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Please help!! Going out of my mind with worry! Exposure to paint dust and just found out I’m pregnant!

12 replies

SantiagoSister · 28/11/2021 17:36

I am 4 weeks pregnant. We are currently decorating upstairs and my partner was sanding the walls using an electric sander, he closed the doors and taped it all up to minimise the dust around the house, and he had a mask on and the window open. I stayed downstairs in the kitchen to keep away from the dust as I didn’t have a mask. Unbeknown to me, the crazy wind we’ve had this weekend was blowing the sanding dust down through the floorboards into the soil pipe tube which runs down a corner in our kitchen, which filled the kitchen with sanding dust. It was so fine I didn’t even notice it, I was in there for nearly 2 hours breathing it in without knowing. When I looked around I noticed a fairly thick layer of dust on the worktops and floor and of course I’ve googled it, and everywhere is saying it’s really bad to be exposed to paint dust especially in the first trimester because the chemicals in the paint can cause birth defects 😢 I’m so worried we’ve done permanent damage to my potential rainbow baby 😩 I’ve called 111 and I have to go and have a blood test tomorrow to check for lead poisoning as my house was built in the 70s, unlikely to have lead paint on the interior walls but testing as a precaution. Regardless of the lead issue, has anyone else ever been exposed to sanding/paint dust during early pregnancy and the baby has been fine? Going out of my mind as I’ve already lost a baby to birth defects. Thank you.

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Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
gamerchick · 28/11/2021 17:41

Isn't it just because of the lead thing though?

Redshoeblueshoe · 28/11/2021 17:45

It won't have had lead in it if it was built in the 70's

PotteringAlong · 28/11/2021 17:46

I honestly think this is a massive massive overreaction and, although I understand your past experience is making you worried, if you have rung 111 and want a blood test for lead poisoning based on a couple of hours sanding of a room you weren’t even in, this will be a very long 9 months.

I do think you need to see someone, but about the level of your anxiety and not about the exposure to dust. Flowers

SirVixofVixHall · 28/11/2021 17:49

A 1970s house shouldn’t have lead paint, my house on the other hand, is full of it (1820s ).

InTheLabyrinth · 28/11/2021 17:49

It is "just" the lead - which wint be present in a house the she of yours. Nothing else in domestic paint is known to potentially cause issues in pregnancy. I make paint, and there were no issues with making it during either of my pregnancies - there were issues with other chemicals we used, and I wasnt allowed in the lab when that testing was carried out.

Your house is new enough that the chances of lead paint being present are very slim. Newer paints dont carry the health hazard.

sjxoxo · 28/11/2021 17:51

Agree lead paint is generally earlier than the 1970s- I wouldn’t worry. I’m
pregnant too & I live opposite some allotment Gardens and there’s one bloke who uses weed killer (it’s banned) every bloody week- I can smell it when I step out of my front door! When I realised what it was I started wearing a mask when I go out the front if he’s been spraying and I reported him to the council. I’m 34 Weeks now & baby fine. I think aswell many people live in areas with high car emissions and that too is not ideal. Try not to worry as they are very resilient!! xo

AllSinging · 28/11/2021 18:08

You’ll be fine. We’re currently renovating the whole upstairs and I’ve been living in a dust fest my whole pregnancy (now 30 weeks). Relax. Go for a walk and get some fresh air if you are worried (that’s what I’ve done if it’s been particularly bad) but honestly, you’ll be fine

SantiagoSister · 28/11/2021 18:21

Thank you all so much for your comments, you’ve really helped to ease my mind somewhat. I understand the post sounds like an over-reaction, but the trauma from losing my baby in my third trimester last time around has given me all sorts of anxiety issues. Thanks for the heads up on the lead issue, I’m so pleased to hear that’s what the issue is with the paint dust, the lead side of things, and hopefully my house doesn’t have any in it due to its age.

OP posts:
Nowinapanic451 · 28/11/2021 18:45

@PotteringAlong

I honestly think this is a massive massive overreaction and, although I understand your past experience is making you worried, if you have rung 111 and want a blood test for lead poisoning based on a couple of hours sanding of a room you weren’t even in, this will be a very long 9 months.

I do think you need to see someone, but about the level of your anxiety and not about the exposure to dust. Flowers

People like you are so annoying. Just ignore that post, OP.
Onceuponatimethen · 28/11/2021 18:48

I’m sorry for your previous loss op. So many of us who have suffered losses feel anxious in pg. I know I always did Flowers

I’m sure your baby will be absolutely fine.

imasurvivor2 · 28/11/2021 18:49

I burnt off lead paint (the worst thing you can do!) when pregnant and my DC are fine Smilethere was lots of dust around too

Try not to worry! Thanks

SantiagoSister · 28/11/2021 20:58

@Nowinapanic451 @MissHavershamReturns @imasurvivor2 thank you for being so understanding, I really appreciate that. I do worry so much more now since my loss, we never found a reason as to why my baby had birth defects so I have always felt guilt wondering if it was something I did. I do feel more reassured from reading your comments though, thank you, I hope all will be ok for this little one🤞🏼

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