XP from GP: painting while pregnant?

[pooh8402]

Would you do it? Using latex, zero or low VOC paint.

I ask because after last summer when I painted 5 rooms in my house and DH attempted to do touch-ups, I no longer trust him to paint the house. And I think the price to hire people to paint the walls, no trim, is ridiculous.

[Brie]

I did it both times. My babies came out with just one head. Just open a window and it's fine.

[Deleted]

Did it twice. I didn't even use low VOC paint the first time. Everyone seems ok.

[lulu21]

I did. I wore a mask just to be safe.

[pooh8402]

Never thought I'd be anxious about something but I guess I found it :-)

[tealblue]

I did most of my house pregnant. I used a low voc (my normal paint brand) and ventilated. I had to take more breaks when I was super pregnant and had to paint a lot but other than that, no big deal. I think DS is pretty normal.

[badtzmaru22]

I did with DD. I think most paint now isn't as much of a concern as it used to be.

[mainelyfoolish]

There was something about being about seven months pregnant that made me decide I absolutely needed to paint the trim in the kid's room...both times I was pregnant.

Keep the room ventilated, take breaks, don't fall off a ladder. Also, wear clothes you don't care about so when you misjudge the size of your body and back up into freshly painted wall and/or trim, it's not a big loss.

[sjh722]

I did. We were moving and remodeling.

It did really start to smell - we were doing 2000 sq ft at once. I ended up staying an extra day at my parents over thanksgiving while H finished up. One room should be nbd.

[ssmjlm]

My doc said it was fine. She said just make sure we had ventilation and to be careful with ladders. She said falls were probably more dangerous than latex fumes.

I did have my mom prime the trim in the nursery since it was oil based.

[mpc]

I did a lot of painting. Go for it.

[anna7602]

pooh8402, I'm not sure I knew you were pregnant. Congratulations!

Also, when I read your subject line, I thought you were referring to Brie's wine & ugly painting activity. Don't get drunk and paint while pregnant!

[browneyedgirl9]

I painted the nursery with my husband. I had no issues.

[nessness]

I did. My H/mom did the parts near the ceiling so I didn't have to stand on a ladder.

[speckledfrog]

MH and I did it together. We used regular paint and just opened a window. Take breaks as you think you need them.

FWIW, I did all of the painting along the ceiling, which did involve standing on a ladder. I felt I was stable enough and it was far more comfortable than doing the wall near the baseboards or the roller work along the main portions of the wall. Plus MH can't cut in to save his life.

[jinxy]

I painted while pregnant. I used low voc paint. I was about 7 months pregnant so I just made sure to take breaks when I needed them.

[AlpineSlide]

I painted the nursery and wore a mask. No idea if it was low voc. I was 8 months along and had to take a lot of breaks. I also only used the first step on the ladder, dh did the higher stuff.

[motzie]

I did a ton of painting with both pregnancies. Low voc and I wore a mask and ran a fan or opened a window. I tried to avoid priming because it's so stinky, but regular paint, all the time.

[felicity]

I did. I wore a respirator that said it worked specifically for paint fumes to be on the safe side, though.

[holly116]

I painted a lot my first pregnancy. And then again my third.

If you're looking for a great paint, I love sherwin williams Emerald line. There is zero smell at all and depending on what you're painting over, you can sometimes get away with a single coat. It's on sale, ending today, for 30% off so I thought I'd mention it.

[thecatinthehat]

I painted the nursery when I was pregnant with DS. I think I was about 20 wks or so. I barely made DH help because he is so awful at it. I used a regular latex primer and no VOC paint. Just open windows and doors.

[shell24]

I painted during all 3 of my pregnancies. So far, all mostly normal

[pooh8402]

Jan 31, 2015 15:21:47 GMT -5 holly116 said:

I painted a lot my first pregnancy. And then again my third.

If you're looking for a great paint, I love sherwin williams Emerald line. There is zero smell at all and depending on what you're painting over, you can sometimes get away with a single coat. It's on sale, ending today, for 30% off so I thought I'd mention it.

I love that line too and is exactly what I was planning on using. I painted my house with it last year.

I haven't picked a color yet and I'm at work anyway, but I have an account with them so I'll just watch for the next sale. Thanks!

[isabel]

We just painted the baby's room a few weeks ago. We opened the window, but otherwise didn't do anything special. It was low VOC paint and didn't smell strong. It didn't bother me.

[jorja]

Yes. I helped paint the nursery. I have no idea if we used special paint, so I'm assuming not.

[cjeanette]

I used pregnancy as an excuse to do as little actual painting as possible but I was around the fumes with windows open.

Maybe that is why E is so "spirited" she is permanantly high from the paint fumes.

[heygrey]

Jan 31, 2015 16:30:45 GMT -5 pooh8402 said:

Jan 31, 2015 15:21:47 GMT -5 holly116 said:

I painted a lot my first pregnancy. And then again my third.

If you're looking for a great paint, I love sherwin williams Emerald line. There is zero smell at all and depending on what you're painting over, you can sometimes get away with a single coat. It's on sale, ending today, for 30% off so I thought I'd mention it.

I love that line too and is exactly what I was planning on using. I painted my house with it last year.

I haven't picked a color yet and I'm at work anyway, but I have an account with them so I'll just watch for the next sale. Thanks!

it's probably too late to buy it now, but most places let you buy what you need in base white when it's on sale and come back for colour tinting at a later date.