Being Pregnant
20 Beautiful Tattoos Inspired by Motherhood, Pregnancy and Loss
I have a huge connection to tattoos. The whole concept of having a part of your life always with you is something I find very powerful. As a mom of multiple miscarriages, the feeling of representing those children I never got to see grow up as art on my body has helped heal me in so many ways. It helps me feel that they are still close and it opens up a lot of conversations with people who ask what they mean – which is a good thing.
I have a few tattoos in several places. Some for motherhood, some for loss, some for other relationships in my life, and they all have very significant meanings for me. I love hearing about why others decided to get tattooed – they often have some amazing stories behind them.
Click through to see 20 reader-submitted tattoos that represent their motherhood:
Tattoo Submitted by: Sarah
:: Do you have any tattoos representing pregnancy or motherhood? ::
Read more from Devan on Accustomed Chaos & Unspoken Grief
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Related Posts:
10 Breathtaking Henna and Body Painted Bellies
11 Incredible Breastfeeding Images in Ancient Art
For more motherhood inspired tattoos check out 15 Cool Tattoo Ideas for Moms on Family Style
Go Back To Being Pregnant
21 Comments
Blaine commented on Nov 21 11 at 12:00 pmI have a tattoo on my left wrist with one large flower and two small flowers representing my husband, our son and our daughter. It has leaves and scrolly bits and my kids’ initials.
I admire the strength you women have, your tattoos are beautiful.
Kayla @ TheEclecticElement commented on Nov 21 11 at 12:19 pmWhat beautiful tributes-unfortunately my parents (especially my mom) are dead set against tattoos that they have forbid my sister and I from getting them while we live under their roof.
Which is find, but they don’t understand the other side of getting a tattoo-the meaningful, powerful side.
I can’t wait until I’m able to get many, many tattoos :)
Robin @ Farewell, Stranger commented on Nov 21 11 at 12:45 pmWhat a totally amazing gallery. I loved every one. Thanks for sharing it, Devan.
mybottlesup commented on Nov 21 11 at 2:16 pmthanks for including me, devan! quite a killer display you collected. xoxo
Sunday Stilwell commented on Nov 21 11 at 3:18 pmThank you Devan for including my tattoo in your list. It really means so much to me to read the stories behind each of these tattoos.
Jessica commented on Nov 21 11 at 3:19 pmThose are all so beautiful! I would love to get a tattoo in honor of my two boys and one to remember my one loss, but I really am too much of a wimp! :)
Ruth commented on Nov 21 11 at 3:42 pmThanks for including mine devan! These are amazing!
Mel Gallant commented on Nov 21 11 at 3:48 pmThe tattoos shared here are beautiful as are the stories of their significance. I have several tattoos commemorating moments of importance. I’ve yet to get one in celebration of my daughter’s birth. I know I want a bird, but I’m not sure which one just yet.
Brandi commented on Nov 21 11 at 3:50 pmI think that all the tats are beautifull. I have always wanted foot prints of my kids on my foot, but then got a tatoo on my ankle and now am concerned I am not “meaty” enough there…I love the one Mary made..( I am sorry for your loss)…my theme on my body is butterflies (i have 5) and you have inspired me to have 3 new buttlerflies placed on me, so thank you for your creativity:)
Stephine commented on Nov 21 11 at 4:08 pmI have my sons name and his small little foot prints and hand print on my right forearm. I will forever cherish it. There are pictures on my blog, wish I had seen this. You ladies have some beautiful tattoos.
Shantel commented on Nov 21 11 at 4:08 pmI have my son Brady’s name and birthdate tattooed in between my shoulder blades. It has little tiny feet, stars and swirls surrounding it. My husband took the picture of Brady’s feet from when he was born and has them tattooed on the back of his neck along with his name. We also have the tattoo BASH, mine on the inside of my right ankle and my husband has his on the back of his right calf. It stands for Brady(my son) Alex(my husband) Shantel(me) Hoffman(our last name).
Thank you for sharing those beautiful photos! I loved the stories behind them!
Terry commented on Nov 21 11 at 4:13 pmYou have pretty feet.. Awesome artwork!!
Caitie commented on Nov 21 11 at 7:44 pmHow beautiful. The week after my husband and i got married i got a tattoo to symbolize our family on my back i have two sparrows to represent our children. At the time we had our son whos name is written under a sparrow and the other was for the second child we were planning on (which we are now expecting in may) They are holding up a banner that says mother and wife (which is my life dream.) Some people grow up wanting to be a doctor or astronaut, i just wanted to be a mommy :)
Julie commented on Nov 22 11 at 12:27 amI have the names of my children tattooed on my right ribs. My son’s name is Sanskrit and my daughter’s is Arabic so they are done in each language.
Tonya commented on Nov 22 11 at 1:24 amSome of these are just gorgeous. I love my tattoos! I have three and I want more.
Carey commented on Nov 22 11 at 2:07 amThanks for doing this Devan and including my tattoo to remember and honor my boys. I really enjoyed the other tattoos and reading everyone’s stories. xoxo
vicki commented on Nov 22 11 at 9:19 amI am a tattooed momma and pretty proud of it. Some of my tattoos are just for me because i liked them others have quite a profound meaning. on each foot i have a tattoo for each one of my 2 beautiful little girls, and around my wrist i have a lizard to represent my youngest sister who committed suicide, lizard was her nickname so now, in almost everything i do I can look down and be reminded of the time i had with her. to each there own but i think wether a tattoo is for something special or just because you like it no one should be judged!!
jess commented on Nov 22 11 at 11:34 amThank you for featuring my tattoo Devan! All the others are gorgeous <3
Jennifer commented on Nov 22 11 at 2:48 pmI have my oldest daughters name and a fairy tattooed on my left shoulder blade. I got a fairy because she only weighed 4lbs when she was born. She was my little fairy.
Anne commented on Nov 30 11 at 12:25 amThese are all beautiful, and so touching. I almost cried reading them … I have none yet, but I am planning one (possibly next week!) It will be a stylized flaming Aries sign (my own), with aka in red Celtic lettering (my initials, including my maiden name; those will always belong to me, even if I were to be married and divorced a dozen times over!), surrounded by a crescent moon (my married name, which I’ve kept; I’ve always love the moon and its symbology, as well … ) Between the points of the moon, cradled, I will have each of my daughters’ zodiac signs, in order: Libra, Taurus, and Leo. All highly personal aspects of my own life, my identity, and what I cherish … The moon’s points will cradle my children, as I do, and they will all be together, as they are in life …
Stephanie commented on Dec 13 11 at 12:55 amwhat an amazing collection of photos. i cried through the entire album. i could not imagine the loss of a child, and consider myself very lucky to have 2 healthy boys. i will say here and now that those of you that have lost children, are more woman than i will ever be. i could not imagine continuing on. props to all of you, and your beautiful artwork! <3
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