Renovations while pregnant--do in third trimester or wait until after delivery

[Anonymous]

DH and I would like to do a renovation to the home. We were thinking third trimester might be a good time, or alternatively at some point during the baby's first year. Not sure which would be worse. On the one hand, I don't want to be exposed to dust and construction nasties while pregnant. On the other hand, a renovation (this one would probably last 6 weeks) could be disruptive to a newborn or baby's napping/feeding schedule and they could be bothered by the dust and noise. Not sure what to do. The nice thing about doing it after delivery would be that I would be on maternity leave and could supervise the reno. Otherwise, both of us will be at work full-time and won't be there at all to supervise, and I would prefer to supervise at least some of it.

[Anonymous]

By construction nasties I mean glues, paints, chemicals, sanding, insulation, etc.

[Anonymous]

Hee hee. You have no idea what you're in for. No one ever does. We all have plans for maternity leave and you find out that getting your hair washed is a major accomplishment. If you really want the renovations done, do them now. And add extram time to whatever estimate they give you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Hee hee. You have no idea what you're in for. No one ever does. We all have plans for maternity leave and you find out that getting your hair washed is a major accomplishment. If you really want the renovations done, do them now. And add extram time to whatever estimate they give you.

+1 on this.

[Anonymous]

Do it now, or get ready to wait several years. The last thing your going to want to do with an infant is renovate.

I'm living through a renovation now with a 13mon old and am 14 weeks pregnant - total nightmare. Learn from my mistake!

[Anonymous]

If you feel the need to do this, get corporate housing and do it now. Double the amount of time they say it will take.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Do it now, or get ready to wait several years. The last thing your going to want to do with an infant is renovate.

I'm living through a renovation now with a 13mon old and am 14 weeks pregnant - total nightmare. Learn from my mistake!

What are you renovating? Is the dust/chemicals/glues/paints an issue re: being pregnant?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Hee hee. You have no idea what you're in for. No one ever does. We all have plans for maternity leave and you find out that getting your hair washed is a major accomplishment. If you really want the renovations done, do them now. And add extram time to whatever estimate they give you.

+1 on this.

+ 2

[Anonymous]

do it now NOT while on ML. Particularly if this is your first.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Do it now, or get ready to wait several years. The last thing your going to want to do with an infant is renovate.

I'm living through a renovation now with a 13mon old and am 14 weeks pregnant - total nightmare. Learn from my mistake!

What are you renovating? Is the dust/chemicals/glues/paints an issue re: being pregnant?

We bought a new (to us) house (built in 1960), so we have had all of the flooring ripped out and replaced (new hardwoods, carpet & tile). Painted EVERY single room including closets, trim & ceilings (we are using VOC free / Eco friendly paint, Benjamin Moore - be warned its not cheap) & are currently gutting the kitchen. Once I finish the kitchen baths are next.

The only issues I've had is keeping my very active toddler out of the areas we are working on & being exhausted from a. chasing a toddler b. being pregnant. My DS is a great sleeper (STTN since 12 weeks) but no way I could have done any of this during maternity leave, unless your taking 6months.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Do it now, or get ready to wait several years. The last thing your going to want to do with an infant is renovate.

I'm living through a renovation now with a 13mon old and am 14 weeks pregnant - total nightmare. Learn from my mistake!

What are you renovating? Is the dust/chemicals/glues/paints an issue re: being pregnant?

We bought a new (to us) house (built in 1960), so we have had all of the flooring ripped out and replaced (new hardwoods, carpet & tile). Painted EVERY single room including closets, trim & ceilings (we are using VOC free / Eco friendly paint, Benjamin Moore - be warned its not cheap) & are currently gutting the kitchen. Once I finish the kitchen baths are next.

The only issues I've had is keeping my very active toddler out of the areas we are working on & being exhausted from a. chasing a toddler b. being pregnant. My DS is a great sleeper (STTN since 12 weeks) but no way I could have done any of this during maternity leave, unless your taking 6months.

OP here. Thanks for the info. What about the renovation dust and fumes and other stuff like that? I understand about the no VOC paint, we use that too and I am not concerned about that. More concerned about dust, sanding, glues, etc.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Do it now, or get ready to wait several years. The last thing your going to want to do with an infant is renovate.

I'm living through a renovation now with a 13mon old and am 14 weeks pregnant - total nightmare. Learn from my mistake!

What are you renovating? Is the dust/chemicals/glues/paints an issue re: being pregnant?

We bought a new (to us) house (built in 1960), so we have had all of the flooring ripped out and replaced (new hardwoods, carpet & tile). Painted EVERY single room including closets, trim & ceilings (we are using VOC free / Eco friendly paint, Benjamin Moore - be warned its not cheap) & are currently gutting the kitchen. Once I finish the kitchen baths are next.

The only issues I've had is keeping my very active toddler out of the areas we are working on & being exhausted from a. chasing a toddler b. being pregnant. My DS is a great sleeper (STTN since 12 weeks) but no way I could have done any of this during maternity leave, unless your taking 6months.

OP here. Thanks for the info. What about the renovation dust and fumes and other stuff like that? I understand about the no VOC paint, we use that too and I am not concerned about that. More concerned about dust, sanding, glues, etc.

OP, life is messy and dirty. Your child is going to try to put everything they find in the mess and dirty world in their mouth, and no you will not always be able to stop them . Dust and glue are the least of your problems. Stressing about them will cause more harm than breathing them.

[Anonymous]

If you are worried about dust and other chemicals, isn't this going to be an even bigger worry with an actual BABY? Just imagine nap time with construction going on.

I am not an expert and maybe you should check with your OB, but I wouldn't be that worried about the dust, etc. You will be at work all day, and depending on the work you are having done, the contractor will seal off the work area. Yes, you will still have dust in your house, but not enough to affect you while you are pregnant.

[Anonymous]

All the dust and chemicals are worse for the baby once she's here v while you're pregnant. At least the placenta, your lungs etc filter some of that out. And you're not home most of the day. Also, the last thing you'll want with a newborn is the constant banging hammers and drilling.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:DH and I would like to do a renovation to the home. We were thinking third trimester might be a good time, or alternatively at some point during the baby's first year. Not sure which would be worse. On the one hand, I don't want to be exposed to dust and construction nasties while pregnant. On the other hand, a renovation (this one would probably last 6 weeks) could be disruptive to a newborn or baby's napping/feeding schedule and they could be bothered by the dust and noise. Not sure what to do. The nice thing about doing it after delivery would be that I would be on maternity leave and could supervise the reno. Otherwise, both of us will be at work full-time and won't be there at all to supervise, and I would prefer to supervise at least some of it.

bwahahahahahahahah!

I'm sorry, what?