[adoremybabe]

and I am torn about it's safety at this point.

I am nearly done. But in all DH and I have been painting on and off since Sunday night. It truely had to be done before Friday, otherwise we would have waited. And It's not exactly open your window weather. However, the smell did get strong enough tonight that I decided to open up a window.

I didn't get lightheaded or sick to my stomach at all. How much could I be damaging my baby? I know, some of you might think that I am the stupidest person out there but I had a fleeting moment that made me think that it would be okay...

 

[adoremybabe]

No one wants to tell me that I made a grave mistake...

 

[BeagleMommy]

Well, I haven't done much research on the subject, but I wouldn't have done it. Both because it may not be a good idea and because painting is WAY more physical work than I'm up to right now. Maybe I just remember the aches and soreness from painting dd's room in August.
That being said, it's certainly not like doing heroine, so I wouldn't worry. But the next painting project, I'd get all the help I could and stay nearby to offer non-painting assistance and/or buy the expensive supposedly safe paint.

 

[spiritedmama]

If it makes you feel better, I painted my entire house while pregnant with DD2. I mean walls, ceilings, exterior. She turned out o.k. I agree with BeagleMommy, there are definitely worse things you could have done than paint a little.

 

[Tristan]

I'm DDC crashing. I read several places that you can paint as long as you are in a well ventilated area. Just my 2 cents.

 

[Spring Sun]

Yeah, I would make sure the windows are open or wait until the weather is nicer.

 

[stardust swallower]

Don't worry. What's done is done. I painted a ton when I was about 6 mos pregnant with ds. Not special paint either. Regular old paint. In January when it wasn't exactly open window time either. As far as I can tell he's totally fine. Probably best to open the window and stay out that room for several days now...

 

[Talula Fairie]

Eh, as long as your house is well ventilated you're fine.

 

[Jilian]

Well its done so there isn't much anyone can say to change anything. No sense making you feel like you made a mistake. I wouldn't recommend doing it again though and open the windows until the paint dries and the smell goes away.

 

[adoremybabe]

Yes, what's done is done. I am glad that it is done. However, next time I will take different actions.

Thank you.

 

[puddleduck]

You can get really nice paint with none of the nasty chemicals in it, our house needs painting before august and we plan to use clay paint and other natural paints, you can buy them all online and they go on really well. No smell at all.

 

[Scarlet_Redhead]

I did the same thing 2 weeks ago. We even tore up the old linoleum kitchen floor.

Then I read that I really should have not been around when that happened. Well I can't change the past...so when you know better, you do better. We are getting our hard wood floors redone in a few weeks so I am planning a vacation so I can be out of the house.

Painting while pregos is OK if the paint has low or no VOC's. That is the harsh chemicals that give paint its smell.

I went though the same 'ohmygodhaveihurtmybaby?!?!?' thought process too. Millions of women have painted while being preggos. It will all be just fine!

 

[dislocator3972]

From what I understand (from my anti-drug talks in middle/high school) the problems with paint come from not getting enough oxygen to your brain (which is what causes the high feeling) but no one ever, EVER mentioned any other effects (not even during my training as a paint specialist) on your body.

So, this is just a guess, but maybe the risk associated with paint and pregnancy is just the risk that you'll inhale enough of the fumes to interfere with your oxygen levels. If you never felt light-headed or dizzy, your oxygen levels were fine.

Don't artists paint throughout their pregnancies?

If you're aware of your body and didn't feel anything odd, you're almost certainly fine.

Enjoy the fresh change!

 

[anabellee]

I did a lot of painting with ds1 and he came out just fine. ds2 I tried to be more careful and he's SN. I wouldn't worry