The trimesters
Having a headache during pregnancy is not abnormal. Out of the three stages, the first symptom of headaches start to appear during the first trimester. This happens due to the increase in blood flow and circulation, and the overflowing of hormones in the body. Cutting down on caffeine is also considered to be another factor. Meanwhile, the body of the mother is getting accustomed to the new changes that is taking place. Once the gushing of hormones and the blood flow settle down, which eventually does in the second trimester, the mother can relax a bit for those three months. The unfortunate part is, the headaches might come back in the third trimester. The reasons being:
The tension of the final outcome Carrying extra weight that leads to bad posture Lack of sleep Low blood sugar High blood pressure Dehydration Sinus congestion
Want to know which headache you’re exactly suffering from and how to deal with it? Then you need to read these posts: Tension Headache: Understanding Of The Most Common Headache Cluster Headaches: How To Deal With The Worst Headache Sinus Headache: Symptoms, Causes And Natural Reliefs How To Get Rid Of A Headache Without Medicine
Migraine during pregnancy
Surprisingly, majority of the women who suffer from migraine said that this form of pain reduced dramatically than before. Migraine is a neurological disorder that triggers the pain severely. It is caused by hormonal fluctuation during menstruation. Out of 80 percent of female migraine sufferers, 58 percent said they have mild attacks of migraine, or those who are very lucky suffer no pain at all. Only a handful of females reported that they suffer from extreme migraine at least twice or thrice during the entire pregnancy period. The reason for a reduction in migraine headaches during pregnancy is because the hormonal fluctuation settles down in the body during the pregnancy period.
What can be done to relieve headaches during pregnancy?
There is a limitation to medicine intake during pregnancy. Most of the drugs are prohibited, leaving only a few option to be considered. It is always advised to seek natural remedies to cure headaches. Some of the helpful tips are given below.
Eat small amounts of healthy meals frequently. Do not stay hungry for a longer period of time. Get adequate amount of rest, especially during the third trimester. Apply cold/ hot compression on the head, neck and shoulders. Go for a body massage. Do exercises as shown by the doctor. Take warm shower never possible. Improve the bad posture to prevent further headache. Take naps whenever possible, preferably in a dark room. Try to go outside and breathe in fresh air. Listen to music that will distract from all the anxieties. Hydrate by drinking plenty of water, and fresh juices. For severe cases, go for acupuncture and acupressure.
If the above natural remedies don’t work, the safest medication is acetaminophen (Tylenol). If the pain persists for few days, the doctor may prescribe beta-blockers. Beta blockers are used to control blood pressure, are safe for pregnant mothers, and can reduce severe headaches.
What else to avoid
There are some food, drink and medications that are recommended in order to avoid headaches during pregnancy. Food like:
Chocolates Food containing artificial sweeteners Too much sweets Old cheese Yogurt Sour cream Peanuts processed meat Smoked salmon
Drinks such as:
Alcohol Can juices containing preservatives Fizzy drinks Coffee
Medications:
Ibuprofen Aspirin
Headaches during pregnancy are usually nothing serious. They will come and go, a mother just needs to be cautious and can easily prevent them from coming. It just needs a little persistence, some well balanced lifestyle, eating habits, good posture, and plenty of positivity and happy thoughts. These headaches are preventable. But whatever a pregnant mother does, always ask the practitioner before doing anything.
