Would you paint while pregnant?

[Bondi_Girl]

Hi Telly,

I personally wouldn't paint myself, but I'm going to let DH go ahead and do it, I'll just stay away from it. This is pretty much because of the fumes the paint lets of & I get fairly sick when I inhale and have fainted on a couple of occasions in the past while painting rooms . I'd rather not do that while there's another little person inside me!

Though, if there's enough ventilation it should be fine ~ and don't stick your face too close to it either! :P

[nic]

My DH painted the entire inside of our house while i was pregnant with DD, and then painted the kids bedrooms when I was pregnant with DS.
Like everyone else has said, just make sure you have plenty of ventilation - doors and windows wide open. The onions in a bowl of water in the room helps too...it soaks up some of the smell somehow?
You can also get low odour paints as well.
Maybe also when you guys are pouring the paint from the tin to a tray or smaller pot, do it outside/away from where you are painting, that way you don't have a big 10 or 20 litre tin sitting around creating even more fumes.

Hoenstly, i don't think the water based paints now days are that smelly. I'd be more worried about sanding back old walls/ceilings that could be ridden with asbestos or painted back in the 70's - 80's with lead based paint more than anything.

[first_time_mummy]

hi,
i have been fixing up a bookshelf and chest of drawers for bubs nursery, and painted them whislt pregnant.

Mind you it was outside, so there was a little more fresh air, that being inside a house.

Maybe wear a dust mask or something, but im sure it should be okay. depending on the paint.

[~breeze~]

I painted my DD's (big) bedroom while pregnant... I was maybe 7 or 8 months PG? I used the non toxic & had all the windows open & took lots of breaks leaving XH to keep going in between time.

I suggest if you choose to paint, dont push yourself. If you need a break, take it. Try to remember you're not in your normal condition so if your body says stop then I'd stop. Dont feel bad about it taking alot longer than normal.

Keep the windows open too IMO

Have fun... a new coat of paint makes so much difference (it definately did with ours... I think I have pics in my gallery of DD's room before & after.... massive difference!)

[first_time_mummy]

I was cleaning the bathroom with bleach the other day, and totally didnt think to open a window for ventilation...i started feeling a little weird, and getting a sore throat, and it dawned on me....

went out for a breather, and made sure i opened the window...silly me...prob similar with paint...plenty of ventilation is a must