Pregnancy and painting.?

Question

Hiya.
My friend is 7 months pregnant with her first child. She is 18 and has had a turbulent pregnacy. She's been bleeding constantly for the last 7 months. The midwife has told her that the baby will be premature.
She has recently moved in a flat and wants to decorate it. In my opinion I don't think this will be a good idea because her womb is already weak and by stretching up to paint, this may cause her womb to rupture or something along those lines. Myself and another friend are now painting her frontroom and bathroom (whilst she is away on holiday) as a present. How can I explain the dangers of decorating whilst heavly pregnant. (If indead there are any.)
I would greatly appreciate any help on this matter. Serious answers only please.
Information websites may also be helpful if possible.
Thankyou in advance.

Answer 1

Painting, during a normal pregnancy, is safe, as long as there is proper ventilation and you are not standing on any chairs/stools.
However, in your friend's case, she needs to take extreme caution. IMO, she should be on bedrest by now. Since she is probably seeing the midwife quite frequently, she should discuss this with her before doing anything. I guarantee the midwife will tell her no, but she may take it more seriously than she would if you or I were telling her not to do so.
She will have time to decorate after the baby is born. To encourage her to wait, offer to watch the baby after he/she is born, so she may decorate if she wants to do it, instead of letting someone else do it.

To the "nurse" up there: Midwives are highly trained. Most have MBAs. I had one during my pregnancy and delivery. They are highly medically trained, and can write prescriptions, so they are not just nurses.

Answer 2

For those answering that don't know.......

Midwives are generally licensed and are trained. They have been to medical school as well. If they need testing done, they refer the patients to doctors if needed.

Depending on the paint, the fumes could be harmful to her and or the baby. If she has had some bleeding the whole time, the midwife should have put her on either bed rest or minimal activity. And painting is much more than minimal with all the stretching regardless of using a roller and a long handle. And if she even suggests using a ladder.......

Tell her she can sit and supervise your painting if she wants.

Answer 3

As you say, all the stretching won't be good for her, & what is she fell off the ladder?

Anyone who paints should be doing so in a well aired environment because of the toxic fumes.

Your friend should be grateful for getting this far & take things easy as well as for having great friends like you who are thinking about her safety & that of her unborn child.

I don't think that you are likely to find any websites to back this up though.

Pass on my best wishes to your friend & wish her luck with the birth & give your selves a pat on the back for being thoughtful. If only there were more people like you out there..... :-)

Answer 4

In the last trimester (as well as the first 2 but not as seriously) you should not engage in any activity that your body is not accustomed to. The fact that she has had a high risk pregnancy all along is the biggest reason she should be resting these last weeks.
I should think if she wants to deliver a healthy baby this shouldn't be to hard to convince her of.
Is her midwife certified? Will she deliver in a hospital? With her previous issues she needs a skilled OBGYN Doctor not a nurse to ensure a safe delivery.

Answer 5

Go get a book called " what to expect when you are expecting" by Heidi Murkoff. It's the pregnancy bible and will help with all these questions. Your question as well as many others that you would not expect is in there. It's excellent in describing all of these little things that worry moms and help distinguish when something is "normal" or not.
Good Luck!

Answer 6

Well for her to stretch and paint is not good. Stretching to much could cause the cord to wrap around the babys neck. And the fumes from the paint are not good either if she is already having problems.

Answer 7

not only is the moving around bad for her the fumes from the paint can be bad too ( it all depends on the type of paint). Tell her to be carefull and talk to her midwife.

Answer 8

your pregnant friend should NOT paint due to the fumes they are not good for the baby and can cause her to miscarry..unless you use a special paint for moms and tots..if she is having troubles with bleeding she shouldnt be doing very much of anything really..shes lucky to have a friend like you to do it for her

Answer 9

tell your friend dont mess around with a mid-wife, get to a doctor, a real doctor. that baby could be at risk right now

Answer 10

unless her doctor told her to limit her movement than that isnt the issue. but the fumes are not good for her or the baby.