Headaches during pregnancy are common, especially in the 1st trimester, and may happen due to hormonal changes, increased blood flow, fatigue, stress, hunger, low blood sugar, or nasal congestion. They may cause throbbing pain, pain behind the eyes, sensitivity to light, nausea, or vomiting.
In many cases, headaches during pregnancy improve with rest, drinking water, eating a light meal, using cold or warm compresses, gentle massage, light exercise, or acupuncture. Medication should only be used with guidance from an obstetrician, as some medicines may not be safe during pregnancy.
Headaches during pregnancy can also be a sign of a more serious problem, especially in the 2nd or 3rd trimester. A constant or sudden severe headache with stomach pain, blurred vision, swelling, fever, fainting, seizures, or less urination may be related to preeclampsia or eclampsia and should be evaluated right away.
Symptoms of headaches during pregnancy
The main symptoms of headaches during pregnancy are:
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Throbbing or pulsating pain;
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Severe pain on one or both sides of the head;
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Pain behind the eyes;
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Increased sensitivity to light;
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Nausea or vomiting.
Headaches are very common in early pregnancy, mainly because of normal hormonal changes and increased blood flow in the body. They usually improve as pregnancy progresses.
Are headaches during pregnancy dangerous?
Headaches during pregnancy, especially in the first trimester, are common and do not pose a risk to the baby.
However, in the 2nd or 3rd trimester, headaches during pregnancy may be a symptom of preeclampsia. This is a serious and dangerous complication that requires immediate medical attention.
Main causes
The main causes of headaches during pregnancy are:
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Normal hormonal changes during pregnancy;
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Excessive stress or fatigue;
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Poor nutrition;
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Morning sickness, hyperemesis gravidarum, or dehydration;
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Poor sleep quality or not getting enough sleep;
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Sinusitis or nasal congestion;
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Hunger or low blood sugar levels;
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Sedentary lifestyle;
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Caffeine withdrawal.
These causes are more common in the first trimester of pregnancy. In the second or third trimester, headaches may be caused by high blood pressure, gestational diabetes, or excessive weight gain.
For this reason, it is important to receive prenatal care from an obstetrician so the cause of the headache can be identified. When high blood pressure is the cause, there is an increased risk of preeclampsia, eclampsia, stroke, premature birth, placental abruption, or low birth weight.
How to relieve headaches naturally
Before using any medication to relieve a headache, pregnant women should choose natural options such as:
1. Rest
Rest is a good way to relieve headaches, especially when they are caused by excessive fatigue, stress, or poor sleep, for example.
It is recommended to rest in a quiet, well-ventilated place, away from noise and with the lights off.
2. Drink plenty of water
Drinking plenty of water helps keep the body hydrated and may relieve headaches, especially when they are caused by morning sickness or hyperemesis gravidarum, which can lead to dehydration.
3. Apply a cold compress
Applying a cold compress to the forehead or the back of the neck may help relieve a headache. This can help narrow the blood vessels and reduce pain.
4. Apply a warm compress
Applying a warm compress around the eyes and nose may help relieve headaches caused by nasal congestion or sinusitis, for example.
Another way to relieve headaches in these cases is to rinse the nose with saline solution. This helps clear mucus from the nose and sinuses, which may ease the headache.
5. Massage the forehead
Gently massaging the forehead, the bridge of the nose, and the back of the neck with the fingertips may help relieve muscle tension and ease the headache.
6. Do a foot soak
Doing a foot soak with marbles, by placing the feet in the water and moving them over the marbles, may help promote relaxation and relieve tension or stress, easing the pain.
7. Eat light meals
Eating small, light meals every 3 hours may help. It is best to choose dry, easy-to-digest foods, such as sautéed vegetables, white meats, fresh fruit, or whole-grain bread, for example.
Fried foods, fatty foods, spicy foods, and heavily seasoned foods should be avoided.
8. Do light exercise
Light exercise, such as walking or stretching, helps reduce stress and improve blood circulation, which may help relieve headaches.
9. Acupuncture
Acupuncture may also be a natural option to help relieve constant headaches during pregnancy or nausea and vomiting during pregnancy. It should be performed by a professional experienced in this type of therapy.
Medications to relieve headaches
The use of medication during pregnancy should only be done under the guidance of an obstetrician, since some medications may be harmful to the pregnant woman or the baby.
Usually, the obstetrician only recommends medication when the headache is very intense, does not improve with natural measures, or is accompanied by other symptoms such as nausea and vomiting, for example. In most cases, acetaminophen may be recommended.
When to see a doctor
Although headaches are very common during pregnancy because of hormonal changes, it is important to always consult the obstetrician.
Emergency care should be sought if the headache is accompanied by other symptoms, such as:
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Frequent headache or headache that lasts a long time;
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Severe headache or headache that appears suddenly;
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Pain in the stomach or abdomen;
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Nausea or vomiting;
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Fever;
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Blurred or cloudy vision;
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Swelling and rapid weight gain;
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Decreased amount of urine and decreased urge to urinate;
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Fainting;
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Seizures.
These symptoms may be a sign of a health problem that can harm the pregnancy, such as preeclampsia or eclampsia.