Headaches during pregnancy: Useful tips for pregnant women

Headaches during pregnancy are one of the most common maternal complaints. According to a study, statistics report that up to 39% of women have a similar condition. In some cases, headaches are not just a symptom that arises while pregnant, but can be a sign of other health problems during pregnancy. Let's learn about this with SignsSymptomsList!

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1. How many types of headaches are there?

Most headaches during pregnancy are primary headaches. This means that the headache occurs by itself. It is not a sign of another health problem.

Types of primary headaches include:

  • Tension headaches.
  • Migraine.
  • Periodic cluster headaches.

About 26 percent of headaches during pregnancy are caused by stress. Also, if you have a history of chronic, frequent headaches or migraines, you need to talk to your doctor about this. Some women with a history of migraines experience fewer recurrences during pregnancy. In addition, migraines can also be linked to some serious health conditions during pregnancy and after childbirth.

With secondary headaches, caused by some health problem. Mother is often seen in pre-eclampsia.

>>> See also: Preeclampsia: A threat to pregnant women and babies!

2. How does a headache during pregnancy manifest?

Headaches are common in the first 3 months of pregnancy. Experts believe that the cause is due to the mother's body needing to increase blood circulation to feed the baby and due to hormonal changes. Other possible causes include: Stress or anxiety, fatigue, nasal congestion, eye strain and inadequate nutrition.

This condition is often different from person to person. You may have feelings like:

  • Dull ache.
  • Sharp pain or pulsating feeling.
  • Severe pain on one or both sides.
  • Pain behind one or both eye sockets.

If you have migraines, you may have other symptoms along with them. Consists of:

  • Nausea and vomiting.
  • Seeing flashes or flashes of light through the eyes.
  • There is a blind spot when looking, it feels like there is a fly at eye level.

3. Some reasons

3.1 During the first trimester of pregnancy

Tension headaches are common during the first trimester of pregnancy.

This condition occurs because your body is in need of a lot of changes to be suitable for pregnancy. These changes include:

  • Hormonal changes.
  • Higher blood flow.
  • Weight change during pregnancy.

Headaches during pregnancy: Useful tips for pregnant women

Tension headaches are common during the first trimester of pregnancy.

In addition, the mother may also have headaches in the first three months of pregnancy due to other common causes such as:

  • Dehydration.
  • Nausea and vomiting.
  • Sleepless.
  • Inadequate nutrition during pregnancy.
  • Low blood sugar, hypoglycemia.
  • Too little physical activity.
  • Sudden change of vision.

3.2 During the second and third trimesters of pregnancy

Headaches during the second and third trimesters of pregnancy have many different causes, including:

  • Gain a lot of weight.
  • Sudden change of position.
  • Sleep too little.
  • Poor nutrition.
  • Fatigue due to muscle tension, ligament strain.
  • High Blood Pressure.
  • Gestational diabetes.

3.3 High blood pressure

In the second and third trimesters, headaches can be a sign that you have high blood pressure. According to statistics in the US, about 6-8% of pregnant women have high blood pressure during pregnancy.

Headaches during pregnancy: Useful tips for pregnant women

Headaches in the second and third trimesters of pregnancy can signal that your blood pressure is higher than normal.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) warns that if high blood pressure during pregnancy is not well controlled, it can cause serious complications for both mother and baby. High blood pressure in pregnancy, also known as preeclampsia, is most common after the 20th week of pregnancy.

If you are pregnant, high blood pressure can increase your risk of:

  • Stroke.
  • Eclampsia (complication of preeclampsia).
  • Low oxygen flow to the baby.
  • Increased rate of preterm birth, before 37 weeks.
  • Baby placenta.
  • Low birth weight of baby.

>>> See more: Placental abruption: Signs to recognize and information on how to handle?

4. How should mothers deal with headaches during pregnancy?

To prevent headaches, you should pay attention to what makes you most likely to cause headaches? Do you use stimulants (alcohol, coffee, etc.) Do you feel suffocated? Eyestrain when using computers, or electronic objects will also make you more prone to headaches!

Here are some suggestions for moms to reduce headaches. Please try to refer to:

4.1 Rest more

If you think headaches are caused by lack of sleep, you need to get more sleep at night. If you're tired during the day, give yourself a nap, or take a short nap.

Headaches during pregnancy: Useful tips for pregnant women

When you're pregnant, your body gets tired easily. Mother should rest more.

During the first months of pregnancy, the mother's body will be easily tired. Listen to your body and don't overdo it.

4.2 Drink enough water during the day

Drinking enough water is also a way to help prevent and reduce the frequency of headaches. Because a headache is one of the signs that the body is lacking in water. Even a headache is an early sign of thirst.

Headaches during pregnancy: Useful tips for pregnant women

Headaches are also an early sign of thirst.

Therefore, you should drink 8 glasses of water every day. In fact, water is also the source of energy for the mother. One ml of water corresponds to 1 kcal. Therefore, drinking enough water helps to reduce headaches and helps the body to be more energetic.

4.3 When a headache occurs

Try applying a warm compress or towel to your face, eyes, around your nose and temples. This will help relax your mind, and the headache will become more bearable.

In case the mother feels a headache due to stress, stress. Try applying an ice pack or cold washcloth to your forehead and back of your neck. This will also have a relaxing effect, and help you calm down.  

Headaches during pregnancy: Useful tips for pregnant women

Applying an ice pack or cold washcloth to your forehead and back of your neck helps relieve headaches.

Taking a warm bath is also a way to help mom relieve stress. However, you should avoid bathing in a warm bath during pregnancy. Because during pregnancy, your blood vessels will dilate with increased blood flow, your blood pressure will be lower than normal. When you take a long bath in a hot tub, your blood vessels dilate even more. You will feel more dizzy and uncomfortable.

To know more about bathing in a hot tub and what to avoid, please read more: 19 weeks pregnant: Some tips for moms

 When you have a headache, massaging your neck, shoulders, face and oily areas will help relieve the headache. You can give yourself a massage or ask a loved one for help.

5. When do you need to see a doctor?

See your doctor as soon as possible if your headache is severe, persistent, frequent, or is accompanied by blurred vision or vision changes. In case of fainting, convulsion, people around will need to help find an emergency at the nearest Obstetrics and Gynecology facility.

Headaches during pregnancy: Useful tips for pregnant women

See your doctor if your headache is severe, persistent, frequent, or is accompanied by blurred vision or vision changes.

Acetaminophen is a safe pain reliever for most women to use during pregnancy. However, if you use it in excess, it can cause liver problems such as elevated liver enzymes or worsen headaches.

If you have a migraine before and during pregnancy. This should also be discussed with your doctor. Because your doctor may advise you to avoid certain medications.  

6. Some important points

High blood pressure is a serious cause of headaches during pregnancy. You can have high blood pressure at any time during pregnancy. In addition, the mother may not be accompanied by any symptoms at all. So, if possible, you should check your blood pressure at least once a day with a home blood pressure monitor.

During your prenatal visit, let your doctor know if you have headaches at any time during your pregnancy. Also, if you have a personal or family history of migraines, high blood pressure, seizures, or diabetes, you should report it to your doctor early. This will help your doctor monitor your pregnancy more closely.

In addition, mothers are only allowed to use drugs prescribed by the doctor. In addition, you need to follow all advice on proper diet and exercise. In addition, regular antenatal check-ups will help the doctor better understand the problems that arise during pregnancy.

Although headaches are common and often cause mothers to complain. However, most of the causes of headaches during pregnancy are treatable or preventable with proper and proper care. More importantly, you need to report your complaints during pregnancy. This will help your doctor look at other more serious causes of a similar headache. 

Doctor Nguyen Trung Nghia


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