Wearing a special piece of jewelry can be comforting during labor, but you’ll want to keep things simple for your birthing day.
Earrings should be smallish and comfortable. Dangling styles or large hoops may be cumbersome when laboring and may get in the way of you grabbing a nap (if you get the chance). Lighter chain-style bracelets are safe to wear, but you’ll want to skip the bangles. This type of heavier bracelet may interfere with IV placement, which is typically in the lower arm.
Keep in mind that many birthing people experience an increase in swelling in the days following birth, so rings (especially toe rings) may become tight and difficult to remove. Some people choose to swap out their wedding band for a light, loose rubber style as they stretch to accommodate fluid shifts.
If you really want to wear a certain ring, consider putting it on a necklace. Necklaces are generally unobtrusive and can be a great way to keep a special ring close to you.
As for body piercings, vaginal piercings should be taken out before labor, since they can cause damage to your tissues during a vaginal birth. If you have a Cesarean birth, belly button rings and genital piercings would need to be removed, so you should take those out before labor starts.
