Painting and Decorating!

[Ems]

Does anyone know the current health advice on painting (ie the fumes etc) whilst pregnant? Thanks.

No, but what a great opportunity to invent some theoretical risks and get your dh, mother , father, friends, whoever to do the decorating for you!

I have read that you should keep the room really well ventilated. It all depends what sort of paint you are using. Some are far more toxic than others. Check the VOC (Volatile Organic Compound) risk at the back of the tin - it is suppose to be on every brand. You want Low and medium is already quite high.

I agree with Jasper though

I spent many days of my last pregnancy (weeks 24-28)decorating ds room in the summer. dh being a dr was never around, so I just got on with it. Did use low VOC paints as Pupuce suggested, and eggshell instead of gloss for wood work. Keeping the windows open was no problem as it was so warm outside! and it was far less smelly. DH did manage to do most of the sanding to avoid me having to breath in the dust and fumes. Certainly something to avoid. This time I spent a very long w/e painting ds's new room (we've just moved again) (26weeks pregnant this time) but have flatly refused to do new baby's room. DH has finally agreed to hiring a decorator-yippee... he starts next week. Don't think I'll have any difficulty telling you which is the better of the 2 options!!

Thanks everyone i will let my friend know (not me who's preggy!) Honeybunny, it will be bliss to have that decorator, hope it all looks lovely for baby.