Headaches in Pregnancy: All You Need To Know

Having a headache is a universal experience. We all experience headaches at some point, whether frequently or rarely. However, having headaches while you are pregnant can be a particularly daunting experience, given how you have to avoid any form of medication, especially in the first trimester. Something you must remember though, is that headaches are an extremely common symptom of pregnancy.

Causes of Pregnancy Headaches

The causes of headaches during pregnancy are not always clear It could happen due to hormonal changes, fatigue, stress, low blood sugar, or sinus issues, just to name a few. Migraine headaches are also very common during pregnancy. Let’s take a look at some of the common causes of headaches in pregnancy.

Hormonal Changes: In the first trimester, hormonal changes can cause headaches as oestrogen levels rise up 100 times more than normal, while progesterone levels fall. Oestrogen is known to have a role in migraines, which is why it is extremely common to have migraine issues during the first trimester of your pregnancy.

Fatigue and sleep deprivation: Pregnancy can cause you to feel tired all the time, and the uncomfortable new symptoms like morning sickness, heartburn, and nausea can make it difficult for you to get sufficient sleep. All of this leads to even more fatigue and sleep deprivation, which can in turn cause headaches.

Dehydration: Dehydration happens when the body loses more water than it is able to take in. This can often happen due to frequent vomiting and urination. Dehydration is one of the most common causes of headaches during pregnancy.

Low blood sugar: Hypoglycemia, or low blood sugar, is common during pregnancy. This is a result of how the hormonal changes in your body are processing glucose differently. When your blood sugar drops suddenly, it can cause headaches even if blood sugar levels are within the normal range. Eating something or consuming juice can help with this, as low blood sugar is often caused by hunger as well.

Caffeine withdrawal: People who suddenly stop consuming caffeine during pregnancy might get withdrawal headaches. Do remember that one cup of coffee per day will not harm you.

Increased Blood Volume: During pregnancy, the amount of fluid in the blood increases faster than the rate at which the red blood cells carrying oxygen multiply. This increases the volume of blood, which can cause headaches.

Posture Changes: Postural changes can cause headaches by putting added strain on the neck. These headaches are common in the first and third trimesters.

Pregnancy headaches can be of different types. They can be similar to headaches you have had before, or feel more intense. Let us read more about them.

Common Types of Headaches In Pregnancy

Migraine Headaches: Migraines are a dull, throbbing pain on any one side of your head. They are caused by the expansion of blood vessels in the brain. They are often accompanied by even more unpleasant symptoms like nausea, vomiting, and sensitivity to light.

Tension headaches: Tension headaches feel like someone is squishing your head. You might be more prone to this type of headache if you carry stress in your neck and shoulders.

Sinus headaches: Due to nasal congestion and runny nose, sinus headaches are common during pregnancy. This is most common during the second month of pregnancy.

Cluster headaches: Cluster headaches are rare in pregnancy but they can still happen. It is a serious condition and should not be ignored. It is characterised by pain around the eyes or temples and happens at the same time every day. They may be accompanied by nasal discharge and red, teary eyes.

Given how inconvenient these headaches can feel, especially since you cannot fully rely on medications, you need to know about some safe, reliable methods to handle them.

Natural Remedies for Headaches in Pregnancy

Cold or warm compress: You can try either of these, depending on the type of headache you are dealing with. When it comes to a migraine, cold compresses can be very helpful as they numb the area and reduce inflammation. You can try to take a cool shower or wrap some ice in a towel and hold it over the affected area. However, for tension headaches, it is best to opt for a warm compress. You can use a heating pad, a hot water bottle, or a towel soaked in warm water. This helps because it increases blood flow and helps relax tense muscles.

Stay hydrated: Your body can get dehydrated and lose electrolytes, so hydrating yourself to cure a headache might work. Drink as much water or juice as possible to avoid getting headaches.

Meditation and deep breathing: Practicing deep breathing techniques and meditation can help reduce stress, which is one of the most common causes of headaches during pregnancy.

Light exercise: Light yoga and stretches can help with headaches by easing the tension from specific areas in your body, like your neck and shoulders.

Eat at regular intervals: Not eating on time can cause headaches. The solution is to keep snacking at regular intervals. You can carry healthy snacks like nuts and fruits with you in small containers.

If your headaches persist, consult your doctor about medications that are safe during pregnancy. Here are some examples of medicines you can ask your doctor about:

Over-the-counter medications like Paracetamol, which are generally considered safe for pregnancy

When Should You See a Doctor?

As always, if your headache is bothering you too much, you should see a doctor at the earliest. Here are some warning signs that your headache could be something worse and that you should see a doctor:

If the headache does not subside, increases in severity and is constant
Is accompanied by changes in vision causing blurry vision
If the headache is sudden and begins in the third trimester

These could be signs of preeclampsia and require immediate attention. Preeclampsia also has other symptoms like nausea, high blood pressure and the sudden swelling of feet and ankles.

A headache can also signal something as serious as pregnancy-induced hypertension. This is most common during or after the 20th week of pregnancy. In pregnancy-induced hypertension, the blood pressure can rise to 140/90 mm.

Lifestyle Changes to Prevent Headaches

While most women do get headaches at some point during their pregnancies, they can be prevented by making some lifestyle changes. Some of them are as follows:

Maintain a routine: Maintaining a routine can be very beneficial, especially if you fix a schedule for your meals, drinking water and establish a fixed sleep time. You could also try to reduce your screen time.

Reduce stress: Pregnancy can be a stressful time. Try to keep your stress levels managed by practising mindfulness, yoga, and meditation. You could also speak to a therapist or join an online support group of like-minded pregnant women.

Change your environment: Create a safe, comfortable environment for yourself by reducing your exposure to bright lights and loud noises. Keep the room at a pleasant temperature when you are about to go to sleep. You can also use a pregnancy pillow and a weighted blanket for additional support.

So, in short, pregnancy headaches are very common, as inconvenient as they may be. Maintain a healthy diet, drink lots of water, and get sufficient rest and exercise to maximise your comfort. Just remember to speak to a doctor if it gets too severe.

FAQs on Headaches in Pregnancy: All You Need To Know

Are headaches normal during pregnancy?
Due to changing hormones, headaches may be very common during pregnancy. However, if the headaches are too severe and do not subside despite taking medication, you should call your doctor right away.
What can I do if I have a headache while I am pregnant?
To deal with pregnancy-related headaches, you should try to reduce stress, change your environment, maintain a healthy routine, get regular exercise, hydrate yourself, maintain a balanced diet and get adequate rest.