The first time we get pregnant, we can find ourselves either feeling that we’ve got to protect everything at all costs or we can go to the other end of the spectrum and feel like this isn’t going to stop us from living the life we already have, despite morning sickness and pelvic pain. There will be things you will need to do when you are pregnant to prepare for the baby, much like getting the baby’s room ready. But what about if you need to renovate the entire property? There can be a few things to consider at this point, not just for your safety, but to ensure that you are setting up a home for you and your little one. These include some of the following:
Investing More Upfront
You might think that because you’ve got a baby on the way you’ve got to start conserving your finances in specific ways. There is a logic to this, because you will be spending more on things like diapers and bottles, but you also need to think about those investments that will create a far more supportive home environment.
If you’ve moved into an older property, there can be a number of concerns in relation to insulation. This might be where you’d benefit from swapping out the windows. Window replacement companies like on here provide energy-efficient windows made of wood fibers and composite polymers, but you can also insulate the loft as well.
Just make sure that when you are investing in these things up front it’s not leaving you with very little to put together when the baby comes along. You should always operate with the 50-30-20 mindset, where 50% of your earnings go on all the essentials, 30% on the things you want, but then use 20% of the earnings to put into savings or pay off debt.
Knowing What You Can Realistically Do
You might have a partner that’s trying to protect you at all costs but you want to contribute. You can do a lot to renovate the home, but it’s about making sure that you know what is completely off-limits:
- When varnishing wood, ensure you don’t use polyurethane in spray form. Polyurethane is a varnish that protects wood from scratches and damage, but if you have to use polyurethane, it must be in liquid form, but only outside with adequate ventilation.
- Using water-based paint such as chalk or acrylic will be better for you and your baby’s health. When you use oil-based paint, it contains volatile compounds and must be avoided at all costs.
- Avoid chemical cleaning products, but instead, make a lot of organic cleaning materials with baking soda, lemon juice, and vinegar. While you might be looking to clean your toilets or ovens you’ve got to minimize the potential for inhaling harmful chemicals.
Don’t Be Present During Major Renovation Work
It might be nice to see builders come by and rip out walls, but when contractors are taking a sledgehammer to the fixtures, you need to be away at all costs. From mold to asbestos, these can all be very detrimental to our and our baby’s health. This is especially true when living in older properties. Even a little dust and debris can be harmful when we breathe them in. You can wear a face mask if you need to be around, but it is far better to be in well-ventilated areas. You should always have dust masks, gloves, and goggles on hand and wear long sleeves to keep chemicals away from your skin.
Keeping an Eye on Your Health During This Process
One of the biggest mistakes we all make is feeling like we can do everything we did before we were pregnant. At this point, it’s important to pay attention to your body. If you ever feel overtired or fatigued, you should know when to call it a day. If you ever feel like you’re developing a headache, you should stop working right away. It’s also a good idea to speak to a doctor so they can advise you on what is safe and what precautions you should be taking.
Above all, else make sure that you are getting ready for the birth. If you are renovating your home in the hope of getting it done before the baby comes along, you might think this is for everyone’s benefit, but before you start renovating make sure that you are enjoying the pregnancy when and where you can. Taking the time to go through baby names and being mentally ready is far more important than the renovations.
