Nail Polish Fumes and Pregnancy

Q - I am a part time esthetician, and go to client’s homes to give manicures and pedicures. No artificials are used, so the fumes are straight from the regular nail polish bottles. Now that. I am trying to get pregnant, I am wondering if I should stop doing my house calls till all is said and done, or is it ok that I continue doing manis and pedis throughout my pregnancy?

A - There is no reason why you can not continue to do both manicures and pedicures through your pregnancy.  You can be a little more sensitive to smells during pregnancy so you might want to ensure you are in a well ventilated space while working, (ie with a window or door open). The smell and fumes will not hurt the baby but they may make you feel unwell, especially in the first three months.

- Dr. Linda Ducholke, a mother of two, has been a successful Family Practitioner with Obstetrical privileges for the past 20 years. The main focus and passion of her practice is obstetrics and childcare.