You're staring at your growing bump in the mirror and suddenly it hits you. That tiny piece of surgical steel or gold that’s been part of your look for years is starting to feel... tight. It’s tugging. Maybe it’s even a little red. You aren't alone in wondering if you have to say goodbye to your piercing for the next nine months. Honestly, the whole pregnant belly button ring situation is one of those niche pregnancy hurdles that people don't really prep you for in the "What to Expect" books.
It gets weird. Your skin stretches, your "innie" might become an "outie," and suddenly that standard 10mm barbell feels like a medieval torture device.
The short answer is: No, you don’t necessarily have to let the hole close up. But you definitely can't just leave your regular jewelry in and hope for the best.
The Physics of a Stretching Navel
Think about what's actually happening to your skin. As the uterus expands, the abdominal wall thins out and stretches to a degree that is, frankly, kind of terrifying if you think about it too hard. Your navel is essentially a scar—it's a weak point in the abdominal wall. When you have a piercing through that specific area, the tension is localized.
Standard jewelry is rigid. It’s usually made of 316L surgical stainless steel or titanium. Metal doesn't flex. Your skin does. When those two forces fight, the skin loses.
This leads to what piercers call "migration" or "rejection." If the jewelry is too short or too stiff, your body might literally push it toward the surface to relieve the pressure. Once that starts happening, you’re looking at permanent scarring. You've probably seen those "lightning bolt" stretch marks that radiate specifically from old piercing holes; that’s usually because the jewelry was left in too long.
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Enter the BioFlex Alternative
If you’re determined to keep the piercing, you’re going to hear a lot about PTFE (Polytetrafluoroethylene) or BioFlex. These are medical-grade, flexible plastics.
They are game-changers.
A pregnant belly button ring made of BioFlex is basically a long, bendy straw for your navel. They usually come in lengths of 25mm to 50mm, which is way longer than a standard bar. You can cut them down to size with a pair of scissors and then screw the metal balls onto the ends to create the threads.
Why does this matter?
- It bends with your body as you sit, stand, or sleep.
- It’s long enough to accommodate the "pop" when your belly button flattens out.
- It's usually hospital-safe for ultrasounds (though most techs will still ask you to pull it out for 30 seconds).
When to Actually Take it Out
I’ve talked to plenty of dermatologists and professional piercers—like those at the Association of Professional Piercers (APP)—and they generally agree on one thing: if the skin gets too thin, let it go.
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If you start seeing the metal bar through the skin (the "translucent" look), you’re in the danger zone. That’s rejection. Take it out immediately. It is much easier to get re-pierced after you've healed from birth than it is to fix a bifurcated navel or deep keloid scarring.
Also, infections. Pregnancy makes your immune system act a bit wonky. If you notice discharge that isn't clear, or if the area feels hot to the touch, don't just "wait and see." A localized infection near your midline during pregnancy is something your OB-GYN needs to know about.
Realities of the Third Trimester
By week 34, everything is tight. Even the most flexible pregnant belly button ring can start to feel annoying. Some women choose to ditch the jewelry and just run a thick piece of sterilized fishing line or a "piercing retainer" through the hole once a day to make sure it hasn't closed.
It’s a solid middle-ground.
You should also be aware of the "ultrasound factor." Most sonographers aren't going to yell at you, but the jewelry can cause "shadowing" on the image. If they’re trying to get a clear shot of the baby’s heart or spine and your jewelry is in the way, they’ll ask you to remove it. Having a flexible retainer makes this a five-second fix instead of a struggle with a captive bead ring.
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What About the Birth?
If you end up needing a C-section, the jewelry has to go. Period.
Operating rooms use electrocautery tools to stop bleeding, and metal jewelry can technically pose a burn risk if the current arcs. Even if you're planning a vaginal birth, many hospitals have policies against jewelry in case of an emergency transition to the OR.
Just put it in your hospital bag in a small Ziploc bag. You’ll have more important things to worry about in the moment, but you'll be glad you know where it is three days later.
Postpartum Re-entry
Don't try to put your "cool" jewelry back in the day after you get home. Your skin is going to be incredibly soft and "deflated." The hole might look stretched out or strangely positioned. Give it six weeks. Let your core strength return and your skin regain some elasticity.
If you find that the hole has shrunk, don't force a 14-gauge needle through it. Go see a professional. They can use a "taper" to gently stretch the tissue back to its original size without causing a new wound.
Actionable Steps for Navigating Your Piercing
- Swap early: Don't wait for it to hurt. Switch to a 2-inch BioFlex or PTFE barbell around the beginning of your second trimester (weeks 14–16).
- Check the gauge: Ensure you are buying 14g (the standard size). Buying a 16g "thin" bar might seem easier, but your hole will shrink to fit it, making it impossible to go back to your old jewelry later.
- Keep it clean: Use a simple saline spray (like NeilMed) once a day. Avoid harsh soaps or "belly oils" directly in the piercing hole, as these can trap bacteria.
- Listen to the itch: If the skin around the piercing gets incredibly itchy, it might not just be a stretch mark. It could be a reaction to the jewelry material or a sign the skin is under too much tension.
- The "Retainer" trick: If you hate the look of the long "antennae" bars, buy a small silicone retainer. It’s invisible under clothes and keeps the path open without the bulk.
- Consult the pros: If you see any signs of migration (the holes getting further apart or the skin between them getting narrower), see a piercer. They can tell you if it's saveable or if you're risking a permanent "zipper" scar.
Your body is doing something incredible. If your piercing survives the journey, awesome. If it doesn't, it’s a small price to pay for the human you’re busy building. You can always get the sparkle back later.