Tips to treat headaches during pregnancy

Next Level Urgent Care
April 20, 2023
8:31 am

Many women experience headaches during their pregnancy. Here are some helpful tips to treat headaches during pregnancy!

Why Are Pregnancy Headaches Common?

The bliss and beauty of pregnancy also brings various emotions, challenges, and especially elevated aches! Among the most common of these is the dreaded headache that seems to come on during the worst times and lasts longer than usual. What’s worse, headaches during pregnancy are also exacerbated by other equally common illnesses, such as morning sickness and sinus congestion.

Research suggests that these headaches can be caused by hormone changes, dehydration, low blood sugar, or high blood pressure. Further, pregnancy insomnia and lack of sleep is also a primary driver for these headaches. While these symptoms are especially prevalent during the first and third trimesters, they can occur at any time during pregnancy. Here’s some tips to help you cope!

Treating Headaches During Pregnancy

Know your triggers: Like morning sickness, but headaches have trigger points too! Win the battle before it begins by knowing what environments or instances flair up your headaches the most.
Monitor hydration: Your body (especially your heart) is working overtime to support you and your baby, and this takes hourly replenishment. Proper hydration is critical for many reasons in pregnancy, but to especially keep headaches at bay.
Try to stay physical: Let’s face it, exercising likely isn’t top of mind when it’s hard enough just to move around! However, this extra movement can be just what you need to mitigate frequent headaches, even if it’s just a walk.
Avoid secondhand smoke: Smoking and secondhand smoke is dangerous to everyone, but especially pregnant women and children. Monitor your environment and make the changes necessary to avoid exposure to smoke.
Manage stress: Stress is one of the leading causes of headaches during pregnancy. Especially with rapid hormonal changes, practicing mindfulness and stress mitigation is critical. Keep in mind massage therapy for stress may not be recommended in early pregnancy.
Manage rest and sleep: Sleep insomnia is unfortunately common during pregnancy and can occur during any trimester, which is a breeding ground for headaches. Embrace a nap, use white noise, and set a night time routine for optimal rest!
Warm water and steam: Headaches can often be caused by clogged sinuses and sinus infections during pregnancy. While certain medications might be off limits, warm water, steam, and warm compresses are always available.

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What Else to Watch Out For?

As mentioned above, there are other common illnesses experienced during pregnancy that can trigger or occur completely separate from the dreaded headache. Sinus congestion and extreme stuffiness is one of these, and often the most unexpected in first time moms. When the big news comes, be sure to stock up on over the counter medications, herbal (low caffeine teas), humidifiers, and nasal rinse methods. Consult with your doctor before using nasal spray.

On a concluding note, while headaches during pregnancy are common, there are certain progressions one should watch out for. If a headache is accompanied by blurred vision, dizziness, and stronger than usual nausea, consult your OBGYN or family doctor right away. Such symptoms can be due to high blood pressure, and disorders such as preeclampsia which might need medical attention.

Keep Reading: Why Babies Fight Sleep and What to Do About It

Tips to treat headaches during pregnancy

Why Are Pregnancy Headaches Common?

Treating Headaches During Pregnancy

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