Headaches during pregnancy are often due to hormonal changes. Some women who are not pregnant also experience headaches during menstruation due to hormonal changes. The headache can be more severe in the first few weeks of pregnancy and usually decreases or disappears completely in the last six months.
A headache won’t harm the fetus, but it can make you feel uncomfortable. In this article, you will learn how to prevent headaches and when to see a doctor when you have a headache during pregnancy.
Related article: Anemia during pregnancy
Causes of headaches during pregnancy
In addition to hormonal changes, changes in blood pressure can also cause tension headaches. If you had headaches or migraines before pregnancy, you are more likely to have headaches during pregnancy.
Fatigue, hunger, dehydration, stress, lack of fresh air and not getting enough exercise can cause headaches. If you’re trying to cut down on caffeine or quit smoking, headaches may also be part of your withdrawal symptoms.
During pregnancy, due to changes in the pressure around the eyes, vision may be affected, and eye pressure can cause pain in and around the eyes, as well as around the head. In tension headaches, you may feel pain on both sides of your head, usually accompanied by a feeling of pressure in your head.
If you’re dehydrated, your headache is more likely to be at the base of your skull and around your neck. Headaches aren’t common in late pregnancy, and if they are, there are likely more serious problems, such as high blood pressure. If you have a headache in the third trimester, you should inform your doctor.
Prevent and cure headaches
Lifestyle changes can help prevent headaches. In any case, remember not to take any medicine, even simple acetaminophen, without a prescription during pregnancy. Also, avoid taking some pain relievers such as codeine pain relievers during pregnancy unless prescribed by a doctor. Some strategies to prevent and treat headaches include the following:
- Drink plenty of water.
- Breathe in the fresh air.
- Take a bath to relax.
- Go for a walk
- Try to eat something every two to three hours.
- Eat well and try to have a healthy diet.
- Eat a variety of food groups and make sure you’re getting your nutrients.
- Some snacks, like almonds, are useful when you’re at work.
- During the day, rest whenever possible in a quiet, comfortable place.
- Use meditation, hypnosis, and other relaxation techniques, and take yoga classes while pregnancy.
- Try to sleep for a long time at night.
- Avoid headaches caused by excessive neck bending.
- Massage your neck, shoulders, face, and skull, or ask a partner or friend to do it for you.
- An ice pack or a cold or hot wet towel; according to the need and how your body wants, put it on your head or behind your head.
- Check the effect of some things that cause your headaches, such as drinking coffee, smoking, stuffy, messy rooms, and fluorescent lamps that cause eye strain, and avoid them.
- The position of the chair and the computer screen should be in a position that does not put pressure on the neck and body. While driving, adjust the rearview mirror so that it does not put pressure on your neck. Your pillow shouldn’t be too long.
- Also, if your mattress is very old, you may get headaches without realizing it.
- If you work too much with mobile phones and tablets, you should take care of your neck, because neck pain will lead to headaches.
- Sometimes a cold shower can stimulate blood vessels and cause them to narrow and reduce pain.
Time to see a doctor
If you have had many headaches before, let your doctor know and ask for her advice. Severe headaches can indicate high blood pressure, in this case, you should see a doctor right away, as it could be a sign of a complication called pre-eclampsia or pre-eclampsia.
Preeclampsia is a complication experienced by some pregnant women in the second half of pregnancy or immediately after childbirth. If preeclampsia is not treated, it will have serious complications that can cause problems with the developing fetus. Women with preeclampsia will also have the following symptoms:
- Severe headache
- high blood pressure
- Swelling of the hands and feet
- Severe vomiting
- Pain under the ribs
- Vision problems such as blurred vision or blinking eyes
Treatment of headaches in pregnancy
Non-pharmacological treatments for migraine during pregnancy, such as biofeedback techniques, acupuncture, and transcranial magnetic stimulation, are limited.
Administration of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs is effective, and most migraines respond to simple pain relievers such as ibuprofen, acetaminophen, or Midrin (especially if prescribed early). In most cases, multi-use regimens are used to treat migraine patients.
Severe headaches will be treated with intravenous hydration and injection of antiemetics and opioids. In recent years, 2 grams of magnesium sulfate have been administered intravenously, but recently no beneficial effect has been reported in cases of its administration.
Ergotamine derivatives should not be used during pregnancy due to their strong vasoconstrictive effect.
Triptans are serotonin receptor agonists that relieve headaches by constricting intracranial vessels. This drug is given orally, by injection, rectal suppository, or nasal spray. Its best use is in combination with NSAIDs.
Although this drug seems safe during pregnancy; during a study of children exposed to Triptans during pregnancy, neurodevelopmental disorders, including functional and emotional problems were observed.
Preventive oral treatment is indicated in women who suffer from frequent migraines.
Amitriptyline, propranolol, or metoprolol are safe during pregnancy.
You can have high blood pressure in any month of pregnancy and not see any symptoms. For this reason, it’s better to check your blood pressure at home several times a week. If you have a history of conditions such as migraines, high blood pressure, seizures, and diabetes in your family, inform your doctor.
Headaches can also be caused by hormonal changes, so it’s important to make sure you’re getting enough rest and are drinking enough water. If you have other symptoms like vomiting or dehydration, please talk to your doctor right away.
What causes headaches every day while pregnant?
what causes headaches at night during pregnancy?
last word
Headache during pregnancy is very common, in the first trimester it is often a tension headache that may be caused by body changes. Sometimes the cause of headaches in the second and third month of pregnancy can be serious and should be taken seriously.
