Piercings During Labour and Childbirth: Hospital Protocol

Pregnancy versus labour, different questions

Piercings during pregnancy generally, whether to keep them, adjust them for changing anatomy, or remove them entirely, is covered in the pregnancy-focused guide. This cluster covers something more specific: the 48 hours around delivery itself. What does the maternity unit actually require during active labour and delivery? What can you keep? What needs to go? And what should you do differently if your birth becomes complicated?

This guide covers hospital-standard labour protocols, what most units require, common variations between hospitals, and how to prepare a small removal kit for your hospital bag. The general principle: most piercings can stay through most of labour, but specific situations (emergency caesarean, epidural placement, monitoring equipment) may require quick removal. Being prepared makes those moments easier.

 

What most maternity units require

Standard requirements

Hospital protocols vary between units, but most maternity teams follow these general principles.

•         Oral piercings (tongue, lip) are usually asked to be removed on admission, particularly if caesarean or general anaesthetic is a possibility

•         Navel piercings are often asked to be removed if they might interfere with foetal monitoring or caesarean incision

•         Facial piercings (nostril, septum, eyebrow) usually can stay unless there is a specific medical reason

•         Ear piercings generally can stay throughout labour and delivery

•         Nipple piercings can typically stay through vaginal delivery, but some units ask for removal, and they need to be out for breastfeeding

•         Genital piercings usually need to be removed before active pushing stage

Why these specific requirements exist

•         Anaesthetic access, oral piercings can interfere with intubation if general anaesthetic is needed for emergency caesarean

•         Monitoring equipment, some equipment sits over or near navel and nipple areas

•         Surgical field, caesarean incisions are near the navel; genital piercings interfere with vaginal delivery

•         Emergency preparedness, jewellery that can be quickly removed is preferable to jewellery that might need to be cut off during an emergency

•         Postnatal breastfeeding, nipple piercings need to be out for feeding regardless

 

The specific piercings and what to do with each

Ear piercings

•         Almost always can stay through labour and delivery

•         If you want to remove for comfort during long labour, do so at any point

•         Consider that hospital beds and pillows can press against ear cartilage piercings during extended time in bed

Nostril and septum piercings

•         Usually can stay throughout labour

•         Septum piercings can flip up inside if the piercing catches on oxygen mask or other equipment

•         Discuss with the midwife on admission if you have concerns

Oral piercings (tongue, lip, cheek)

•         Usually removed on admission or shortly after

•         Reasons include potential general anaesthetic (emergency caesarean), interference with breathing tubes if needed, difficulty with post-labour hydration

•         Bring a container to keep the jewellery in your hospital bag

•         Discuss reinsertion timing with the midwife after delivery

Navel piercings

•         Many units ask for removal on admission, some allow retainers

•         Foetal monitoring equipment often sits over the navel area

•         Caesarean incisions are often made near the navel, so removal is essential if caesarean is planned or becomes necessary

•         If you have retainers available (PTFE curved barbells), bring them, some units accept these

•         If your navel piercing is recent (under 6 months), removing it may cause it to close; discuss with your piercer beforehand

Nipple piercings

•         Practices vary widely between hospitals

•         Some units require removal on admission, some allow them through vaginal delivery

•         Nipple piercings must be out for breastfeeding, if you plan to breastfeed, plan for extended removal

•         If you do not plan to breastfeed and had a vaginal delivery without complications, you may be able to reinsert soon after

Genital piercings

•         Should be removed before active pushing stage of vaginal delivery

•         Discuss with the midwife on admission about timing

•         Emergency caesarean scenarios require immediate removal

•         Genital piercings that are fully healed and long-term usually reinsert well after healing from birth (6+ weeks postnatal)

 

Preparing your hospital bag

 

If your labour becomes complicated, the medical team may need to make quick decisions about jewellery.

•         Emergency caesarean, all abdominal-area and oral piercings must be removed immediately

•         Foetal distress requiring quick intervention, allow the team to remove whatever they need to

•         Postpartum haemorrhage requiring surgery, follow surgical team's guidance for jewellery

•         If time does not permit careful removal, the team may cut jewellery, prioritise the medical emergency

•         Piercings can be re-pierced later; complications from delayed intervention cannot be undone

 

After delivery

First 24 hours

•         Focus on recovery and bonding, piercing reinsertion is not urgent

•         Ear and facial piercings that stayed in can continue as normal

•         Piercings that were removed can wait until you are stable and comfortable

•         Do not attempt reinsertion when tired or in pain

First few days postpartum

•         Standard piercings that were removed briefly (few hours) can usually be reinserted with basic sterile technique

•         Piercings that closed during longer removal may need re-piercing later

•         Wait until you feel physically stable before dealing with piercing reinsertion

•         Standard aftercare applies if any piercings had jewellery replaced

Postpartum specifics

•         Nipple piercings, wait until breastfeeding is fully established (or ended, if not breastfeeding)

•         Genital piercings, wait for physical healing from birth (6+ weeks minimum), consult your midwife and piercer

•         Navel piercings, if the piercing closed, wait for postpartum abdominal healing before re-piercing

•         Any postnatal complications override piercing considerations, prioritise recovery

 

Shop the look

•         PTFE retainers (order from your piercer)

•         Starter labrets

•         Small hoops for postnatal wear

 

Internal links

•         Temporary piercing removal, complete guide

•         Piercings during pregnancy

•         Piercings before surgery

•         PTFE retainers used medically

 

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to remove my piercings for labour?

Some yes, most no. Standard requirements at most maternity units include removing oral piercings (tongue, lip) on admission for potential anaesthetic access, and often navel piercings for monitoring and possible caesarean. Ear piercings, most facial piercings, and nipple piercings can usually stay through vaginal delivery. Genital piercings need to be out before active pushing. Practices vary between hospitals, so ask your midwife specifically when you go through your birth plan.

Can I keep my navel piercing during labour?

Sometimes yes, sometimes no. Practices vary between hospitals. Some units ask for removal on admission because of foetal monitoring equipment placement and potential caesarean incision proximity. Some allow PTFE retainers to keep the piercing open without metal. Some allow the piercing to stay through vaginal delivery. If your navel piercing is recent (under 6 months), plan carefully because removing it may cause closure. Discuss with your midwife when you review your birth plan.

When should I remove my oral piercings for labour?

On admission to the maternity unit, or slightly earlier. Oral piercings (tongue, lip) are usually removed early because they can interfere with breathing tube placement if emergency general anaesthetic is needed. Even if you plan a vaginal delivery, emergency caesarean scenarios happen and preparation matters. Bring a labelled container in your hospital bag for the jewellery, do not lose the pieces during labour.

Do I need to remove nipple piercings for breastfeeding?

Yes, always. Nipple piercings must be removed for breastfeeding, jewellery interferes with latch and can be dangerous if the baby dislodges it. If you plan to breastfeed, remove nipple piercings before labour or immediately after delivery, and plan for the piercings to be out for as long as you breastfeed (which may be months or years). If you do not plan to breastfeed, discuss timing with the maternity team based on your specific situation.

What if I need an emergency caesarean, will they cut my piercings off?

They will remove whatever they need to remove, quickly. In genuine emergencies where time does not permit careful removal, the surgical team may cut jewellery. This is why disclosing piercings on admission matters, the team can plan accordingly rather than discovering them mid-emergency. Piercings can be re-pierced later; complications from delayed intervention cannot be undone. If a piercing is important to you and there is any chance of caesarean, remove it in advance and use retainers.

Can I use PTFE retainers during labour?

Often yes, discuss with your midwife on admission. PTFE retainers are non-metallic, non-conductive, and non-magnetic, addressing the medical concerns with jewellery in most obstetric scenarios. Get retainers from your piercer well before your due date and practise insertion. Bring them in your hospital bag with size information written on the container. Some units accept retainers routinely, some only allow them in specific circumstances, ask specifically.

How soon after birth can I reinsert my piercings?

Depends on the specific piercing and how the birth went. Ear and facial piercings that stayed in throughout can continue as normal. Piercings removed briefly (few hours) can be reinserted once you are stable and comfortable, typically within 24 to 48 hours. Nipple piercings must wait until breastfeeding is fully established or ended. Genital piercings must wait for physical healing from birth, minimum 6 weeks, longer if there were complications. Consult your midwife and piercer about your specific situation.