Pregnancy headaches are common among women, but it is important to understand its causes and learn how to alleviate this problem. Keep reading!
Moms can have pregnancy headaches and they can be a nuisance, especially if this problem persists for a while. Therefore, it is good to pay attention to the symptoms that may appear during pregnancy and visit your doctor whenever you need it.
To help you better understand the problem, we will explain why headaches may be common at this time. We will also detail the main causes of pregnancy headaches and when they can be a cause for concern. Finally, we will give you some tips that can help you feel better.
Why Do Pregnancy Headaches Happen?
Headaches are normal, especially in the beginning of pregnancy. If you feel stressed, headaches can be caused by tension. This means that there may be mild to moderate tension in the neck or shoulder regions.
When you’re expecting a baby, a headache can last for hours or even days, along with blurred vision and nausea. You may also experience sensitivity to light and noise. In that case, it could mean that you have a migraine.
Otherwise, pregnancy headaches may be followed by pressure around the eyes and forehead, which may be due to sinusitis. Therefore, it is common for the discomfort to worsen when you lean forward or lie down. You can also experience headaches if you skip meals and eat irregularly. That is due to low blood sugar.
Also, mothers need to be careful about self-medication during pregnancy. You must observe the symptoms and seek medical advice to receive a proper diagnosis.
What Causes Headaches During Pregnancy?
This type of pain is common in the first three months of pregnancy due to hormonal changes. Also, changes in diet can lead to headaches. Thus, women who used to drink coffee and soft drinks, but stopped drinking them, may experience headaches due to lack of caffeine.
Also, foods like chocolate, cheese, processed meats, and dairy products are likely to cause headaches during the first trimester of pregnancy. It is also important to be aware of the possibility of dehydration, which can lead to headaches, as well as nausea and vomiting.
Physical or emotional stress during pregnancy is another cause of this type of discomfort. After the 20th week, another reason for pregnancy headaches is high blood pressure. This condition can increase the risk of complications during pregnancy, such as preeclampsia and premature delivery. This is why it is important to talk to a doctor.
When Should I Worry About The Headaches?
Pregnancy headaches can be worrisome if they’re more severe than normal and don’t go away for a while. Also, if the symptom is accompanied by blurred vision and other changes in your field of vision it could be a sign of a more serious cause.
Similarly, pain related to increased blood pressure should also be carefully evaluated. Although strokes are rare during pregnancy, migraines can make a pregnant woman more likely to have this problem. Therefore, if you experience these symptoms you should schedule an appointment with your doctor.
Remedies For Pregnancy Headaches
These tips can help you avoid feeling this discomfort while you wait for your baby to be born. First of all, it is essential to eat regularly, and maintain a healthy diet. One suggestion that may help moms is to keep a diary and write down which foods are associated with their headaches.
Drinking plenty of water throughout the day can also prevent this problem. Without a doubt, smoking is a habit that should be avoided during pregnancy. But, in addition, it is recommended that you stay away from the smoke of other smokers.
During pregnancy, it is also recommended to pay attention to your levels of stress. If possible, do relaxing activities like massages and breathing techniques. You can put a cold compress on the back of your neck for 20 minutes to avoid headaches caused by muscle contraction.
One more recommendation that can help if you have a migraine is to rest in a quiet, dark, and cool room. There, you can close your eyes and put your feet up.
Moderate physical exercise, such as walking and doing yoga, also helps prevent headaches. Take care of the quality of your sleep, because the lack of rest can cause this discomfort. You can breathe deeply and meditate to reduce stress and relieve symptoms.
If the pain is caused by a stuffy nose, you can also use a humidifier to moisten the air. Another tip is to drink herbal teas to relieve nasal congestion. If necessary, one more option is to seek medical attention to evaluate the use of a nasal decongestant.
Finally, remember that, before taking any medication, it is recommended to discuss its use with a specialist. Take advantage of the opportunity and consult with a professional for the correct dose of the medicine.
Based on what has been presented, you have seen that hormonal changes contribute to the increased occurrence of pregnancy headaches. In addition, it is common for this problem to be caused by nasal congestion, or irregularities and sudden changes in nutrition.
Now you know what causes headaches during pregnancy, its causes and remedies. Take the opportunity to access our pregnancy calculator and learn more about what to expect at each stage of your pregnancy.
