Latex Paint; Pregnancy?

Question

Is it safe to paint using latex paint during pregnancy? I have a ceiling, closet, and a room to paint and i can't get my husband to do it and it needs done! He thinks my pregnancy is an excuse for everything.

Answer 1

So what is his excuse? You are going to be inhaling latex fumes and this (as anything else) can be harmful to your fetus. Tell him from me to get off his butt and do the painting.

Answer 2

I was told it was OK when I was pregnant the last time. We had two or three rooms to paint.
BUT. Even with wide-open windows and several fans running, the fumes made me really sick. So I couldn't help much anyway.
Plus, I don't know how far along you are, but you really don't need to be standing on ladders trying to paint a ceiling with a big belly. It's dangerous.
I'd say take a deep breath and let it wait until after the baby comes or show him all these answers and tell him to stop being a doo-doo-head. He can do it in a weekend. Oh! Or he could invite a couple buddies over to help, and they could have a little pizza- and beer-fueled testosterone fest afterward as a treat. (While you lounge somewhere with candles, quiet music and a good book. :))

Answer 3

Can you hire someone to do it for you instead?
or ask another relative to do it?

If you read the warnings on a can of latex paint, you will find that it contains some substance ( I forget which) that can cause damage to an unborn baby when the fumes are inhaled by a pregnant woman.

Some kind of crystal-something-or-other. I was going to help paint our nursery, until I read that warning on the can.

Also, make sure you use fans and open windows to air out the room thoroughly before you go on it.

Answer 4

My doc told me as long as latex paint never made you dizzy or sick before then it will do no harm while pregnant. I would not do all of it, take breaks and make sure you have a well ventilated room. Just to be on the safe side. Call your doc and get their opinion. I think your husband needs to step up here and be as man...

Answer 5

You should minimize exposure to latex paints that contain ethylene glycol ethers and biocides. Ideally, you should get someone else to do the job for you. (See link below for the entire article)

http://www.americanpregnancy.org/pregnancyhealth/paintexposure.html

If you want to find out if the paint you purchased contains these chemicals go to the paint manufacturer's website to view the Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS). If there is not a website for the brand, you should be able to obtain the MSDS sheets from the store that you purchased it from.

Answer 6

Whats his excuse then? Why not get your doctor to write a note explaining to your husband that paint fumes can be harmful to the baby and the exertion of actually painting should be avoided as well? Other than that, personally I would tell him to get of his lazy **** and help out!

Answer 7

Paint fumes are not healthy for you or your unborn child, no matter what kind of paint you are using. Your husband needs to give up TV for a day or a night & paint. Make sure you open up a window to let the fumes out. Too bad your husband is not very understanding. If he won't do it, then find someone to do it for you & pay them. It'll be worth it.

Answer 8

Yes, but do it in small amounts, maybe over a weekend. And make sure you have windows open and lots of ventilation. If you feel like you're breathing it in too much, stop and take a break. Also, be careful if you have to stand on ladders, your husband really needs to do that part.

Answer 9

YOU STAY AWAY from paint and ladders and all that icky stuff.

Tell your husband that you will go spend the weekend in a spa and he can paint the room...that way he has no excuse...

OR

Go find the foxiest handy man you can find and hire him to do it.

Maybe that will wake you husband up.

Answer 10

Everyone I have talked to has told me to avoid painting at all costs while I'm pregnant. Tell your husband to research what your going through. Maybe then he'll take your feelings into consideration.