Decorating/DIY while pregnant

[abs1232]

Hi All, this is niche so I dont know if anyone will be/have been in the same boat. I'm 6 weeks pregnant and my husband and I are in the middle of renovating our house. It's mainly straight forward updating/decorating but the whole of our upstairs, stairs and hallway are currently gutted (apart from the bedroom and ensuite which we've finished). It all needs painting now but I've read that you should avoid painting in the first trimester! 😬 The trouble is, there's so much to do I would feel awful about leaving my husband to do it all on his own. There are 7 rooms which all need multiple mist coats, then 2 coats of paint, then all woodwork glossing etc. I was just wondering if anyone had been in a similar boat and what you did? TIA x

You won’t feel like doing it in your third trimester as it can be difficult even standing due to the weight - and also dangerous because of fumes/falls

You won’t feel bad for your husband at that point believe me - he will feel bad making you do anything

Also I was reaching for something and my waters broke early - so just don’t stress yourself out at that point

Can’t you just do it now? Or hire someone to help

Oh sorry I completely misread this! I think first trimester is ok as long as you don’t feel nauseous, use non toxic fumes and don’t stretch yourself - maybe sit down and paint the bottom bits/skirting walls?

We were in the same position. DP just did what he could. It involved me taking DS upstairs on occasion so he could sand or finish the floor etc. Don't put pressure on yourself to contribute but equally do what you can now as it's tricky afterwards.

*non toxic paints
** skirting boards

Sleep deprived sorry!

God I was putting blinds and curtain poles up alone at 33 weeks. I had so much energy my whole pregnancy nothing stopped me. Just do what you feel or welcome the help.

Use low VOC paint and open a window.

And we decorated our whole house as we moved when I was 8 weeks pregnant. No issues with paint fumes.

I am 5+3 and we were in the same position a couple of weeks ago. Everything I read on mumsnet reassured me...pregnant women are going to be painting babies rooms! However, I would not paint myself...I even stayed in a hotel a couple nights, and didn't sleep near the part of the house we were having painted. It just isn't worth it...we were trying for ages to have a baby...and the worry is worse than any potential harm. My mum was varnishing and everything so I'm sure it's fine....but the anxiety is a killer xx

Thanks everyone. It's such a minefield isn't it! He's sanding all the walls today and I'm not going anywhere near it while he's doing that because of all the dust. I've got a really heavy duty dust mask which I'm putting on if and when I need to go outside the safety of the living room 🤣

Its frustrating too because I know our friends would help, but I'm only 6+3 so it's way too early to tell them why we need the help 🤣

I've read on the NHS website about precautions you should take if you do need to decorate so I'll just have to make sure I'm fully covered head to toe and be very careful.

Aslong as the rooms are well ventilated then you will be fine. Open all the windows and keep doors open in the house. Honestly you will be glad you got it done now because you will get to a stage when you won't be able to do nothing.

I've pretty much carried on as normal throughout pregnancy. I'm 29 weeks and just decorated 3 bedrooms, lifted, painted, taken things to the top etc. I never even thought not to as I thought most people did the same 🤷‍♀️

We redecorated while o was pregnant. The smell of gloss made me feel sick, but the water based gloss or emulsion paint was fine.

We bought and decorated a whole house throughout my current pregnancy. Nearly 34 weeks and was sitting on the work tops painting my kitchen earlier. I wouldn't get up a ladder now though although I did when I was a lot smaller

I have here. We bought a renovation project, its needed stuff doing the whole time otherwise would be even worse when baby arrives.

I sanded the whole balconies and stairway at 3-8 weeks. Varnished everything (ventilated rooms and outside, wore a proper mask)

We have had builders in the last few weeks, so dust everywhere, but windows opened and its cleaned regularly. I have been sealing new doorways and painting the last week (22 weeks), and have several things I will do over the next few months.

Just don't lift heavy things, not high up ladder if feeling lightheaded, and ventilate well. Most paints are low toxin nowadays with very little smell

I painted a couple of rooms and a hallway at 20+ weeks. You'll be fine.

Thanks everyone 😊