Headaches During Pregnancy
During the nine months of pregnancy, headaches can get worse as the baby grows in the womb. But the worst thing is that, during pregnancy, you cannot count on some medications that are usual to relieve headaches. Especially if you tend to have tension headaches or migraines.
But luckily, there are other strategies that can help you get some relief from these pains during pregnancy . The most important thing, first of all, is to know why you are having these pains. Because when you know the source, it’s easier to figure out how to cure them.
Why do headaches appear?
During the first trimester of pregnancy, your body experiences an increase in hormones as well as an increase in blood volume . These two changes can cause quite frequent headaches. These pains can be even stronger because of stress, poor posture or even when you have changes in vision – something that happens to some pregnant women.
There may also be other causes of headaches during pregnancy which may include:
- lack of sleep
- low blood sugar
- Dehydration
- Stress
- Emotional problems
- Tiredness
- Hunger
- nasal congestion
- Allergies
Women who have regular headaches may find that they experience less pain during pregnancy. However, other women may experience the same headache, comparing it to migraines before pregnancy. Or even it could be that they become much stronger.
If you are pregnant and have headaches, then this is the time to talk to your doctor about what medications you can take.
Headaches during the third trimester are usually more related to poor posture and the tension that exists from being overweight. Headaches during the third trimester can also be caused by a condition called pre-eclampsia — high blood pressure during pregnancy. In this case, the doctor must follow up to make sure that everything goes well.
What can you do to relieve your headache
There are many steps you can take so that you can relieve your headache. Therefore, you should choose – together with your doctor if necessary – the one that best suits you and the intensity of pain you feel.
- For tension headaches and migraines. You should spend a few minutes lying down in a dark, quiet room. If you’re at work, try to find a quiet spot, close your eyes and put your feet up for 15 minutes. You can also place a cloth-wrapped ice pack on the back of your neck for 20 minutes.
- For headaches caused by allergies or nasal congestion. You can try steam inhalation to relieve congestion or use a humidifier to add moisture to the air. You can also apply hot and cold compresses to the place where your head hurts and alternate every 30 seconds from one place on the head to another for 10 minutes, four times a day. You will also need to drink plenty of fluid for the mucus to dissolve better. If you notice that you have an infection, then it is best to call your doctor to recommend a nasal decongestant that is safe to use during pregnancy.
- For other headaches. You know you cannot take ibuprofen and other medications that are too dangerous for your baby. So, go to your doctor so that he can recommend you some medications that are safe for pregnancy – with the correct dosage. That way you can feel relief from your headaches.
