Some changes to our products and site.

It only takes a couple customer feedback to make us change our ways...because we know if 1 or 2 people take the time to email us, there's 100-200 more that have similar thoughts that don't say anything.

Introducing our NEWEST UltraFlex bar.   The pregnancy belly ring shown above is normal length, just over 1 inch, and is the most flexible, comfortable threaded bar we know of on the market.

We originally started out with the white 2 inch bars that most people are still using.  We've changed our material twice since then, and we no longer offer the 2 inch bars, as...face it... they are ridiculously long... and catch on everything under the sun.    Sure you can cut them off, but so many people don't because they are afraid of making a mistake.

The white bars were much cheaper, but not as flexible or smooth.  The new clear bars are ultra smooth and comfy. Yes...more expensive too.  The Ultras are easily 6 or 7 TIMES more expensive than the white bar, but we have strived to keep the costs low for our customers anyway.  The only prices we have increased have been our sterling silver dangles, since the silver market went sky high.

In any case, we have all three bars available in the accessories section at Maternity Piercings, in case anyone is interested in comparing them. We have also slightly changed the names.  The regular white bar which was our original 2 inch bar we used on everything, the SmoothFlex bar, which was our previous Ultra Flexibar, which we now use standard on all our non dangle times...and our newest UltraFlex bar, the best solid bar available for comfort.   As always, you can cut any of our bars to a shorter length, and you can use them with all your standard 14g balls and ends you have for your other body jewelry. 

Styles are available for everyday wear if you're not pregnant, but would like a longer length flexible belly ring for working out, horseback riding, or other sports, as well as those times of minor weight gain when those short steel bars can get very uncomfortable.

Stop by for a visit...  http://www.maternitypiercings.com

Don't Buy PLASTIC Pregnancy Belly Rings

There are a lot of people advertising "plastic" flexible belly rings.  Originally, the word plastic meant acrylic bars.  Before Bioplast and PTFE, these were the only flexible options out there. Some manufacturers still sell them.  They are not as safe as the modern alternatives. They are also not as flexible and comfortable.   If you see the word "plastic" on a body jewelry item, you should question exactly what kind of material they are referring to.  If they say it is acrylic, don't bother with it, especially during pregnancy.  It is ok if the balls or ends are made of acrylic, but not the material going through your piercing.

Another concern is that Bioplast and "bioplastic" and "bioflex" are not the same thing.  I actually had to question one of my suppliers offering "bio" product, as I had assumed they were the same material.  They had to admit they were acrylic!  The thing is, there are other sellers using these manufacturers and they are NOT asking...they are ASSUMING they are getting genuine bioplast.

PTFE is another very "flexible" term....ha ha...pardon the pun.   PTFE can be hollow, or solid, white, clear or colored.  The clearer the better, as in more flexible and comfortable. It is.  Hollow bars are considered "internal" meaning the ends slide in. Solid bars are like regular belly rings, the balls twist on, and you can even use the balls from your regular belly rings on these types of bars. 

Please visit the other sections of my blog here, or my FAQs on www.pregnancybellyrings.com

~Jeanne

Regular and Ultra FlexiBar Comparisons

Here is an example of our two kinds of flexi bars. 

The bar on the left is what most others use exclusively.  It is a great bar and very flexible, and was our one and only original bar when we pioneered threaded PBRs.  We still use it on our acrylic styles because it holds really tight.

The bar on the right is made with our Ultra Flexibar.  Both bars are cut to about 2 inches.  The Ultra bar is softer, and noticeably more flexible than the regular bar.  Ultra bars are standard on most of our dangles.  However, because they are also about 5 times more expensive, we do cut these to about 1 inch, which is the length most people will cut their pregnancy belly rings, and should suffice for the entire pregnancy.  However, extra bars up to 2" are available in our Accessories & Parts section.
While we do have wholesalers out there, most will acknowledge our brand on their site.  However, there are some "copycat" sites that seem to have the same or similar designs, but do not use the same quality products as we do.  If you have questions, let us know.

What You Should Look When Buying a Pregnancy Belly Ring

Pregnancy belly rings come in a variety of styles and materials these days.  Which is best for you?

The thing most pregnancy navel rings have in common is that they are made of a flexible material and are longer than normal length belly button rings.  Most can be cut shorter to fit whatever length is desired.  The balls or ends will rethread back onto the bar.

Some sellers are still trying to pass off regular plastic acrylic normal length belly rings as pregnancy belly rings.  Forget those.  They are too short and not flexible enough to be much difference than your steel bar.  They also cannot be rethreaded.  Be aware...

Some maternity belly rings are made of a material called Bioplast....also you will find similar names such as Bioplastic, or Bioflex.  Bioplast is the original and best of the "bio" names.  Anything else could actually be acrylic plastic...but usually at least longer in length.  If in doubt, ask the seller.   The drawback with real Bioplast is that the bottom is not removeable.  The bar and the bottom mold where the gems are set are generally one piece.  This is not a problem as long as you are very careful when you cut it.  If you cut it too short, you're stuck.  You can't replace the bar. Also sometimes the molds that are poured have a contoured back and do not lie flat.  Fine for most types of wear, but not great for later months of pregnancy because they can stick out quite a bit.

Most pregnancy belly rings are made of PTFE.  There is a wide range of PTFE.  Some types are far more flexible than others, and there is no standard on which you are getting.  Generally, the more "milky" colored the bar, the more the flexibility.  White or colored bars generally have the least flex, but are still fine for pregnancy.  In fact the less flexible ones can be easier to rethread.  They usually come about 2 inches long and you can cut them to whatever length you like.  However the super soft ones are definitely superior in comfort.  So it depends on whether you're shopping for price or flexibility.

The softest flexible milky colored bars sometimes come shorter than 2 inches because they are so soft, they are harder to rethead. (Usually just a basic steel ball works just fine as a threading ball.)  Although shorter than the 2 inch type, these shorter belly rings are usually at least twice as long as a regular belly ring.  On our site, for example they are just over 1 inch...or about 28-30mm long.  In comparison, a normal length belly ring is only 3/8", or 10mm long.  So a pregnancy navel ring of 2 inches is probably way too long, and really SHOULD be cut for daily use.

Some pregnancy navel rings are internally threaded, meaning the bar is hollow, and the ends slide in.  Most are externally threaded, which means the balls thread on like regular belly rings.  External also means you can use any standard 14g ball or end on them, (including ones you already own) and replacements are widely available for very little cost in case you loose the top ball when you're threading it back on.  About $2-3 per gem ball on our site.

Pregnancy belly rings can be basic or dangle styles, including baby themes like pink or blue colored pacifiers or "baby on board" etc   Some styles are just plain ball ends in different sizes or colors.  The smaller the ends, the less they will show through your fitted sweaters, etc.  Standard belly rings have bottom balls of 8mm.  You can find pregnancy belly rings with smaller ends than that, if desired.

A seller that offers replacement bars is a great find, especially if they offer the softest milky colored bars that are prethreaded for you.

The last thing you should consider when purchasing a pregnancy belly ring, is if there is a breakage guarantee.  A company that stands behind their products, is one that will work with you should something happen.  Sometimes this requires sending the jewelry back for repair, sometimes not.

Pregnancy Belly Button Rings

The introduction of navel piercings in the fashion world turned into a whirlwind of new piercing trends and body jewelry. Although many thought that belly button piercings were a passing fad, it looks like these piercings are as much here to stay as ear piercings are. Unfortunately, unlike the perfectly controlled world of fashion, normal women with normal lives deal with something the realization of being pregnant. And those short rigid steel bars were not made with expanding bellies in mind.

When acrylic bars came on the scene, some people figured out that tongue rings were twice as long as belly rings, and attempted to save their piercing with those. The problems with that though are that tongue rings are straight, and acrylic has very little flexibility. It also wasn't a widely approved material for piercings.

Many women who were adamant about keeping their piercing through pregnancy went to fishing line. And indeed some OB/GYNs even recommended it as a last resort. However, fishing line, which is also not approved for piercings, is also not the same gauge as a standard belly button ring. So after wearing the fishing line, many women were finding they could not go back to their belly rings.

Enter PTFE and Bioplast. These materials are non stick, hypo allergenic, safe and very flexible, and they can also be cut to fit whatever length is needed. Many styles are now available with more coming on the scene every month. A Google search for "pregnancy belly rings" shows a whole page of competition now, where only one or two stood out just a few years ago. Some styles, (primarily bioplast) have a non removeable bottom, but you can cut the top. As long as you don't make a mistake with the cutting, this is an excellent option. Medical grade PTFE is a non stick material that is perfect even for new piercings. As pregnancy belly rings, they usually are sold with both ends removeable, so not only can you use it during pregnancy, but if you want to return to a steel bar, the ends fit perfectly on those too.

Now pregnant women everywhere have the choice to keep their navel piercings.

See http://www.pregnancybellyrings.com/