It’s unknown whether Afrin is safe to take during pregnancy, so consider other options for relieving stuffy sinuses.

Afrin nasal spray works by tightening the blood vessels in your nasal cavities, bringing down swelling and helping you breathe freely. In general, you don’t want to make your blood vessels tighter when you’re pregnant because that can keep the baby from getting enough oxygen. Not a lot of studies have been done on Afrin in pregnancy, so many providers hesitate to recommend it before trying other things.

While Afrin’s constricting effects might only affect the sinuses, your provider may want you to try some alternatives first. Plain old Sudafed, for example, has been studied a lot more and may give you relief. Your provider can talk over the options with you and help you choose the best treatment for you and your baby.