You should be careful about using more than 2 or 3 times a week, but it is usually preferred over other painkillers. Aspirin is best avoided, especially towards the end of pregnancy, although there is some research looking at whether in low doses, in the early stages, it may help prevent miscarriage. There is also a risk of problems with ibuprofen. Different drugs affect the baby at different stages When a pregnant woman takes medicines, some are able to cross the placenta into the baby's blood stream. The medicine may then either harm the baby or interfere with normal development of the baby.
Different drugs have different effects at particular stages of pregnancy.
Often women take medicines in the early weeks of pregnancy before even realising they are pregnant. So if you are trying to conceive, or there's a risk you could become pregnant, you should always check with your doctor about any medications you're taking. For example, major painkillers and anaesthetic drugs can leave the baby very drowsy and interfere with feeding early on. Get headaches checked Just one word on the headaches. Headaches happen during pregnancy, just like during the rest of life, and in most cases there is no worrying cause.