Pregnancy is an exciting time of a woman’s life, but it can also be a scary period – especially if you’re experiencing some of the unpleasant symptoms associated with the changes going on inside.
If you’re reading this then the chances are, you’re pregnant and struggling with headaches, perhaps wondering if this is a normal part of pregnancy, or something you should seek medical advice for? At Hello Baby, we see lots of pregnant women who are struggling with the ups and downs of pregnancy, and headaches is often a common complaint!
Don’t worry – the first thing to know is that headaches are part and parcel of pregnancy for many women. In fact, they are one of the most highly experienced discomforts a pregnant woman will go through, and for the most part it is nothing serious.
During the first trimester and towards the end of your pregnancy you may find you experience more headaches than usual, but what’s the reason behind the headaches?
During early pregnancy you may struggle with more headaches than normal – and this can be due to a range of things, including:
- Change of hormones
- Increase in blood volume
- Stress
- Poor posture
- Changes in vision
Towards the end of your pregnancy, you may find that your headaches have come back, and this could be caused by:
- Reduced quality of sleep
- Low blood sugar
- Dehydration
- Withdrawal from caffeine or sugar
- Stress – carrying extra weight can cause physical stress on the body
Can you take headache medication during pregnancy?
As you probably know, most medications are strictly off limits when you’re pregnant as a lot of drugs can be harmful to the baby. However, there are some medications which are safe to take during pregnancy, although you should always contact your doctor or a pharmacist before taking anything during this time.
Other things you can do to treat a headache include:
- A warm compress under the eye area is good for a sinus headache
- Pregnancy massages can help relieve tension headaches
- Try resting in a calming, low-light room
- Have a warm bath
- Avoid caffeine
- Try some light stretching
What can you do to prevent headaches during pregnancy?
As with most things, it is usually easier to prevent headaches from occurring than it is to cure them once they hit. Luckily, there are some things you can do to help keep headaches at bay, including:
- Drinking more water
- Getting more sleep
- Gentle exercise
- Rest regularly
- Practice good posture
The take home message on headaches during pregnancy
Although growing a baby is an incredible experience, its no secret that there will be trying times throughout the pregnancy, and that’s totally normal. During your pregnancy, and particularly in those early weeks, unpleasant symptoms can cause unnecessary worry, which is why our early reassurance scans have become such a source of comfort to many women struggling with the difficulties of early pregnancy.
If you are worried about the severity of your headaches during pregnancy, we advise you seek medical advice from your doctor or midwife. However, if you’d just like a little pick me up to get you through those tougher moments, then booking in for one of our 3/4D baby scans could be the very thing you need.
For further information, get in touch with one of our team today.
