Headaches and Pregnancy: Causes and Treatment

Headaches and pregnancy seem to go together – most pregnant women will experience headaches to some degree. While you can have headaches at any time through your pregnancy, they are most often felt in the first and third trimesters.

What is the cause of headaches in pregnancy?

Headaches in the first trimester are most likely due to surges of hormones and an increased blood flow in your body. These first trimester headaches are made worse by poor posture and stress. There are several other possible causes of headaches and pregnancy:

• Stress – worry, excitement, changes to your lifestyle
• Withdrawal from caffeine
• Dehydration – not drinking enough water
• Low blood sugar
• Interrupted or insufficient sleep or rest

Migraine sufferers may experience a change in the frequency of their migraines, depending on what causes them. Some women have fewer migraine attacks, some have more and others have no change. If you usually take strong migraine medication, check with your doctor as to whether it is safe to take during your pregnancy.

Headaches in the third trimester are mostly caused by tension and posture, caused by the extra weight. Your center of gravity changes as your belly gets larger, and this causes strain to different parts of your body and alters your posture. There is also a condition called preclampsia, which refers to high blood pressure in pregnancy. If you experience headaches at any time during your pregnancy, you need to check with your doctor to ensure there is no problem.

How can you prevent headaches in pregnancy?

Because so many pregnancy headaches are caused by tension, it is best to try and avoid getting them at all. There are several strategies you can use; here are some helpful tips to help avoid headaches and pregnancy:

• Eat well – nutritious meals, healthy snacks, limit fatty foods and excess sugar and salt, eat six small meals a day rather than three big meals, and drink plenty of plain water.
• Have daily exercise – 20-30 minutes a day. Walking and swimming are really good forms of pregnancy exercise. Exercise keeps you fit, keeps muscles strong and helps you feel good.
• Focus on your posture – try to sit and stand in a way that doesn’t put strain on any part of your body.
• Rest is really important during your pregnancy, especially during the third trimester. Make sure you get plenty of relaxation; rest with your legs supported or lie down.

How can you treat a headache when you are pregnant?

If you do get a headache, try to get relief without resorting to medication. There are analgesics which are safe to take when you are pregnant, but check with your doctor about what you should take.

Here are some natural ways to relieve a headache:

• Lie down in a darkened room, close your eyes and focus on deep breathing.
• Lie down with a cool, damp face cloth on your forehead or a cold compress at the base of your skull.
• Have a warm bath or shower.
• Have someone gently massage your neck and shoulders to relieve the tension.
• Maintain constant blood sugar levels by having regular small meals and snacks. Avoid highly processed foods and those that are high in sugar.
• Avoid foods that are known to trigger headaches – chocolate, sour cream, yogurt, preserved meats, preservatives, alcohol and peanuts.

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