The Letterville BullBoard: Pregnant Signpainters

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Posted by Colleen Santucci (Member # 1085) on :

Hello my fellow signpainter people!!!

Besides the obvious of changing over to all water based paints, wearing a respirator in the fabrication area (if still using lead enamels), leaving the exhaust fan on for the duration of work time, stop eating the lead based paints, .....

What is a future pregnant signpainter to do
to still keep working in the sign shop ?

Yes, I am in the computer room most of the time designing, but I am concerned about fumes. Can anyone help me with some "final answers" or concerns of their own on this subject?

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Colleen Sack
SixFlags Darien Lake Sign Shop
Darien Center, NY
dlsignhag@aol.com

Posted by cheryl nordby (Member # 1100) on :

Hi Colleen.....and congratulations to you! When I was pregnant....I had to let a fellow signpainter do all my work. (this was back in the 80's though)I was told not to inhale paint fumes, thinner.....etc. You are doing the right thing. Relax and enjoy!

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surf or MoJo on mirc
Cheryl J Nordby
Signs by Cheryl
(206) 300-0153
Seattle WA.....!
signsbycheryl@hotmail.com
A day without sunshine is like, you know...night http://signsbycheryl.homestead.com/home.html
http://mojosignco.homestead.com/home.html

From sharp minds come sharp products

Posted by Deb Fowler (Member # 1039) on :

Hi Colleen,

Congratulations!
I agree with Cheryl. Get as far away from any of that as you can! Even caffeine can affect a fetus' nervous system, I'm sure you know that. Even touching the paint can result in the absorption through the skin. I did paint letter one job when I was pregnant, but then thought about it and refused to come close to any of that.
Even another shop to help with the painting to get the fumes further than 30 feet from you. It IS important, and you have the right to be concerned.
signed, a proud mom and grandma!

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Deb
Creative Signs

[This message has been edited by Deb Fowler (edited March 30, 2001).]

Posted by Hassle Fiasco (Member # 2038) on :

As you can guess, pregnancy never bothered me and all of the answers above are good ones but there are somethings that were'nt mentioned. Some persons just are not in the position to stop working and relax for almost a year.

First off, since you spend most of the time in the designing end, an Alpine air cleaner or one from Sharper Image should be in line both in the room you work in and the shop where the fumes are. These units do work wonders in regards to cleaning the air you breathe but get them for the amount of square footage those rooms contain. Secondly get yourself a comfortable chair geared for your own structure and remove that coffee machine from the premices.

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cannot wait any longer for the BB to give me a password for my profile change.........

Posted by Jim Upchurch (Member # 209) on :

And when you're having those evening brewskies remember you're drinking for two now.

(ain't guys helpful)

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Artworks
Olympia WA

Posted by Donna in BC (Member # 130) on :

Congrats Colleen!

As many of you know, my employee left because she got pregnant. My shop at the time was attached to a bodyshop, so she feared the fumes. She got tested for chemicals, and carbon monoxide was extremely high. She quit on the spot.

Unfortunately, nearly everything in this biz is bad for a pregnancy. The vinyl gives off fumes too. The bending, climbing on ladders, etc. will prove tricky for you. I think it's a blessing in disguise that I was not able to get pregnant, and instead, chose adoption. I was climbing ladders the day before Cody was born! LOL

I'm not sure what advice I can give you, however the reason for me posting is just to share that I can relate with your concerns. Hassle's advice is pretty good since you must keep working. Cleaning the air, ensuring you have your windows cracked open, etc. In the 'old days', it was said that computers were bad for pregnancy as well. Not sure if this info is still vogue or not, however you may want to consider renting/buying a lead apron like they lay on you at the dentist when taking xrays. I know that's what I'd investigate ASAP if I were in your shoes.

Best wishes with everything!

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Graphic Impact
Abbotsford, BC, Canada
gisigns@sprint.ca

Posted by Mike Pipes (Member # 1573) on :

Nope, computers wont cause any problems with pregnancy.. no more than using the microwave in the kitchen at least. =)

Is an iron lung out of the question? at least then yer guaranteed fresh air.. could be difficult to work at the computer though.. =)

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Mike Pipes
Digital Illusion Custom Graphics
Lake Havasu City, AZ
http://www.stickerpimp.com

Posted by Colleen Santucci (Member # 1085) on :

YIKES - that's all I can say right now.
Thank you everyone (so far) for your input !!

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Colleen Sack
SixFlags Darien Lake Sign Shop
Darien Center, NY
sfdlsigns@aol.com

Posted by Deb Fowler (Member # 1039) on :

Can't afford to quit? The baby can't afford you to stay... if there are dangers,

(EVEN LIL ONES!)
You don't need to ask, darling,,you are
a smart woman, I know that... and I love you for asking.... you got my answer.
keep us posted,, with all the great group you have here, we will do the "other work", just ask, you'll see!

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Deb
Creative Signs

Posted by PKing (Member # 337) on :

How exactly did all this come about anyway?
What were you thinking?
Now that you let this happen,you only got Two(2)choices.Think of Yourself OR Think of the Child.

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PKing is
Pat King of
King Sign Design in
McCalla,Alabama
The Professor of
SIGNOLOGY

Posted by Colleen Santucci (Member # 1085) on :

woweeeeee - how did this happen you ask? nothing has happened yet - i am inquiring because this planning is for (hopefully) the "future" - so i am getting input.

anyhow - i am living in the "toxic triangle" (the next love canal) of cheektowaga (near buffalo,ny). so between this and being a signpainter - i am stuck for a bit - and just searching for the time being - wondering what the heck to do.
any questions, please feel free to email me at sfdlsigns@aol.com. thank you.

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:) Colleen Santucci
SixFlags Darien Lake Sign Shop
Darien Center, NY
sfdlsigns@aol.com

Posted by Deb Fowler (Member # 1039) on :

The first trimester of pregnancy is critical, maybe I will email you soon...
we care, Colleen,
Deb

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Deb
Creative Signs

Posted by Joey Madden (Member # 1192) on :

Colleen Sack, Colleen Santucci!!

Must be an Italian thingie......

So, you are not pregnant?

I always thought that Italian men kept their wives pregnant all summer and barefoot all winter......

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aka/ HotLines Joey Madden
Pinstriper and manufacturer of Killerkarts
http://members.tripod.com/Inflite

Posted by LazyEdna (Member # 266) on :

I was a pregnant signpainter... twice.
I felt great when I was pregnant, and I remember painting a wall on a ladder at 7 months pregnant. Of course.. I was a spry youngster of 30 at the time. My second pregnancy I was 38, and it was a lot harder to buck an 80 lb bale of hay during that pregnancy. I don't recall doing anything differently while I was pregnant, but, my son was born with an extra finger so maybe there was some residue from the distractions of my misspent youth....
Anyway.. I think being careful and cautious will probably be your best course of action.
And eat lots of broccoli.

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LazyEdna
in RL known as Sara Straw
from southern Utah
5 National Parks within 3 hours drive
Red Rock Heaven

Posted by Jillbeans (Member # 1912) on :

Hi Colleen.
Don't let everybody scare you. You seem like a sensible person, so I'm sure you wouldn't do anything risky.
I have 3 kids, two of which were born when I was a signpainter. I have climbed ladders & etc. while prego, just think of all the work our ancestors did when pregnant.
I always wore latex gloves (& still) do when using 1-Shot. Also, sit as much as you can while working & put your feet up at the end of the day. Try to drink plenty of water (you'll have to tinkle constantly anyway, so a little more won't matter). I had a lot of trouble with sciatica (or however ya spell it) during the last trimester. My midwife told me to close up shop at 8 months, so I did. All of the other suggestions about respirators & clean air stuff are good too. Good Luck!
Love, JILL

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Jill M. Welsh

Posted by John Kurtzman (Member # 1736) on :

Colleene;
you will replicate your own image, no matter what others sugggest is necessary and proper for child development.
What you believe correct, is correct, and will materialize as such. So what you think is ok, will be ok because your thinking only reflects who and what you are and will prevail. Your understanding of life is an expression and intrepitation of correct behavior in that enviorenment you were born into and will be conveyed to your offspring, so we continue on the path of learning and life.
Much like when we buy a new car, drive to "Yellowstone" to break it in, have a beer at Flathead Lake" and, get on Rt. 2 and go home to Conn. So that's the way life is....if you believe it to be so..and find upon your return that your wife,(Ex) was still and will continue to be popular with many of your friends and associates.

Kurtzman
Norwalk, Ct.

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Creative communication since 1959

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