Just found out I'm pregnant, please don't judge...

[BabyGP]

Hi,

I've just found out I'm pregnant and due end of July. I immediately stopped smoking but the only room we have spare in the home for the baby is the room we used to smoke in - my OH smokes outside now he knows I'm pregnant. We smoked in it for five years and I'm preparing to repaint all walls, get new carpet and curtains, and wash all furniture but I'm very worried about the impact this will have on my baby. Does anyone have any tips to make this room good as new and is that possible? It's not just about the smell but also removing any traces of third hand smoke? I'd move but we own the house and we aren't in a position to sell right now.

Any help or advice would be really appreciated.

Sugar soap is good for removing nicotine stains and the greasy build up.

In the nicest possible way OP you're over-worrying. Your redecoration plans will be more than enough to clear any residual nicotine.

@Winterdaysarehere, thank you very much, I'd not heard of that before 👍

@MoaningMinniee, thank you that does actually make me feel better about things!

Well done for stopping smoking. And yes, redecorating will do the job.

The problem part is the carbon monoxide which you can air out pretty quickly. The residual smell is soot etc which is not nice but you could shampoo and carpets and wash any curtains or soft furnishings, then just thoroughly wash everything else in terms of surfaces and then air it out.
Also, when you talk about room for the baby, do you know the advice is to keep the baby in the same room as you for the first 6 months, although if you're partner doesn't want to give up they would have to be the one sleeping in the spare room.

Baby should be with you for 6m (though perhaps not if partner smoke)
Well done on quitting!

Thank you @JoJoSM2 and @Veterinari 😊

@Johnd2 thank you for all of your advice! I know about the 6 month guidance and I will be doing that, but I would like to get the baby room prepared before as I'm sure 6 months will fly by! I'm working on getting my partner to quit (or moving into another room!).

No worries @BabyGP yes you're right six months will absolutely fly past! Huge congratulations!

Yes. The redecorating will do the trick. Does your OH have any interest in quitting? Maybe now is a good time, a combined good opportunity and new year resolution. It would be an amazing step for your family if you could both quit long term.

Well done OP. It's amazing how easy it is to give up for your baby, even if you've never been able to do it for yourself, isn't it? It sounds like you are doing all the right things.

If you get rid of soft furnishings and carpets and give everything a good scrub with sugar soap plus keeping windows open as much as possible the room will be fine - you've got a while to go yet.

It would be great if you could persuade your partner to give up too. Aside from all the evidence re passive smoking, there are some very "interesting" statistics about the percentage of children of smokers who go on to become smokers themselves and surely that us something neither of you would chose for your child?

This is probably more for your peace of mind, but what about some air purifying plants? If you Google nasa air purifying plants you get a list that nasa use!