Managing Headache During Pregnancy

One of the common phases people, especially of women, is headache during pregnancy. Considered as a common complaint during pregnancy, specifically during the first and third trimesters, doctors say it is rarely a signal of a serious problem. During pregnancy, experts say that the possible cause of headache during this time is quite uncertain.

In the first trimester, headaches occur because of hormone changes you experience while in the third trimester, headaches are felt because of your having to carry additional weight and changes in your usual posture.

Aside from these, experts suspect that eating cold foods, added caffeine intake, sleeplessness, general fatigue, sinus congestion, allergies, eyestrain, stress, depression, hunger, and even dehydration.

The most common form of headache experienced during pregnancy is migraine that occurs when the blood vessels in the brain constrict and dilate. Experts say that about one in every five women experience migraine headache at least once in their lifetime and about 15 percent of them get migraines for the first time when become pregnant.

Most pregnant women agree that migraine is characterized by severe throbbing pain in the head and is accompanied by vomiting and dizziness. Although headache during pregnancy is normal, you don't have to endure it if you cannot really tolerate the throbbing sensation. The most common practice in relieving headache during pregnancy is by taking in pain medications.

Doctors say that acetaminophen is safe to take in as long as proper dosage is administered. But, aside from acetaminophen, painkillers like aspirin, ibuprofen, and most prescription headache medicines are restricted to women who are pregnant. Make sure that you consult your physician first what are the safest medications you can take in if you can no longer tolerate the pain.

Aside from taking in prescription medication, here are some other ways to relieve headache your experience during pregnancy:

1. Find out what are the possible causes that trigger the throbbing pain. Stress is actually one of the most common factors that triggers headache during pregnancy. What you can do is to recognize what are the things that stress you out and find a way to avoid them. Aside from identifying and accepting the reasons why are you stressed out, you can also minimize stress by eating regularly and drinking plenty of liquids. You should also rest and exercise whenever you can.

Aside from resting, try indulging to relaxing activities such as by meditation, listening to music, or writing. Also avoid taking in or eating products that may cause headache such as alcohol, foods has MSG, artificial sweeteners, aged cheese and cultured dairy products and the like. If possible, try to stay away from people who are stressful and always keep the communication lines between you and your partner open.

2. Try using compresses to relieve the pain. Apply a warm or cool compress to your forehead or the base of your neck can indeed do wonders for migraines.

3. If possible, take a shower as often as you can. Since cold showers help constrict dilated blood vessels in the body, it is a simple and easy remedy for headaches. If it's not possible to take a shower, make sure that you can splash cool water on your face to relieve the pain.

4. Indulge into a relaxing and soothing massage. A full-body massage administered by a trained therapist can do wonders in untangling the knots of pain in your head during pregnancy. Ask him/her to concentrate on the neck, shoulder, and back muscles to relieve the stress.

5. Make sure you don't get hungry or thirsty. Low blood sugar usually causes headaches. Make sure that you have enough sugar to keep you going. Aside from taking in foods, supply yourself with lots of liquid, especially water to keep you well-hydrated.