Pregnancy is a wonderful process and every woman to be a mother undergoes many changes and one of the most common complaints is headache. Thus, pregnancy headaches can be of a different nature and can be severe, which can be a major issue. This post aims at discussing the possible causes of headaches during pregnancy, the normal and the migraine type, and ways of handling such a condition in the three trimesters of pregnancy.
What may Trigger A Headache During Pregnancy
Normal Headaches
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Hormonal Changes: Headaches during pregnancy are quite common and can be attributed to hormonal changes which are quite natural. The amount of hormone estrogen, progesterone, and blood volume rises during pregnancy time and they all lead to head ache. These headaches are characterized as throbbing and chronic.
- Morning Sickness: Vomiting that is common in early pregnancy causes dehydration and headaches, which are aggravated by morning sickness. The consequent head pain during pregnancy can be rather painful.
- Hunger and Low Blood Sugar: Malnutrition and low blood sugar levels are some of the reasons for headaches at this stage of pregnancy. Lack of food or hunger pains can be a cause of headache during pregnancy as well as during delivery.
Migraine Headaches
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Blood Vessel Expansion: Migraine in pregnant women is defined as throbbing pain which results from dilation of blood vessels in the brain. These migraine headaches are usually more severe and are usually associated with symptoms like nausea, sensitiveness to light, and changes in vision.
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Headache Due to Pregnancy: Headache during pregnancy is a bit difficult to treat because the pregnant woman cannot take certain medication. Knowing what should be avoided when one is experiencing a migraine is critical.
Solutions to Control Headaches
General Tips
- Avoid Trigger Foods: There are foods that are best avoided especially when one is experiencing headaches that are associated with pregnancy. Do not consume foods that are believed to trigger headache and foods containing monosodium glutamate to avoid complications during pregnancy.
- Limit Smoking Exposure: Direct smoking as well as passive smoking can worsen headaches. Therefore, pregnant women should cease smoking environments as a way of managing headache while pregnant properly.
- Stay Hydrated and Eat Well: Of course, one must remember to drink water and/or other fluids, as well as eat the right kinds of foods. One can avoid headaches by ensuring that they take balanced meals and drink a lot of water to avoid dehydration.
- Manage Stress: Pregnancy headaches have been noted to be triggered by stress. Use of relaxation measures like prenatal yoga and deep breathing to reduce stress in pregnancy and consequently eliminate headache.
Check out: Importance Of Folic Acid Tablets During Pregnancy
Strategies that can be Implemented Depending on the Trimester
- First Trimester Headaches: Some of the causes of headaches during early pregnancy are hormonal changes and morning sickness particularly in the first trimester of pregnancy. To manage such headaches, ensure that you take a lot of water, eat at the right time, and try to avoid stressing yourself.
- Second Trimester Headaches: While moving to the second trimester of pregnancy, the occurrence of headaches may reduce but they are not impossible. For headaches during the second trimester, the things that were done in the first trimester should also be continued while observing new causes.
- Pregnancy Headaches in Third Trimester: Thus, the third trimester and headaches can be associated with the increase in blood volume and physical changes. Third trimester headaches could be chronic sometimes. Stay on course with the drinking of water and stress reduction techniques and see your doctor if the headaches persist.
When to See a Doctor
In most cases, headaches during pregnancy are tolerable; however, there are some circumstances that warrant medical attention. Seek advice if:- Severe, Persistent Headaches: For severe headaches or the ones that are not effectively treated with the above methods, seek medical help.
- Accompanying Symptoms: Pregnancy headaches that include vision issues, increase in size of the body or having high blood pressure could be preeclampsia.
- Sudden Intense Headaches: Any severe headache during pregnancy or particularly in the third trimester, should be investigated.
Conclusion
Although it is difficult to deal with headaches during the early pregnancy stages, it is not impossible especially if the woman is able to implement the right measures. Thus, knowing the causes, applying appropriate measures, and tracking signs of the issue during each trimester, one can significantly reduce the pain that pregnancy headaches entail. It is highly advisable to seek medical advice if you have any questions or if you have severe symptoms.
