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For a lot of women nursery preparation starts as soon as the fated double-line appears. Other moms-to-be wait until that burst of energy later in the pregnancy that signals that "nesting" has begun. Whether you decide to dive in and decorate now or later, you might be worried about whether or not it's safe to paint.

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are the ingredients that make paint smell, and that's what could be dangerous for growing fetuses. According to the Mayo Clinic's "Guide to a Healthy Pregnancy", long exposure to these compounds (for example, if you work around paint) could increase the risk of miscarriage or birth defects. If you're just painting the nursery walls over an afternoon, it should have no effect on your fetus....

For a lot of women nursery preparation starts as soon as the fated double-line appears. Other moms-to-be wait until that burst of energy later in the pregnancy that signals that "nesting" has begun. Whether you decide to dive in and decorate now or later, you might be worried about whether or not it's safe to paint.

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are the ingredients that make paint smell, and that's what could be dangerous for growing fetuses. According to the Mayo Clinic's "Guide to a Healthy Pregnancy", long exposure to these compounds (for example, if you work around paint) could increase the risk of miscarriage or birth defects. If you're just painting the nursery walls over an afternoon, it should have no effect on your fetus.

However, if you'd like to be extra careful, manufacturers now make low-VOC and zero-VOC paint, and it's your best bet if you want to beautify your baby's room absolutely worry-free.

• Wait until later in the pregnancy (the first two trimesters are the most delicate for the baby's development).
• Work in a well-ventilated area; stop immediately if you find yourself getting the "paint fume" headache.
• Avoid exposure to solvents and cleaning fluids associated with paint removal. Also, the American Pregnancy Association recommends that you avoid removing old paint altogether to avoid potential exposure to lead. (Lead-based paints were commonly used pre-1970s.)/li>
• Opt for water-based or latex paints instead of oil-based ones.
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