Painting during pregnancy

[1990fran]

Hi all

Im 23 weeks and wondering if I am able to use paint, basic emulsion and furniture paint if i open windows etc, trying to get house and baby room sorted but worried about any complications it could cause?!

Thanks

I'd say emulsion is ok but gloss is stinkier

As far as I am aware, painting is perfectly safe (emulsion is at least). Furniture paint etc I'm not sure on but I've painted using emulsion and friends did during pregnancy too with no concerns from midwives over it xx

I've decorated throughout this pregnancy, used emulsion, gloss & furniture paint. It didn't even cross my mind that it might not be allowed!

I asked my midwife, and the man at the Dulux shop, and they both said they reckoned the main risk was that I'd be off balance up a ladder and fall! Midwife also mentioned that pregnancy werewolf nose might mean the smell would bother me more/make me feel nauseous, but that it wouldn't do me any harm.

Ive just completely decorated 2 bedrooms and also the furniture - I use eggshell on the skirtings though not gloss and chalk based furniture paint - I just make sure all the windows are open

Water based emulsion, gloss etc is fine. Steer clear of solvent based paints if you can. I painted the nursery top to bottom when I was pregnant with my son but got help with some stain block in our bedroom before giving it the emulsion coats myself.

I've read paint fumes are not good. Can your partner do this but for you?

The dulux website says it’s fine! Emulsion wouldn’t worry me but I’d not expose myself to oil based paints like gloss without good ventilation. NHS website says it’s unlikely to cause any issues which is lucky as I’ve been painting the nursery the last few days :)

I did with dd. We used voc free paint. Slightly more expensive, but some evidence to suggest it's not as harmful to yours (or children's lungs. It didn't smell.

@WhatNameToChooseNow

I've read paint fumes are not good. Can your partner do this but for you?

Read where? I read that the royal family were all lizards in skin suits, and that Brexit would mean the NHS got £300mil extra a month.

Paint fumes might make you feel a bit sick in pregnancy (as might the smell of toast, or petrol, or your husband) but they might not. They won't harm you either way.

I read on the nhs that paint that you can clean from the brush using water (so emulsion) is safe but paint you'd need to use white spirit to clean from a brush, so gloss etc then this isn't advised. I painted using emulsion in this pregnancy but I wouldn't use smelly paints like gloss or anything like primers etc xx

I painted the entire house with DP with emulsion and gloss paint and I was fine. The gloss can be a bit smelly which made me feel ill so I'd say open the windows but you'll be okay.

I wouldn't think twice about painting, no reason you can't. We're starting an extension, 2 new bathrooms and lots of decorating from next month (3rd trimester) lol.

It's fine. I painted ds nursery at 7 months pregnant and painted his new bedroom at 6 months.
Just avoid anything solvent based.

I'm 33 weeks and decorating babys room at the minute. Used emulsion paint for walls and satin wood for skirting boards, door frame, window sill etc. I haven't needed to open the window when doing the emulsion (using Wilko paint) as it dosent smell.

We’ve just moved house and I’ve painted the whole house. I asked my midwife and she said as long as the rooms are ventilated.. I will warn you, I was exhausted afterwards but other than that it’s fine! :)

Thanks everyone for your replies! The paint i want to use is rust oleum satin paint for furniture I will maybe bring chairs into the garden and do it so there is a lot of fresh air around me and put a mask on for extra caution

Thank you x

Just jumping on this thread, hoping it is still active. People have mentioned not using solvent based paints when pregnant, which I’ve also read online, but with no real reason as to why. What is the risk in using this? Im freaking out a bit as my husband is painting bathroom tiles and whilst I’m not spending too much time around it the smell is moving through the house so I’m definitely inhaling some.