Artex on kitchen walls

[Snowy27]

HI
Just wondering if anyone has any advice about our 'lovely' kitchen walls- I think they've been artexed in a particularly attractive 'drippy' pattern, then painted dark blue.
The paint is now peeling off in huge sheets, and the stuff underneath is white and very powdery. I'd love to get it plastered over but I'm wondering how much prep work we'd need to do? I assume try and buff off the peeling paint and accumulated grime? Do we try and strip the Artex or just sugar soap and leave to the professionals?

I'm pregnant at the moment and on 'light duties' so DH will be doing it (and we'd like to get the new kitchen in before the new baby arrives!)

Any experience or advice?

I would do whatever it takes to get rid of it from a kitchen. It cannot possibly be hygienic.

My understanding that removing artex and replastering is a job for the professionals.

Think you have to be careful as some artex can contain asbestos so need to check before removing.