Advil, Tylenol or aspirin during pregnancy: is anything safe?

Like most uncomfortable symptoms during pregnancy, headaches are caused partly by a surge in hormones. Whether they come in the form of added pressure or shooting pains, headaches are one of the top-reported pregnancy ailments – but that doesn't make them any easier to deal with.

How you may be making the problem worse

Though they can occur at any point throughout pregnancy, an increase in headaches is most common during the first trimester. This is when your body is flooded with extra hormones – and when it is increasing your blood volume to grow and care for your baby. While some degree of discomfort may be inevitable as your body adjusts, there are a few ways you could be making the situation worse:

• Not dealing with stress and anxiety properly
• Not getting adequate rest
• Not staying properly hydrated
• Not eating a well-balanced diet
• Not weaning off caffeine slowly enough

How to treat headaches during pregnancy

Doctors advise against taking pain relievers such as Advil and aspirin during pregnancy. Some studies have shown that these medications, when taken regularly, may increase miscarriage risk and contribute to a host of complications – including placental abruption. Ingesting these frequently may hinder baby's growth and development, and even delay labor. If you can't suffer through another headache, try one of these pain-relieving moves instead of reaching for the aspirin bottle:

• Talk to your health care provider about taking a dose of Tylenol. Acetaminophen is considered safe during pregnancy when taken as prescribed on the bottle.
• Apply a warm or cold compress to the affected area.
• For sinus headaches, apply gentle pressure and a warm compress to your forehead, temples or nose.
• For migraines, an ice pack on your forehead can work wonders. Rest in a cool, dark room may do the trick too.

Have you been suffering through headaches during your pregnancy? What are some ways you've found relief?

By Lizzie Goodman

Lizzie Goodman is a writer living in the Midwest. Since becoming a mom, she's learned to do everything one-handed, often while letting her baby daughter pull her hair and poke her in the face. She believes in the strength and power of women - and really enjoys writing about pregnancy and motherhood.