Pregnancy Headaches : All You Need To Know

Having a headache during pregnancy is common. The headaches while expecting are just like the ones you can get at any other time. Headaches can be triggered by a change in hormones during pregnancy. The increased sinus congestion, interrupted sleep along with dehydration are some factors for headaches in pregnant women.

A medical review reports that 39 percent of women have headaches during pregnancy and after giving their delivery. So, if you are pregnant and having headaches, you are not alone!

Types of Headaches

Most headaches during pregnancy are primary headaches. Which means that the pain is not a symptom of any complication in the pregnancy. Primary headaches during pregnancy include:

• Tension headaches: Body changes like weight gain increase the pressure on the shoulder and neck. This leads to tension headaches.
• Migraine attacks: Migraine is a headache that causes severe throbbing pain, usually on one side of the head. Some expecting mums with a history of migraine get fewer migraine attacks during pregnancy.
• Cluster headaches: Expecting mums experience severe unilateral pain mainly in the first division of the trigeminal nerve.

According to research, 26 percent of headaches during pregnancy are tension headaches.

Common Symptoms of Headache During Pregnancy

Some of the common symptoms of headache during pregnancy are:

• severe pain on one or both sides
• pulsating pain
• dull ache

Migraine pain might include the following symptoms:

• nausea
• blind spots
• vomiting
• seeing lines or flashes of light

What Causes Headaches During Pregnancy?

Headaches happen during any stage of pregnancy. Some common causes are:

• Hormones: During pregnancy, your hormone levels surge, and blood volume increases. As a result, headaches tend to begin during the first trimester.
• Trigger foods: Foods like cheese, yeast, chocolate, dairy, and processed meats like bacon can also trigger a headache in any trimester.
• Sinus congestion: If you’re suffering from sinus congestion, allergies, or a runny nose, a headache can also accompany these symptoms.
• Dehydration: Dehydration often goes hand in hand with nausea and vomiting. This too can also cause a throbbing headache.
• High blood pressure: After week 20 in pregnancy, expecting mums can also have severe headaches. This can be a symptom of pregnancy complications such as preeclampsia and premature delivery. It is advisable to talk to your doctor if you notice such a symptom.

Headache can also be a possibility during the first trimester because of the following:

• stress
• lack of sleep
• low blood sugar levels
• less physical activity
• sensitivity to light
• changes in vision
• poor nutrition
  

Whereas, headaches during the second and third trimesters are common because of:

• posture
• diabetes
• muscle strain

Hypertension During Pregnancy

Headaches during the second or third trimester of pregnancy, can be a sign that you have hypertension or high blood pressure. Reports show that about six to eight percent of pregnant women have high blood pressure.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), this condition can cause serious complications for both the mum and baby.

High blood pressure during pregnancy can increase the risk of:

• preeclampsia
• low oxygen flow to the baby
• preterm delivery, before 37 weeks
• eclampsia
• stroke
• placental abruption
• low baby birth weight (less than 5 pounds)

Your doctor might prescribe medication to treat high blood pressure. Cutting down on salt and adding more fibre to your daily diet is recommended.

How to Get Relief from Headache During Pregnancy?

If you want to get relief from headaches during pregnancy, here are some tips:

• Drink plenty of water
• Exercise regularly during pregnancy
• Place a heating pad on the back of your head. It should not be too hot.
• Apply an ice pack on your head or neck.
• Apply essential oils, such as peppermint, rosemary, and chamomile on the forehead.
• Drink herbal tea (for migraine headaches).

Headaches during pregnancy are probably unavoidable. However, you can do your part. You must keep stress (one of the foremost causes of headache during pregnancy) at bay. Take a prenatal yoga class or meditate. Try to get adequate sleep.

Last but not least, eat regularly. You can also keep healthy snacks handy so that you can munch on them whenever you feel hungry!