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Once a woman becomes pregnant, she gears herself up for a lot of upheavals. There are many things that affect a woman during pregnancy. From physical to physiological changes and from emotional to hormonal, you name it, it is there. All these changes are bound to cause a lot of discomfort to the woman, like nausea, vomiting, swelling of the feet, to name a few. Today, we address one such pregnancy-related discomfort – headaches.
Q: What Causes Headaches During Pregnancy?
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A: One of the most common discomforts of the gestational phase, headaches can occur at any time during the pregnancy. However, they usually occur during the first and the third trimesters. As soon as a woman enters her first trimester, the immediate changes that her body experiences are that of an increased blood volume and hormonal changes. Hormones like the estrogen and progesterone are at an all-time high to assist you throughout your pregnancy. These changes in the hormones and blood volume cause frequent headaches. Apart from this, there are other factors, in combination or standalone, that may aggravate your headaches. Some of these factors are as below:
- Irregular sleeping habits
- Low blood sugar
- Dehydration
- Lifestyle stressors
- Caffeine withdrawal
There may be times when some women with a history of migraine headaches gear up for more episodes of a migraine, only to discover them to be few and far between. Yet, there are some who’ve had equal if not more episodes of migraine headaches.
Frequent episodes of headaches during the third trimester generally arise out of the poor posture because of the growing belly. The extra weight and the tension it creates also fuel the condition further. At times, persistent headaches can also be a sign of a condition called preeclampsia, which is caused due to pregnancy-related high blood pressure (1).
Q: How Can I Avoid Them?
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A: By making simple lifestyle changes, it’ll be possible to keep pregnancy headaches at bay. These changes can be as follows:
- Avoiding stress – it may seem too obvious yet not so easy to achieve, but definitely worth a shot.
- Include physical activity and exercise – but do make sure to discuss this with your doctor before you take up any such workout regimen.
- Avoid headache triggers – especially those with a history of migraines. So, do away with those chocolates, alcohol, peanuts, preserved meats, etc.
- Eat at regular hours – it may not be easy to maintain a regular eating schedule, but eat your meals diligently. Take the help of family members to achieve this.
- Get your required dose of sleep – early to bed, early to rise! This formula holds good even during pregnancy.
Q: How Can I Treat These Headaches Naturally?
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A: There are many ways you can relieve your headache before reaching out for that bottle of medicines. A few of them are mentioned here:
- Applying a warm compress around your eyes when you are experiencing a sinus headache will help in alleviating the pain.
- Apply an ice pack or a cold compress at the back of your neck to ease your tension headache.
- Eating smaller portions of meals, but frequently, helps to maintain your blood pressure.
- Nothing beats a good massage to beat the stress! Get regular neck and shoulder massages. Or better still, request your partner to do it for you!
- Take warm showers to help you relax
- Practice deep breathing or meditation to overcome stress.
Q: When Should I Call The Doctor?
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A: When none of the home remedies work and you wish to take medicines, consult your doctor. If persistent headaches cause an abnormal amount of swelling in the hands and face, blurred vision, abnormal weight gain, or cause upper right abdomen pain, call your doctor immediately.
Pregnancy is certainly not an easy journey. However, being alert and aware about your condition will definitely keep you ahead of any unexpected complications that may arise. Not to mention, ample family support and regular visits to the doctor also go a long way in making this journey a memorable one for you. Have a happy and safe pregnancy!
