Headaches are common in pregnancy. They are more common in the first trimester (0 to 13 weeks) or third trimester (27 to 40 weeks). Headaches can be unpleasant for you but are not dangerous for your baby. They can be a sign that you need to get checked out by your GP, midwife or obstetrician. It's important to be aware of what to look out for. Headaches during pregnancy can be caused by: If you suffer from migraine headaches, you may find you get migraines more often or less often when you are pregnant.
Speak with your GP or pharmacist before taking your usual migraine medications. If you experience a headache, there are a few things you can try at home that may help: Some medicines, including painkillers, can harm your baby's health. Paracetamol is generally considered safe during pregnancy. Always check the packaging for the correct amount of tablets to take, and how often you may take them. If you find you need to take paracetamol for more than a couple of days, you may need to speak to your GP. Ibuprofen is sometimes recommended for headaches during pregnancy. You can only take this at certain times during your pregnancy. Always check with your GP, pharmacist or obstetrician before taking ibuprofen.
Check with your GP, pharmacist or midwife before taking any medication. Tell your doctor or midwife if you often have bad headaches. It could be a sign of a more serious problem.
Tiredness and fatigue in pregnancy Exercise during pregnancy
This project has received funding from the Government of Ireland’s Sláintecare Integration Fund 2019 under Grant Agreement Number 8. Pregnancy can be a headache — literally. (Maybe it's just nature's way of preparing you to be the mother of a teenager?) Alas, just as headaches get worse and more frequent for many pregnant women, the usual treatment options — such as most over-the-counter and prescription medications — are best avoided. But that doesn’t mean you should ignore an aching head, especially if you have regular tension headaches or migraines, or the pain is interfering with your sleep or appetite. There are other tactics, from diet tweaks to stress management, that offer sweet relief from headaches when you’re expecting. For help with that dull throbbing, here’s a look at the different types of headaches you might be experiencing, the common symptoms and ways to treat them. Here’s to a pain-free pregnancy! What are the different types of headaches?The headaches you’re suffering from while pregnant are just like the ones you can get at any other time, so it’s worth learning about some of the most common types. Here’s a short primer to help you figure out what kind of headache you might have:
What are symptoms of headaches during pregnancy?If you’ve had an aching head or migraine before you conceived, you probably know what a bad headache feels like. But it’s still a good idea to be on the lookout for the common symptoms of headaches during pregnancy, such as:
Migraine headaches, however, can come with worse symptoms, including:
Some women with migraines also experience light and sound sensitivity and they find that the pain worsens if they move or change positions. What causes headaches during pregnancy?The primary culprits are pregnancy hormones, though there are many other causes of headaches during every stage of pregnancy. This type of pain can have lots of triggers, which means it can come on at any time. Some common causes:
Other causes can include: On the bright side, at least for those already prone to migraines: Surging hormones during pregnancy might actually make those less-than-pleasant headaches less frequent. As for when pregnancy headaches will end, it depends on what's causing them in the first place. If the signs and symptoms of pregnancy itself — stress, fatigue, surging hormones, congestion — are a major cause, you will feel fast relief after delivery. But if you find that headaches are troubling you beyond pregnancy, make an appointment with your doctor to discuss treatment options if you haven’t already. What is the best treatment for headaches while pregnant?If you’re hoping to stop a headache naturally, there are plenty of pregnancy-safe steps you can take to battle (and maybe prevent) your symptoms based on the common headache types:
Can you prevent pregnancy headaches?While some headaches are probably unavoidable, a few steps now may help prevent them in the future. Check out these tips so you can potentially stop an oncoming headache dead in its tracks:
When to call the doctor about headaches during pregnancyMany women, even those who haven't previously experienced a lot of everyday headaches, will get them during pregnancy. The vast majority of pregnancy headaches are “primary” — meaning your head hurts, but there’s nothing serious or anything to worry about. But if your headaches persist for more than two or three hours or you have other symptoms (fever, visual disturbances, sudden dramatic weight gain or puffiness in your face or hands), let your practitioner know right away. In rare cases, so-called “secondary headaches” signal something else going on in your body, such as hypertension or risk factors for preeclampsia, and you’ll want to make sure you get both the headaches and the underlying conditions taken care of ASAP. Battling headaches during pregnancy can take some time and patience. But once you know what’s causing them and how to head off common triggers, your aching head should be a thing of the past.
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