Headache in pregnancy is common usually more in the earlier stages. A medical review reported that 39% of pregnant and postpartum women have headaches.
Most headaches just happen by themselves and not connected to any complication in the pregnancy and can include:
- Tension headaches
- Migraine attacks which often are felt more on one side
- Cluster headaches
However if you do start having headaches it is worth having a check up with your Doctor to rule out any complications in the pregnancy. If you feel headaches along with any of the following symptoms then seek urgent medical attention:
- nausea and vomiting
- fever
- blurred vision
- pain that is severe
- fainting
- seizures
Below we have listed common causes of headaches in the different trimesters and some ways you can try and resolve.
1st TRIMESTER HEADACHES
- changes in your hormones
- weight changes – steady increases in weight are expected during pregnancy but if you put a lot of weight on quickly it could be a contributer – try adjusting your diet or exercising more to keep weight gain in control
- higher blood volume
- dehydration – just simply drinking more water or fluids can make a big difference
- secondary to nausea and vomiting
- nutritional deficiencies – may be worth having a blood test to check your iron levels
- not doing enough activity or exercise
- withdrawal from caffeine – this will ease in time once you become used to little or none
2nd TRIMESTER HEADACHES
- significant weigh gain – steady increases in weight are expected during pregnancy but if you put a lot of weight on quickly it could be a contributer – try adjusting your diet or exercising more to keep weight gain in control
- bad postures – see our neck workout to correct posture and neck stretches and muscle tension release techniques to ease headaches
- high blood pressure – this is common as pregnancy progresses and needs to be checked by your Medical Health Provider and treated accordingly as high blood pressure in pregnancy can increase risk of:
- stroke
- preeclampsia
- eclampsia
- restricted oxygen to the baby
- premature delivery
TREATMENTS THAT CAN HELP
- Usually Doctors will say that a mild pain relieving medication such as Paracetamol or Tylenol but always check with first before taking any medications not presribed – Aspirin and Ibuprofen/Nurofen usually advised against
- Up your water intake as more often than not headaches are down to dehydration
- Try ice packs of heat packs over the area (make sure to wrap in a towel before applying) – some people find relief from the cold and some from the warm
- Exercises to stretch out tension in the neck which can cause tension headaches – see post video for Headache Relief Workout
- Exercises to improve posture and stop muscles being under tension – see post video for Headache Relief Workout
- Rest up – it may just you are doing too much and may benefit from having a lie down
- Essential oils such as chamomile can help if a few drops placed on your pillow or on a tissue to sniff.
