their needle work. Some surgeons are doing their OBGYN rotation with a view to one day going into restorative and cosmetic surgery.

Maybe you'll get lucky and get one of these .

MrsCampbellBlack · 05/05/2014 16:15

I have had 3 c sections and my scar is small and very low down. If you end up with one am sure some judicious re inking later would sort it.

I did wonder if petals was a euphemism ??

Original poster

PurplePunkPrincess · 05/05/2014 16:26

Lol, no petals is not a euphemism. I feel a bit better knowing worse case scenario it doesn't mean it will get ruined.

I really wanted a home water birth to begin with, and a c section to me is the most opposite thing to that anyway!

I am nearly 35 weeks now, I'm not sure how much longer I can deal with the pain. I can barely walk to the downstairs loo and back without it being agony. I just can't wait until he's here and I'm no longer pregnant!

OP posts:

Sweetpea86 · 05/05/2014 16:28

What a bunch on nasty rude people on here. Try not to focus on your tattoo Hun. How far along are you as when your tummy gets bigger you will get stretch marks,

If worse case happened and you had to have a CS the scar is very subtle. (I've just had emcs 2 weeks ago. )

I've got dissolvable stitches and can't see any of them just a line.

It will be last thing on your mind honestly :)

Mignonette · 05/05/2014 16:34

Good luck with the birth and I hope your pain is over soon. It sounds awful Purple.

My C section scars are all over the shop because I have had both classical and lS incisions. However the LS incision has been opened up a few times now and is still a faint silvery line in a natural crease with 'whiskered ends' where the new incision deviated from the pre-existing one.

They are immaculately done and I have NO overhang so it is not inevitable.

Jcb77 · 05/05/2014 16:34

Secretspy - the most up to date study shows that induction does NOT increase the risk of c-section, but actually reduces it, and fetal poor outcomes in term pregnancies. It was published last month in the Canadian medical association journal (CMAJ).

First published April 28, 2014, doi: 10.1503/cmaj.130925 CMAJ April 28, 2014 cmaj.130925

You can google 'cascade if intervention' all you like but an awful lot if it doesn't distinguish between correlation and causation. I'm not saying it doesn't exist, but I think there are many more factors involved than discussed and it ignores the fact that many interventions are key to improving maternal and fetal safety.

LotsaTuddles · 05/05/2014 16:42

My EMCS scar is very low. The only person that will ever be able to see it is DH and DNieces and my own DC when we shower together or they follow me into toilet and any doctor/nurse/MW that asks to see it.

It's actually lower than my pubis line

Louise7486 · 05/05/2014 16:44

Jeez alot of negative comments here. I thought this was supposed to be a safe place to air your concerns. I think you will find this is just something this lady is thinking about, which to be honest I really don't see the big deal. She obviously is asking about her options, I doubt she will harm herself or her child over a tattoo. Are there no moderators who monitor troll such commetns such as 'tramp stamps'.
Great to see the support.
PurplePunkPrincess speak to the relevant people (professionals) and see what they say and then you'll have all the facts and you'll know what you are up against.
Ignore the haters!!

Chipandspuds · 05/05/2014 16:49

My friends c-section scar is just above her pubic hair line and not very wide - a lot smaller and lower than I would have imagined! Hopefully you will have a straightforward birth and not need a c-section, but if you do need a c-section I'm sure they will do their best to stitch it up as neatly as possible. If you get stretch marks in your tattoo I'm sure a good tattoo artist would be able to fill it in and re-touch it?

Matildasmam22 · 05/05/2014 16:53

Congratulations.

at some of the comments.

What's the difference between a person with tattoos and a person without?

A tattood person won't judge you for NOT having tattoos.

I hope you manage a natural birth and if not I'm sure a good artist might be able to hide the scar and freshen the tattoo up for you.

squizita · 05/05/2014 16:55

Not an expert on c sections but I understand the scars these days can be pretty thin and fine. Could you get work done over it if the silver line shows? I'm sure a good artist could fix it! A few friends have had scars covered effectively in this way (not c section but I guess the same could be done).

I am actually planning something to cover any scars from my clexane injections when the time comes, the skin on one side being quite unsightly. Was considering a "joke" of "blood is thicker than water" (Clexane being an anti coagulant) Sailor Jerry old school style.

springsummerautumnpresents · 05/05/2014 16:56

Don't mention the tattoo. Just explain to the midwife that you want a C-Section to be your last resort.

Pinkandpurplehairedlady · 05/05/2014 16:57

My DH is a tattooist and has fixed many tattoos that have gone a bit wrong due to pregnancy. Once your all healed pop along to see your artist to see you can get it redone / touched up.

MrsWolowitz · 05/05/2014 16:59

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

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