Headache During Pregnancy: Types, Causes, And Remedies

A headache during pregnancy can occur at any time, especially in your first and third trimesters. These headaches are called primary headaches and are caused mainly by hormonal changes, and an increase in your blood volume during pregnancy. Primary headaches aren’t that bothersome and can be relieved using home remedies.

However, in some cases, you may also experience secondary headaches, which are characterised by a strong pounding sensation in your head. This condition is caused due to underlying pregnancy complications such as high blood pressure, preeclampsia, and stroke. 

In this post, we discuss more about the types of headaches experienced during pregnancy, their potential causes, and treatment methods. Keep reading to know more. 

Types of Headaches Experienced During Pregnancy

Occasional headaches during pregnancy are quite common, especially during your first trimester. However, they generally become a bit better as your pregnancy progresses. You may experience the following types of headaches during pregnancy.

• Tension headaches: This is one of the most common types of headaches that occurs due to stress. Its common symptoms include feeling hungry or experiencing pain in your neck and shoulders. This headache usually ranges from mild to moderate dull ache and rarely requires medical intervention.
• Sinus headaches: Pressure around your cheeks, eyes, and forehead, accompanied by a stuffy nose could indicate a sinus headache. It usually occurs due to a sinus infection and is sometimes confused with migraine headaches. If you have a sinus headache, you should avoid bending forward or lying down as that could worsen your pain. 
• Migraine: A migraine headache can cause moderate to severe pain and a throbbing sensation that lasts for hours or even days. In some cases, you may also experience nausea, numbness, light flashes, and blurred vision.
• Cluster headaches: These headaches are exactly what they sound like —headaches upon headaches that quickly get worse, lasting for days or even longer. The searing pain caused by this headache usually centres around one eye or affects one side of the head. The good news is that cluster headaches occur very rarely in women.
• Chronic headaches: If you are getting head pains on more than half of the days in any given month, then they could be considered chronic. A migraine is one such example of a chronic headache.

Symptoms of Headaches During Pregnancy

If you’ve had an aching head or a migraine before pregnancy, you probably already know what a bad headache feels like. But it’s still a good idea to be on the watch for the common symptoms of headaches during pregnancy.

• You might feel an occasional throbbing pain on one side or both sides of your head
• A dull aching sensation

Severe headaches like migraines can have worse symptoms like:

• Intense pounding in your head
• Severe pain on one side of your head
• Vomiting
• Nausea

Some women with migraine might also experience light and sound sensitivity, and they may find that the pain worsens if they move or change their position.

Causes of Headaches During Pregnancy

The primary causes of headaches during this time are fluctuating hormones, although, there could be many other causes of headaches during each stage of pregnancy. Check out more details about the common triggers of pregnancy headaches.

• Fluctuating hormones: Headaches are often considered an early sign of pregnancy that tend to begin during your first trimester when your hormone levels surge and blood volume increases.
• Sinus congestion: A headache might be triggered due to sinus congestion, runny nose, or allergies (conditions you are more susceptible to during pregnancy).
• Certain foods: Foods like processed meat, chocolates, cheese, and dairy can trigger a headache in any trimester. Additionally, if you have been drinking caffeine regularly before pregnancy, then you may experience some amount of headache after conception as a result of caffeine withdrawal.
• Dehydration: Dehydration often goes hand-in-hand with other symptoms like vomiting, nausea, and fatigue, which in turn can trigger a headache.
• High blood pressure: If you experience severe headaches after 20 weeks of pregnancy, then it could be due to high blood pressure. This may also raise the risk of other pregnancy complications like premature delivery or preeclampsia. Hence, consult your doctor if you notice this symptom.

Other causes of headaches during pregnancy include:

• Stress
• Fatigue
• Eye strain
• Low blood sugar levels
• Increased hunger
• Physical stress

Treatment of Headaches During Pregnancy

If you are hoping to manage your headaches naturally, there are plenty of pregnancy-safe remedial measures you can take based on your symptoms. 

• For migraines and tension headaches: Lie down in a dark, quiet room, and put an ice pack or cold compress on the back of your neck for about 20 minutes while you relax. Practice deep breathing exercises and meditation to channel calmness and reduce head pain.
• For sinus headaches: A stuffy nose is common during pregnancy, so try steam inhalation to reduce congestion. You can also consider adding a humidifier to your room to add moisture to the air. In addition to taking steam, apply hot and cold compress on the aching spots for a few seconds throughout the day. Also, drink a lot of fluids, such as herbal teas and soups to maintain hydration and reduce congestion.
• For all headaches: You can also consider getting a massage to soften your spinal tissues and relieve pain. However, make sure to consult trained practitioners who know which therapies are safe during pregnancy.

How to Prevent Headaches During Pregnancy?

While some headaches are unavoidable, a few measures can help you prevent them in the future. Check out these tips that can potentially prevent an oncoming headache.

• Do not skip your meals: Skipping meals could result in low blood sugar, which might trigger a headache. Try to keep healthy snacks handy and have smaller yet frequent meals throughout the day.
• Keep a food diary: record which foods are triggering your headache and then slowly curb them from your diet during pregnancy.
• Watch your posture: Prevent slouching or slumping while sitting and maintain a good posture by supporting your back with cushions and pillows. 
• Get some air: Avoid stuffy and hot places. Dress in light layers to prevent overheating, as it could lead to a headache. Try to get some fresh air couple of times a day, or at least keep your house well-ventilated. 

When to Call Your Doctor?

You should your healthcare provider immediately if your headaches

• Worsen over time
• Don’t reduce even after trying different remedies
• Change with posture
• Seem unusual
• Are accompanied by swelling in your hands and face, heartburn, and visual disturbances

You should also contact your doctor if you have a history of elevated blood pressure, pituitary disorders, or malignancy.

Conclusion

Headaches during pregnancy don’t cause any complications and may even get better as your pregnancy progresses. If you experience headaches during pregnancy, then you can try the remedial steps we discussed above, and also follow the preventive methods to prevent them in the future. If your headaches don’t resolve or seem unusual at any point, then consult your doctor right away for appropriate treatment and guidance. 

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