To Paint or Not to Paint During Pregnancy???

Hi J.,
My doctor told me it was perfectly safe to paint while pregnant. He said the only time it could be harmful is if you paint for a living where you are continually exposed to paint.

But if you want to get out of actually doing the painting, you could just play the "I don't really think it is safe for the baby" card and supervise.:)

Hope that helps,
S. M.

Hi,
I haven't seen this mentioned yet, so I thought I would say something. There are non-toxic paints called milk paints. They are very old fashioned, over 6000 years old, and give these wonderful colors. As they are made of milk, they are very safe.

http://www.milkpaint.com/index.html

Sherwin Williams sells a no VOC paint called Harmony that works great. It's all I use now and can be tinted in any color.

No, you can't paint. Chances are, you would be fine, but why take the risk? And, you say yourself that the room is small so it shouldn't take long for him to do. There are certain things that he can't help with in this time period, like carrying the child to term, and there are certain things you can't help with, like painting! Be a team!

I painted when I was 8 1/2 months with my first. Just make sure the air circulates so you don't breathe in too many fumes...and don't stand on a ladder. I did all the low parts, and we had the window open (P.S. it was November in Omaha, NE...so yes it was chilly, but it was ok).

We were doing a major painting project when we were trying to conceive, and we had a large living room, hallway, and entrance area that needed to be done (the bedrooms had been finished, and my hubby did the kitchen when I was away for a weekend for a writer's retreat).

For some reason, Thursday night before the weekend we had designated as "the painting weekend," I looked at my husband and said, "I need to make sure I'm not pregnant before we do this." I'd read how being pregnant and the paint fumes and stuff in the paint just don't mix. I took a pg test, and yep! it was positive.

My husband ended up calling his mother (who loves to paint) who was able to come up for the weekend and help him paint. I left the house and stayed in a hotel. There was no way I was going to jeopardize either myself or my baby. But that's my opinion, and that's what I did. To this day, I still think it was the right decision.

I painted our nursery at 7 1/2 months along. It was what my Hubby and I did on New Year's eve before our daughter was born. (Best New Years Eve EVER) I wore a mask and had the windows cracked open and in Wisconsin on New Years it was a bit chilly but well worth it. Just be careful. If you get tired take a break, don't over do it.

Hi

Congratulations first of all. My answer is to supervise, if its such a small room I'm sure your husband will have it done in no time. I say you should decorate and have him paint.

the sheet from my dr says it's ok to paint while pregnant, just be careful to not strain yourself, keep the area well ventilated and avoid oil based paint :)

I painted at abut 8-8 1/2 months pregnant (b/c I am a big procrasinator). From a physical stand point, do what you are comfortable with that is within any restrictions from your MD. As far as fumes--go to the paint store and check out the face masks--I was able to find one that blocked the fumes. It was hot, but it worked--the sales people should be able to help you!

Go ahead and paint the room if you are up to it! Just leave the windows open, which you would probably do if you were pregnant or not. Check for the best type of paint to use, as other posters have said. And just take it slow, if you are concerned about the physical activity.

You will be fine if you go with the NO VOC or even the LOW VOC paint. :)

I painted during my pregnancies. Make sure you are using Latex based paint and take some breaks. You DO NOT want to paint with oil based because of the fumes. If he wants to paint, let him, however I enjoyed painting as it gave me somthing to do....

Congrats!!!

I painted during both my pregnancies & everything was fine. I'd say if you are having a normal pregnancy & are otherwise healthy, go ahead. Just make sure the room is well ventilated, don't overdo it, and be careful!

You will be fine. I painted when I was pregnant 3 years ago. I wore a mask and latex gloves. I also cracked open windows while I painted. My daughter is perfectly fine. Good luck

I know you've gotten a lot of advice, but I wanted to say that when I was 8 mo's pregnant with my daughter we needed to paint her nursery and our dining room. I asked my OB and she said as long as its latex and not oil based its perfectly safe. The only risk is the smell making you feel sick to your stomach and if that happens, just take a break. :)

I know it has been said before, but get a no voc paint. they are everywhere now. have fun!!

Hi J.,

I absolutely painted during my pregnancies - I talked to my mid-wife about it and she not only supported me doing it but she painted as well when she was pregnant. Most paints are water-based now - you just wouldn't want to use an oil-based paint.

Have fun!

i know some women said they painted after the first trimester...i even painted in it! we got low fume paint and opened the windows. and i'd do it again. theres a million reasons why someone could've lost a baby (like a response said) and i agree u don't want to take chances. but i just believe if its going to happen, its going to happen. and though i never would have gone skydiving or binge drinking....
its all your choice is my point. i'm a hair designer as well....up to my elbows in aveda haircolor all the time. and some people choose not to color their hair during pregnancy...obviously for me it wasn't an issue. i'd paint but its only your choice...just as many new decisions will be..don't let anyone else make choices for you and your baby!

I would just look for low VOC (volatile organic compound) paint, leave the windows open, and go for it! It's better to have low VOC paint anyway, especially in a baby's room.

I helped to paint our son's room when I was 6 months pregnant. It was a small room with two windows as well. We didn't open windows since it was cold out but used Latex based paint and I was fine.

J.,

It's safe to paint after the first trimester with good ventilation. There are also low fume paints you can buy at the local hardware store - I know Home Depot carries them.

Congrats,
S.

Look for a safe, non toxic paint at a paint store, one with zero VOC's. I know Sherman William's, Hirshfields, and Benjamin Moore all sell them.

I lost a baby at 31 weeks. I don't take chances. Don't paint!

The main reason that there are warnings on the paint can is due to paint removal, not application. Obviously do not scrape anything that could have lead paint and I would generally advise against sanding because the small particles get everywhere. Painting with acrylic paints is fine -- I have done it while pregnant and plan to paint my new baby's room myself as well. Low VOC paint and ventilation are good precautions if you are worried.

I painted many rooms during both of my pregnancies. Just make sure you are not straining yourself and ventilate the room. I'd probably let hubby do all the high places.

My husband and I moved into our home when I was 7 months pregnant and there was a lot to do including taking down ugly wall paper border and painting. I was very concerned about fumes and such affecting the baby. We ended up painting one room at a time with a low VOC paint (Dutch Boy Refresh) and plenty of ventilation. I helped with most of it and the paint we used had very very little smell. We had to prime one room and that was the only part I didn't help with because the primer wasn't low VOCs and was pretty strong. My little guy just turned a year and he's perfectly healthy and happy. :) So I would try to find a low (or no) VOC paint, ventilate well, and trust your instinct from there. If you feel like you need to quit, quit. If you feel good, no light-headedness, happy painting!

I painted while I was pregnant. Just keep the windows open in the room and take frequent breaks in fresh air. You could also buy a mask.

I have painted during pregnancy - just ventilate well! Also, you could look at low-VOC paint, so the fumes are minimal. Every major brand of paint, Sherwin Williams, Ben Moore, etc, will have one. Just ask at the store, and they will lead you to the right one. I have used Duration Home from Sherwin Williams many times, with great results - and it's washable! Good luck!
T. Larsen, ASID
http://www.tlarsendesign.com