Would you stain your wood floor in your first tri?

Shyski · May 2010

Hi all, I need some opinions please. My DH and I are renovating and we've been refinishing the original wood floors upstairs. It's gotten to the stage where it's ready to stain. I don't feel comfortable helping because of the fumes involved but there are some google/wiki answers that suggest it is ok to use stain while pregnant if you're in a well ventilated room etc. Of course, there are also answers that say it might not be ok, although there hasn't been any studies done to support this with any conviction.

What would your gut reaction be? What would you do? TIA!

rider5344 · May 2010

I wouldn't do it. But then, I have switched to mostly "home made" cleaning stuff to avoid chemical contact. So maybe i'm overly cautious.

izzourclue · May 2010

There are a ton of VOCs in stain. I would probably just let DH do it while you are out of the house and come back about 5 or 6 hours after its dry and the rooms are aired out. Or if you want to help, you can buy a chemical respirator.

LW2410 · May 2010

I would strongly suggest avoiding it. I stained my cabinets (before I was pregnant) and I can tell you, just from the fumes, it wasn't happy stuff especially the varnish that you'll need to seal/protect the stain. Can your husband get a friend to help?

houndbaby · May 2010

I wouldn't, wood stain is some nasty stuff.

noellemari · May 2010

No. I believe the side of the stain can even says not to. I stained some furniture with my first pregnancy and lost that baby and can't help but to think if maybe I hadn't stained.... So I vote no!!

MNgirl326 · May 2010

Nope. I tried to help paint the nursery with Low VOC paint and I still got dizzy. I can't imagine trying to stain floors.

Staining is a project for only your DH at this point.

I would use this opprotunity to go stay with mom or a friend for the weekend, and let him do it.

izzourclue · May 2010

noellemari:
No. I believe the side of the stain can even says not to. I stained some furniture with my first pregnancy and lost that baby and can't help but to think if maybe I hadn't stained.... So I vote no!!

I just had to say, I am so sorry for your loss and I am positive that staining did not cause you to m/c. The only reason I would be worried about it is the chemicals can reduce the amount of oxygen in your blood and make you sick and dizzy.

Shyski · May 2010

Just got back from dinner and saw all your responses! Thanks for the advice everyone. I feel the same way. I'll help DH do everything else and then when the stain comes out I'll go for a little vacation.

To Noellemari - sorry for your loss. That must be really hard. FWIW, from all the posts online that I read about I never came across anything that actually blamed stain fumes for m/c so I'm sure your experience with staining didn't contribute. Thinking of you!

HBaylies · May 2010

I would avoid anything with a strong smell during the whole first trimester, including anything for rennovations or cleaning. Smells come from chemicals and checmical exposure should be limited as much as possible, particularily during the vital first trimester.

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