Pregnancy Headaches

Pregnancy headaches seem to be more common. Most of the time they are not serious at all, they can be taken care of in a safe way.

What Are the Common Causes of Pregnancy Headaches?

Pregnancy headaches seem to occur more often in the first trimester, and sometimes this is a woman’s first experience with a headache. Pregnant women may also experience other types of headaches such as cluster headaches, sinus headaches, or headaches caused by other rare problems. If you are unsure about a headache, it is important to see your OB care provider to get an accurate diagnosis.

Common causes of pregnancy headaches to consider are:

• There are many changes in hormones that occur early in pregnancy. Increasing levels of estrogen and hCG can contribute to headaches early in pregnancy. Sometimes if women have had headaches on the Birth Control pill, they experience headaches the first few months of pregnancy. Hormone levels rise dramatically in early pregnancy.
• Not getting enough rest can be a contributing factor to headaches. Drinking warm milk before bedtime and playing peaceful music can help you relax and sleep more easily.
• Many changes in your blood circulation occur in pregnancy. By mid pregnancy you have 40-60 % more fluid in your body than when you aren’t pregnant. This can cause increase pressure on your bodies blood vessels, and requires the intake of more fluids. Not drinking enough water can lead to dehydration, and thus the suggestion to drink at least 8 glasses of water a day.
• Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) is related to needing more protein in your body, and appropriate sugar.
• Stress and anxiety from upcoming family changes, or concerns about the pregnancy can cause some women develop stress headaches. This is also a time when they might worry about finances and other issues that come up in pregnancy. A good solution for this is taking time to relax and be peaceful every day.
• Some women notice Caffeine or sugar withdrawal if they cut back on their coffee, chocolate, sodas or sugar intake while pregnant. The way to avoid this is to taper off gradually from these things rather than suddenly.

What Are the Various Types of Pregnancy Headaches?

Tension Headaches

Tension headaches are the most common type of headache. They are often described as a squeezing pain on both sides of the head. They most often caused by lack of sleep, depression, or caffeine withdrawal. Changes in pregnancy hormones may also cause tension headaches. Making an effort to relax, exercising regularly and getting enough sleep will often reduce the number of headaches. If headaches occur, try treating them with extra rest, a shoulder massage, or a warm washcloth placed on face. Tylenol is usually considered safe and may be used to treat headaches that do not improve with other measures.

Migraine Headaches

About 18% of women experience migraine headaches at some time in their lives. Migraine headaches cause a severe throbbing pain on one (or occasionally both) sides of the head. The exact cause of migraines is not known, but it is thought that they result from changes in blood flow in the brain. Migraines may occur with other symptoms, such as nausea and sensitivity to light or loud noises. Some people experience an “aura” a few minutes before a migraine attack. During the aura, the person may have problems seeing normally (such as seeing lines or flashing lights), speech problems, or a tingling sensation in their hands or face.

Migraine headaches usually occur less frequently in pregnancy, especially after the first trimester. Some women find that their migraine headaches worsen or stay the same while they are pregnant. Some people are able to reduce the number of migraine attacks by avoiding common triggers and getting the right amount of sleep. If you need medication for migraine headaches while you are pregnant or nursing, discuss the use of prescription pain medication with your OB health care provider. Some drugs normally used for migraine headaches are not recommended in pregnancy, so your provider might have other recommendations.

High Blood Pressure in Pregnancy, or PIH

A severe headache in the second or third trimester of pregnancy can be a warning sign of high blood pressure in pregnancy which is also called Pregnancy Induced Hypertension (PIH) or Preeclampsia. This is a rare condition that affects about five to ten percent of pregnancies. Headaches caused by PIH are persistent and throbbing, and women might experience blurry vision or seeing spots, sudden weight gain of excessive fluids, seen in increased swelling in the hands and face, and sometimes pain in the upper right abdomen. If you have any of these symptoms, or if you get a headache that is different than normal, call your OB health provider immediately.

What Are Safe Things I Can Do to Help my Headaches?

• Figure out what's triggering the pain

Keep a "headache diary" to help identify specific triggers. Write down anything you've eaten in the 24 hours preceding the onset of a migraine and what you were doing when it started. Some common migraine triggers include foods that contain monosodium glutamate (MSG), nitrites (common in processed meats like hot dogs, salami, and bacon), sulfites (used as a preservative for salads and also found in many dried fruits), artificial sweeteners, certain beans and nuts, aged cheese and cultured dairy products (like buttermilk yogurt and sour cream), certain fresh fruits (bananas, papayas, avocados, and citrus), smoked fish, chocolate and carob, things that are fermented or pickled (like soy sauce or sauerkraut or breads with fresh yeast) glaring or flickering lights, loud noises, excessive heat or cold, strong odors, Alcohol and tobacco smoke.

• Use compresses

For tension headaches, apply a warm or cool compress to your forehead or the base of your neck. Cold compresses tend to work best for migraines.

• Take a shower

A simple but effective remedy for some migraines, a cold shower works by constricting the dilated blood vessels, often bringing fast, if brief, relief. If you can't take a shower, splash some cool water on your face. A warm shower or bath can be soothing for tension headaches.

• Get a massage

If you have the time and money, by all means get a full-body massage from a trained therapist. Ask your partner to rub your back and head, or slip into a salon for a professional shampoo. Massage works especially well on headaches caused by tension that builds in the neck, shoulder, and back muscles.

• Eat frequent small snacks

Eating smaller, more frequent meals with protein help to keep your blood sugar more stable. Drink plenty of water to stay well hydrated as well. Sip water slowly if you have a migraine and have vomited.

• Avoid fatigue

Try to make room for naps in your day. If you're having a migraine, try to sleep it off in a quiet, dark room, and play peaceful music.

• Get regular exercise

Some evidence shows that regular exercise can reduce the frequency and severity of migraines and reduce the stress that can cause tension headaches. But get started slowly, since a sudden burst of activity could trigger a migraine.

• Try relaxation techniques

Meditation, yoga, and biofeedback are helpful in reducing stress and headaches in some sufferers.

• Consider acupuncture

Needle acupuncture treatment is considered safe during pregnancy and may be effective for headaches, according to the National Institutes of Health. Ask your healthcare provider for the names of.

When Should I Call My OB Provider?

• You are in your second or third trimester and have a bad headache or a headache for the first time (which may or may not be accompanied by visual changes, sharp upper abdominal pain, sudden weight gain, or swelling in your hands or face). You'll need your blood pressure and urine checked right away to be sure you don't have Pregnancy Induced Hypertension (PIH)
• You have a sudden "explosive" headache, violent pain that awakens you from sleep, a headache that doesn't go away, or one that feels unlike any you've ever experienced before.
• Your headache is accompanied by a fever and a stiff neck.
• Your headache is getting worse, and you experience any other problems such as blurry vision or other visual disturbances, slurred speech, drowsiness, numbness, or a change in normal sensation or alertness.
• You have a headache after falling and hitting your head (or after any other kind of head injury).
• You have nasal congestion, and pain and pressure underneath your eyes or other facial or even dental pain. You might have a sinus infection that will need to be treated with antibiotics.

Even if you've had headaches before, talk about your pregnancy headaches with your healthcare provider so she can decide what kind of evaluation and treatment might be best for you during your pregnancy. If you feel like your eyes are straining and notice that you get headaches after reading or looking at a computer screen, have your vision checked by an eye doctor. Finally, don't hesitate to call whenever a headache just has you worried.