Joined: Sep 23, 2010 Messages: 1,055 Likes Received: 0. Direct Contact. I traveled by air on a 7 hour trip and noticed that there was a strong smell of paint without... View answer. Because I heard if you inhale paint while pregnant there’s a chance of the baby having down syndrome? So I bought those little white masks you put on, and I helped him out. Children should also avoid paint fumes as well as their bodies are still developing and the paint fumes can be very detrimental to their health. Pregnancy can bring about a lot of changes in a woman’s body. It’s like the pregnancy super power that no one wants! It’s an assault on your nostrils. I don’t know what is the technology of pain today and it is pretty possible that some type of it is made of natural components, but if we talk about the usual paint then it can harm your health. If you’re unsure about using paint that you might already have in the house, call the paint manufacturer to find out whether or not their paint is safe to use while pregnant. If you are pregnant, you know what we are talking about. Well, maybe if you’re a queen who lies in a bed of roses all day long. And you must have noticed certain changes in your body like weight gain, breast tenderness, shiny hair and skin, etc. Yes, water. 53 years experience Obstetrics and Gynecology. If possible, you should avoid using solvent-based paints while pregnant, to help minimize any risk of the fumes or substances affecting your baby. While widely available, paint thinners produce vapors that are dangerous when inhaled. Okay well im now 23 weeks pregnant. Here's what to know. Signs Of Paint Thinner Abuse. You’ll definitely want to avoid heavy-duty stripping and sanding, but if you just want to refresh a yard sale find or a hand-me-down piece of furniture, turn to your favorite brand of chalk paint. Of course, the internet is terrifying and all awful searches lead to a meth lab. I had a MC In sept and have been trying to avoid everything that could be harmful. Oil-based paint isn’t a good choice when painting while pregnant, because it contains harsh solvents, Valle says. New research raises concerns about potential health risks from common paint chemicals, especially for pregnant women. Paint fumes are very harmful to the baby if you breathe them in while pregnant; doing this can cause miscarriage and other birth defects. While it is not always possible, the best way to avoid heavy fumes is to select a low or zero VOC (volatile organic compounds) paint formula. Dr. John Berryman answered. Splashing paint in or around your eyes can cause severe irritation to the eye 2. Painting during pregnancy is not recommended, because the exact effects of the paint fumes are not well-understood by doctors and scientists. Different types of paint pose different risks to pregnant women. The smell is very strong, and while searching the garage for the source of the odor I developed a headache. Does an exposure to paint increase the chance for miscarriage? However, the odor of fresh paint can be irritating and unpleasant. I came back from work and it is clear that the smell is still here, but now I can more relaxed say that it's more like house paint, acetone (nail polish) or paint thinner. paint smell while pregnant. I know spray paint fumes are not good in pregnancy, but I walked past someone at work who was using a can - I was unaware of this until I saw him and could smell the fumes. Although when I was pregnant with my now 2 year old son: I surfed and read these disc.boards to my hearts content and took notice of the helpful advice, excitement, and encouragement shared between the members. Water-based paints can be thinned or cleaned up with water. LEW32 Well-Known Member. ? It still smells like paint a bit. Discussion in 'Pregnancy - First Trimester' started by LEW32, Nov 19, 2010. The paint smell is not really dangerous for brief exposures. Suffice it to say most, if not all, are petroleum products. Most bosses will help accomodate pregnant … Avoid It If You Can. Well obviously my boyfriend is the one who had to paint it, and he did it for the money, but the house is HUGE. Pregnant women can even use paint now. Later that night I took a test (frer) and it was positive. The other day I left the garage door open all night (may or may not be related), and the same day we started smelling a very strong odor coming from the garage. Latex paint is water based, which means the main ingredient is water. Among painters, one study showed an increased chance for miscarriage, but other studies have not shown this. Both latex and oil-based paints should be used in properly ventilated spaces to avoid complications. The other main category of paint is oil-based, which means the main ingredient is some kind of organic solvent 2. They don’t contain harmful chemicals like solvents. What is in Paint & Why Does it Smell. Paint thinners are usually combustible, rather than flammable. We left all the doors open and that took care of the smell --- for a while. This is why the paint fumes from painting stay in your home for quite a while after the initial first painting of your home. In any case, I'm 6 months pregnant and it sure doesn't seem like it's a safe and normal scent. Having a heightened sense of smell is a common early sign of pregnancy. Paint has changed a lot from what it used to be. It’s already dry and everything’s moved back into my room! Ideally, you should get someone else to do the job for you. And if you have doubts, don’t use it. This past weekend my boyfriend and I, went to an aunts house to paint the entire house. Ok, I’m 9 weeks pregnant and my brother painted my room yesterday. Paint is made by combining chemicals such as solvents, binders, additives and pigments. To protect yourself while still enjoying all of the health benefits of fish, limit your total fish consumption to 12 ounces a week and opt for fish with lower mercury levels. Don't refinish furniture, banisters or cupboards while pregnant. Worried MD. Smell cravings can be down to a few different things which you’ll learn more about below, but one culprit is those pesky hormones. I would like to know what made my breath smell like paint.I am 63 years old. There would be a concern if the babies were exposed daily for a long period. A 35-year-old female asked: i had to work for 3,5 hours in a small building that smelled of recent painting and still was a little dusty. *gag* Estrogen heightens your olfactory system when you’re pregnant, which causes you to be sensitive to every single smell—even wafts of water. Paint Thinner Fumes! Since Wednesday there has been this godawful scent of nail polish remover/paint thinner/acetone in my apartment. Ugh, roses. Hi All, Well, I am really upset and just wanted to vent and get some advice. Pregnant & Paint Thinner? What will happen? We all know that most paints have strong smells, that even just opening a can of paint will already give anyone a … The sense of smell can be intensely heightened during pregnancy. While it is quite safe for them to do some careful lifting, painting the room while pregnant, whether in the 1st, 2nd, or 3rd trimester, may not be safe with the fumes and chemicals involved. Doctors give trusted, helpful answers on causes, diagnosis, symptoms, treatment, and more: Dr. Newman on smelling paint while pregnant: Unnecessary chemicals. You should minimize exposure to latex paints that contain ethylene glycol ethers and biocides. Nature?! Much like painting walls, there is a safe way to refinish furniture when pregnant! It does not come from any particular place; though it is for sure stronger in the basement. It is safe for pregnant women to be around as long as you have some ventilation. Please let me know. Should I sleep in the room or sleep somewhere else? : Hello Everyone! He was at least six metres away from me in a very large shed with doors wide open so plenty of ventilation. The chemicals used in paint and paint thinner are extremely noxious. My mom is 8 1/2 months pregnant and she accidentally smelled the paint thinner that was spilled on the floor. Paint fumes ? I am 4 weeks on Thursday. Your body must be going through a lot of hormonal changes during this time. If it starts to nauseate you then ask to either go home or if you can be relocated for the day. I would like to paint a room during my pregnancy, can this increase the chance of birth defects or other pregnancy problems? It has a solvent-like quality, similar to paint thinner, lacquer, or nail polish. Would not paint your body while you are pregnant. Though oil-based paints tend to be used outside, their fumes have been known to leach into buildings and make people sick. Latex paints produce less fumes and so are recommended for indoor use. Miscarriage can occur in any pregnancy. This type of paint gives off vapors, called volatile organic compounds (VOCs), that can cause headaches, eye irritation, nausea, dizziness and fatigue. When it comes to paint there are many different compounds that are used to form the paint. It seems to generate from the bathroom, possibly the drains or toilet, I'm not sure. This super power can result in both craving of smells as well as aversion to them. I am pregnant with my second child and this will be my first time posting. According to Baby Center, latex or acrylic paints aren’t made using solvents, and for this reason, they are generally considered safe if the area is ventilated thoroughly. Paint thinner is for diluted and oil-based paints. Answered by : Dr. Purva Patel ( General & Family Physician) Pregnant exposed to paint thinners. If you must use an oil-based paint or primer, choose those that are marked as "low odor". Having super sonic senses sounds like a great super power to have while pregnant. A large number of people who experiment with inhalants die the first time they try it. It's best to limit your exposure to paint and paint fumes while you're pregnant.Most paint contains solvents (petroleum-based chemicals) that can cause health . I am 5 months pregnant and am worried as I could smell the paint as I walked through the area he was working in. It never hurts to ask. I've then researched paint and paint thinner in early pregnancy and now im so scared. If you are pregnant do not paint anything for any reason. Many expectant mothers forget about the noxious properties of paint when they begin decorating a nursery or baby's room. Paint thinner can give headaches even if you're not pregnant, but you could also just have a headache for another reason. Home Forums Pregnancy Forums Pregnancy - First Trimester. There are also paints made from plants, milk, minerals, or clay that are less toxic to the environment. I mean it's probably not that BEST thing to be breathing in while pregnant but I think you'll be okay. Smell is not a good measure of the level of exposure. I wasn't aware of the potential problems painting could bring if I was pregnant. Pregnant women should not take part in painting projects around the house, and they should never be responsible for using paint thinner to remove paint from brushes and rollers. These paints clean up easily with soap and warm water. Avoid painting, and only use water-based paints that can be cleaned off with running water, not paint thinner. It is critical parents look for signs and symptoms of paint thinner abuse. 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