Pregnancy is a complex process that brings with it different transformations, which are reflected in different ways. Physical symptoms of these transformations are headaches or migraines. Do you want to know what is involved in having headaches during pregnancy, their causes and how to alleviate them? We invite you to read on!
Throughout pregnancy it is normal for a person to experience discomfort, tension and pain of different kinds as a result of this complex process within the body, but it is inevitable to ask: does pregnancy cause headaches? Not exactly, but it is usual for tension and stress to produce headaches and migraines in pregnant women.
It is common to experience headaches during this period due to a mixture of hormonal factors, changes in blood circulation, and physical and emotional stress. Headaches tend to be more frequent during the first trimester. Why do headaches occur during pregnancy? The causes can vary from muscle tension to chronic pain, dehydration, insomnia, or even gestational hypertension.
Many women experience headaches in the first trimester of pregnancy. Such discomfort is usually mild to moderate and presents as a sensation of pressure or throbbing in the head area. In addition to hormonal changes, other factors are related to this, such as stress, fatigue, changes in sleep patterns and sleep quality, as well as fluctuation in blood sugar levels. Nausea and vomiting that are common during this period of time also trigger headaches. Although these are generally common, they can be bothersome and interfere with a person's quality of life.
Headaches in the third trimester of pregnancy can be intensified by the characteristics of the gestation period such as weight gain, pressure on the spine and neck and the permanence of hormonal changes.
The pain in this period, in turn, become more frequent and may occur with greater intensity, some symptoms of this kind are:
Headache affects not only pregnancy, but can lead to complications that extend even up to labor and delivery, but what takes away headache pain during pregnancy? How can it be relieved? Here are a series of tips and recommendations to treat it.
The techniques mentioned above help mitigate discomfort. Adequate and constant hydration, the application of compresses and rest with correct postures and a suitable environment for rest such as dark rooms with good ventilation.
With the exception of paracetamol, the use of medications for the purpose of attenuating headache pain and during pregnancy is not recommended. The use of paracetamol (acetaminophen) should be by means of small doses, caffeine is also suggested to be administered in this way.
Medications such as ibuprofen or aspirin are marketed under prescription, so they are not recommended to be used by pregnant or pregnant women without first consulting a physician. Opioid analgesics should be administered under the recommendation of a specialist since they can cause dependence in the mother and the baby. Finally, multiple medications can be harmful at an advanced stage of pregnancy, so the opinion and suggestion of a medical professional is recommended.
The reasons for waking up with a headache may be due to constant hormonal processes, increased stress in previous days, poor sleeping posture or sleep apnea. Also, nasal congestion, poor hydration and lack of rest contribute to the appearance of headaches, migraines and similar ailments.
To mitigate this problem, proper sleep hygiene is suggested, such as sleeping in a comfortable position, using extra pillows for support, avoiding foods or beverages with high sugar or preservative content.
So is headache during pregnancy normal? Although it can be challenging for many people, it is often related to pregnancy-related changes, increased stress and other physical and emotional factors associated with pregnancy. Although in most cases headaches do not represent a serious condition, it is essential to address them very carefully and quickly to ensure the well-being of mother and baby.
It is suggested to use non-pharmacological methods to relieve pain whenever possible, as well as maintaining good hydration, getting enough rest and practicing relaxation techniques are fundamental for the care of these discomforts without exposing oneself to major complications. However, it is important to contact a health professional if headaches are persistent, severe or accompanied by other worrisome symptoms.
If you are pregnant or experiencing any of these symptoms, you can schedule an appointment with our medical specialists.