Many times when you’re pregnant, you are in the middle of improving your surroundings and will decide to paint. Perhaps you just found out what you’re having and you’re painting the baby’s room pink or blue accordingly.
It makes sense to wonder whether or not it is safe to paint when you’re pregnant, as anything out of the ordinary should make the list of questionable activities.
Most people know when there’s wet paint on the wall because paint has that distinctive smell to it. When you’re painting you’re subjected to the fumes that come with the job. If you don’t keep your work area well-ventilated you run the risk of being overcome by them.
So it is okay to paint the interior of your house while you’re pregnant?
Can I Paint While Pregnant? Answer: Not Recommended
It’s not recommended that you paint while pregnant. Although if you’re using latex or acrylic paints the danger is lessened, it’s still not a good idea. You’re breathing for two now and the air that you take in is serving many purposes in your body. By breathing in the fumes you are reducing your intake of clean oxygen, and disrupting the natural order of things.
Some people may say that it’s perfectly fine for you to paint while you’re pregnant, but it doesn’t make sense to subject yourself to an optional activity that has potentially serious consequences.
Right now nothing is more important than the safety of your baby, and all else has to come second. If you’re making home improvements, that’s fine, but you should have someone else do the actual painting. And you shouldn’t enter the room until the paint is dry and the entire area has been ventilated and aired out.
What if I wear a mask?
Wearing a mask while you paint is an option if you just can’t get around it. If you’re the only one that can paint the room, and the room absolutely must be painted in the nine months that you’re pregnant, then wearing a mask is one way to get the job done with minimal damage done. It’s hard to conceive of a scenario where there’s mandatory painting that needs to be done, but if that’s the situation you find yourself in you’ll have to make do.
Pregnancy Tips
It’s good that you are concerned enough about your baby to do research on whether or not painting is okay. The general rule of thumb is that you’re trying to be as natural as possible during this time, and not introducing any foreign substances. Since paint is a synthetic man-made product it’s important not to inhale the fumes or be around it in general.
On a microscopic level you when you inhale the paint fumes you are inhaling the paint and chemical molecules into your lungs. This can reduce your overall breathing capacity and play a part in your overall molecular make-up.
Fresh Air is Important
Get lots of clean, fresh air while you’re pregnant. Take walks outside and be sure to get outside multiple times a day. Many women spend a lot of their time cooped up indoors when they’re pregnant thinking that it’s safer to be indoors. It’s actually good for the body and for your baby to get outdoor air into the system. If you live in a big city, it might not be very clean air so use your best judgement as to whether it’s good to go outside for fresh air.
Oil Based Paints
Definitely get out of the area if there is oil based paint being used. You’ll know the difference because this is the kind that doesn’t wash off easily, you’ll have to use turpentine to get it off. Since you don’t want to be around turpentine either, it’s best to avoid the entire thing altogether. The chemicals used in oil-based paints are even more harsh than those in acrylic, so it’s best for you and baby to not be exposed to it in the slightest. You should also give these rooms more time to air out so that you can be sure the substances have had time to vacate.
Best to Wait
Although this is an exciting time for you and you may be tempted to have everything perfect for when your baby arrives, it’s best to hold off on these types of upgrades until your baby is safely out of you and is about three months old. Then you know that you’re out of the woods and you can start getting everything just the way you want it.
