[momma_unlimited]

It is water-based latex... for my bedroom and bathroom.

 

[Raene]

I think its a bad idea, but I'm paranoid. Maybe it would be okay. Make sure if you do it you open all the windows and turn on the fans when you're not up high.

 

[mom-to-jj]

I would not do it in the first trimester, even in a well-ventilated area. I am just nervous about those crucial early weeks when the baby is still forming. I did paint my living room when I was pg with DS, but I was 5 or 6 months along at the time, and we opened all the doors and had fans going.

 

[Tashakittie]

Generally I wouldn't either. However, in a baby magazine I found an advert for "Mythic Paint" company. they have a website, and according to them, it is entirely safe to use when pregnant because it has zero VOC's. I plan on using it very soon because I have an entire house to paint!

 

[acupuncturemomma]

I would do it (and did when pg with DD) only if using a low-VOC paint. There are many of them on the market. I think one of the best (quality-wise) is Pure Performance from Pittsburgh Paints.

 

[cristeen]

Only if it's low or no-VOC paint. Regular conventional paint is not safe, IMO.

If the painting really needs to be done, open the windows, set up a fan, hand your DP the paintbrush and go have an afternoon at the movies.

 

[xelakann]

I painted with this pg and my last with zero-VOC paint. With this pg it was in the first trimester (5 weeks). It did concern me a little bit, but we had just finished a basement remodel and HAD to paint before the carpet was installed. I just found out I was pg and didn't have time to hire a painter. Since we already have a kid zero-VOC paint was a must anyway.

 

[momma_unlimited]

Quote:

If the painting really needs to be done, open the windows, set up a fan, hand your DP the paintbrush and go have an afternoon at the movies.

Unfortunately my dh is not the attention to detail type. I guess I'll have to wait a month or two til I'm not in the first trimester and the weather is nicer...

My bathroom and bedroom are so depressing to me, I almost wonder if they are a worse health threat!!! Maybe I will just get a gas mask and do it.

 

[Jilian]

I wouldn't do it any time during pregnancy. It just feels too risky to me. If I were you I'd have DH do it and if touch-ups were needed I'd wait until after the baby is born or ask someone else to help. They have made very loose links to congenital heart defects and chemical exposure in the first trimester.

 

[cristeen]

Quote:

Originally Posted by momma_unlimited Unfortunately my dh is not the attention to detail type. I guess I'll have to wait a month or two til I'm not in the first trimester and the weather is nicer...

It's not first trimester, it's the entire pregnancy.

I'd probably take the paint back and get a safer brand.

Because regular paint even after it's on the wall will continue to put chemical fumes into the air for at least a couple days while it drys and cures. That's not something you should be breathing in at any point during pregnancy. Remember that anything you breathe, baby breathes - and a lot of those chemicals are very nasty.

 

[layla983]

I think it depends on what you feel safe with. Personally, I've painted both times I've been pregnant. I just made sure I wasn't shut in with any fumes. Painted the entire house last pregnancy (we'd just bought it, it was just primer on the walls everywhere). This time around I got pregnant the same time we were painting our dining room. Last month we painted our kitchen & bathroom, also going to paint the new babys bedroom this week. I obviously feel safe doing it, my midwife isn't concerned either.

 

[mamarootoo]

Benjamin Moore just came out with zero-VOC paint... I think it's called Natura. we used it for our playroom, and it didn't smell at all! i get migraines from any strong smells, and i didn't get one after painting the entire room

it's expensive ($50/gallon) but it covers really well with one coat

 

[AustGirl]

I'm 34 weeks and just painted a couple of rooms in our house with regular paint. I doubt it's 100% safe, but I'm okay with it as long as the house was as well ventilated as possible.

 

[Ola_]

Quote:

Originally Posted by mamarootoo Benjamin Moore just came out with zero-VOC paint... I think it's called Natura. we used it for our playroom, and it didn't smell at all! i get migraines from any strong smells, and i didn't get one after painting the entire room it's expensive ($50/gallon) but it covers really well with one coat

It's called Aura and it's excellent as far as paint goes! We used it for our kitchen/dining room and it was great to paint with. I didn't find it smelled either (though I'm not pg).

 

[kcparker]

There's also this wonderful Milk Paint. From their website:

Our organic paint is safe not only for people, but also for the environment. The ingredients in the base paint are used in the food and pharmaceutical industries, and are all completely biodegradable.

SAFE FOR PEOPLE
Our Milk Paint is totally free of:

} VOC's*, HAP's**, solvents or harmful poisons of any kind.
} Lead
} Mercury
} Radioactive materials
} Petroleum by-products
} Plastics
} Synthetic preservatives
} Any strong odor (just a slight milky smell on application).

Our Milk Paint is completely safe for:
} Anyone who has Multiple Chemical Sensitivities.

} Pregnant women.
} Use on children's furniture and toys.
} Use on hospital and nursery walls.

Our Milk Paint will not support combustion in case of a fire.

 

[kriket]

I'm 35 weeks and DH won't let me paint. I spray painted the outlet covers, but there are 3 of them and I was outside. Thats as much painting as I was allowed.