Lower back tattoo: OK to have an epidural?

A lower back tattoo won't necessarily prevent you from having an epidural during labor. The exception would be if the lower back tattoo covers a large area and the affected skin is still healing. Research on tattoos and epidurals is limited, however, and theoretical concerns — such as the development of skin cancer in the affected area years later — remain controversial.

If you have a lower back tattoo and decide to have an epidural during labor, the anesthesiologist will likely try to insert the needle through skin that isn't tattooed. If that isn't possible, he or she may nick the skin before inserting the needle to make sure no tattoo pigments are trapped inside the needle. You might also ask your health care provider about other options for pain relief during labor, such as relaxation exercises, breathing techniques, or oral or injected medications.