Has anyone painted a room in a house while pregnant.?

Question

I am 15 weeks pregnant and my husband and I are painting the apartment. We used paint primer to cover up the old color. Then my sister read the warning label and it said may cause birth defects. Is this more important if it is in the first trimester? Has anyone painted a room and is your child fine? I am nervous and wont have an ultrasound done until two weeks from now.

Answer 1

I am now 31 weeks pregnant and did some painting a few weeks ago and also worried myself sick about it. I consulted with my doctor and a doctor friend AND two nurses -- all said it shouldn't be a problem.

Basically, they said there is no specific evidence that paint fumes are dangerous during pregnancy. However, they recommended that families use common sense in answer to this. Do not expose yourself to anything you think might be dangerous in the first trimester while the fetal organs are forming, and be sure that you work in a well ventilated area when you are painting. I was also told to limit my contact with the paint, so I wore latex gloves.

I also found some other information that might help:

From M. Paul's "Occupational and Environmental Reproductive Hazards": "Many of the hazardous ingredients found in industrial and art paints have been removed from products intended for household use." Methods of preparation and application differ which may also impact the hazards. Spraying may be more hazardous than brushing.

"No studies have specifically assessed reproductive or developmental health risks associated with painting during home renovation. Inferences must be made from the data on specific constituents of the paints". If the paint was manufactured after 1990, it no longer contains inorganic mercury which is a reproductive hazardous substance.

While organic solvents can be found in all paints, their concentration is considerably less in latex products than in oil based formulations. Daily exposure to such solvents (occupational) has been known to cause an increased risk of miscarriage and sperm defects in male exposure.

Working with the paints and refinishing products is obviously more problematic than being exposed to fumes in a well ventilated area. "Exposure to paints containing ethylene glycol, ethers, mercury or formaldehyde releasing biocides should be avoided."

Another text: "Maternal Fetal Toxicology" by Koren states, "It is unlikely that such a brief low dose exposure will cause any of the conditions that may be associated with occupational exposure throughout pregnancy. Water based paints or latex paints pose no increased reproductive risk because they have low volatility.

Although, I haven't had my baby yet, every test and ultrasound has come back normal. All signs indicate the baby is healthy and doing well.

Answer 2

Painting While Pregnant

Answer 3

I painted the nursery and our dining room while pregnant with my daughter who is now 2 1/2 and my daughter's new room while I was pregnant with my son who is now 9 months. Both children are very healthy, strong and intelligent. My OB said to use latex paint and good ventilation and there would be no problem. The person who said that their aunt had a miscarriage after painting - the paint most likely did not cause the miscarriage. I had a miscarriage before my two children were born and I had not been around paint fumes with that pregnancy.

Answer 4

Many people will say this is NOT safe, however - I have read a lot about it and I feel there is no problem as long as the windows are open. And you arent doing the painting yourself. Ive heard some ladies say they pass out from the fumes. It just never seemed strong enough to me I guess, but everyone is different. Go with your gut on this one and do what you feel is best for the little one. I personally painted my babys nursery a couple of months ago. With a fan going, and windows open, there were no problems. Friends wanted to know why didnt I just let hubby do it... but IM the decor lady of the house! And "IM" the better painter! I love projects, but I as well listen to my body. When I got tired, I just sat down for a bit. Knowing that you arent even going to be in the room while the job is getting done, I dont see what the problem would be. HAVE FUN DECORATING! xoxo, HAPPILY EXPECTING MY BABY BOY!!!

Answer 5

Painting During Pregnancy

Answer 6

This Site Might Help You.

RE:
Has anyone painted a room in a house while pregnant.?
I am 15 weeks pregnant and my husband and I are painting the apartment. We used paint primer to cover up the old color. Then my sister read the warning label and it said may cause birth defects. Is this more important if it is in the first trimester? Has anyone painted a room and is your child...

Answer 7

Sadly, I never bothered to read the labels on the paint cans. I've painted atleast 5 rooms since I've become pregnant. I guess I was about 1 month when I started, and now I am 7 months, my baby is said to be healthy.

Answer 8

Baby hysteria - It seems like everything a mother does these days (even though pregnant women years ago did them and there were no problems) people freak and think it can affect the baby. If you take a Tylenol because you have such a bad headache that you cannot see, there is a 1 in 1,000,000,000 chance of it having a lasting affect on the baby. If you use a copy machine, the chances of it affecting the baby are equal to your chances of getting struck by lightning. I know a woman who painted while pregnant, and her baby was fine.

Answer 9

I haven't been pregnant, but I know that the paint fumes can hurt the baby. I would think that if you absolutely have to be around a painted room, make sure you step out every so often and have plenty of ventilation.

Answer 10

I, personally never having been pregnant, have not. However, I do know people who have painted nurserys while pregnant. Now they have a perfectly healthy, beautiful 13 1/2 week old baby girl