Headaches during pregnancy: What's the best treatment?

You're right to be cautious about taking medication to treat headaches during pregnancy. Many headache medications may have harmful or unknown effects on a developing baby. You're not at the mercy of your headaches, though. There's much you can do to prevent or relieve headaches during pregnancy.

To prevent headaches during pregnancy:

• Avoid headache triggers. Keep track of your meals, activities and headaches for several days to help pinpoint your headache triggers — then do your best to avoid your triggers.
• Include physical activity in your daily routine. Try a daily walk or other gentle aerobic exercise.
• Practice relaxation exercises. Calming activities such as deep breathing, yoga and visualization can help keep headaches at bay.
• Eat smaller, more frequent meals throughout the day. This can keep your blood sugar on an even keel, which may help prevent headaches.
• Drink plenty of fluids. Staying hydrated can keep you feeling your best.
• Keep a regular sleep schedule. Fatigue and lack of sleep can contribute to headaches during pregnancy. Go to bed and wake up at about the same time every day, even on weekends.
• Maintain good posture. Poor posture or muscle tension can result in headaches, especially as you gain weight to support your pregnancy.
• Consider biofeedback. With this mind-body technique, you learn to control certain bodily functions — such as muscle tension, heart rate and blood pressure — to prevent headaches or reduce headache pain. If you'd like to try biofeedback, ask your health care provider for a referral to a biofeedback therapist.

When a headache strikes:

• Rest. Lie down in a dark, quiet room with your eyes closed.
• Use a compress. Apply a warm compress (such as a hot towel) to your face, eyes and temples — or try a cold compress on the back of your neck.
• Try massage. Ask someone to massage your shoulders and neck to relieve tension. Rubbing your temples also may help.

If these steps don't help, check with your health care provider about other treatment options — especially if the headache is the worst you've ever had or the headache is accompanied by changes in vision.

Remember, medication isn't necessarily off-limits during pregnancy. Although aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, others) and many prescription migraine drugs aren't recommended during pregnancy, most pregnant women can safely take acetaminophen (Tylenol, others) to treat occasional headaches. Your health care provider may recommend other medications as well. As with any medication, though, make sure you have the OK from your health care provider first.

Herbal headache remedies, such as feverfew and butterbur, aren't recommended during pregnancy.