Painting and decorating when preggers?

[Apple35]

Hi there

Read some conflicting advice online about painting whilst pregnant. I'm using water based paint and some gloss. Is this harmful?

Kind regards

I did it last week - I just made sure everything that could be opened was opened for air flow and took lots of breaks in the garden. It was low odour stuff too.

My midwife told me not to when I said we were finishing our house. Maybe ring and check with yours?

NHS advice:

www.nhs.uk/common-health-questions/pregnancy/can-paint-fumes-affect-my-unborn-baby/

I have been painting and decorating this week. Had the windows open, needed to anyway as it was hot. I think if there is a risk it applies to people breathing in the fumes all day long.

We bought a house in June, and started painting it straight away. I was 11 weeks then and I'm 19 weeks now, and still painting! All water based paints, my husband deals with the gloss. As long as you're sensible with opening windows and having regular breaks I think you'll be okay. I tend to do about an hour of painting every day after work, couple of hours tops at the weekend. I'd be more worried about tiring yourself out! Take it steady.

Thanks for the advice. Phoned up the advice line at the maternity hospital who advised that I can paint as long as the room is well ventilated.

We renovated two houses whilst I was pregnant. I did a whole host more than just painting! I found when glossing I'd get a bit light headed if I hadn't opened the window.