Someone just told me that that women with tattoos on their lower back cannot get an epidural. Is this true?

In most cases, it shouldn't be a problem unless the tattoo is "raised" (some tattoos are designed to look like bumps), swollen or oozing fluid. If the tattoo is recent and the affected skin is still healing then it might also be another deterrent. Research on tattoos and epidurals is limited and actual reports of problems associated with epidurals and lower back tattoos are pretty rare. If you have a lower back tattoo and decide to have an epidural during labour, the doctor will likely try to insert the needle through skin that isn't tattooed, such as an open area in the tattoo design. If possible, the doctor might choose a different space along your lower back. If that isn't possible, the doctor might scrape or nick a bit of your skin before inserting the needle. This reduces the possible risk associated with trapping tattoo pigment inside the needle and contaminating the anesthesia. I've plenty of mommy friends with lower back tattoos and so far, haven't heard of any associated problems with epidural administration but then again, their tattoos are pretty small and doesn't take up the whole of their back. They probably had their epidural administered in an area that's tattoo free. http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/labor-and-delivery/expert-answers/lower-back-tattoo/faq-20057949