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Headaches and Migraines
Whether someone gets headaches or migraines during pregnancy depends on the person. More commonly, women get fewer headaches than before they were pregnant; however, some do get more and feel them more strongly. Some women who've never had migraines before get them for the first time when they're pregnant. (Migraines are severe headaches that can cause painful throbbing on one side of the head, nausea, or vomiting. They are often made worse by light and noise.) Headaches are most common in the first trimester. They can be brought about by stress and fatigue, and may be your body's way of telling you to slow down.
These techniques can help you avoid getting a headache in the first place:
- Avoid foods that trigger headaches such as: MSG, red wine, cured meats, strong cheeses
- Keep your blood sugar constant
- Stand up slowly
- Get enough fresh air and outside time
- Exercise
- Get enough sleep (easy to advise, hard to do when you're pregnant)
If you do have a headache, some natural remedies may give relief. Dr. Sears and others recommend:
- Massage: Head and body massages can help reduce stress and headache pain.
- Meditation: Sitting comfortably in a quiet place and clearing your head of worries and thoughts can make your head feel better. Zen practitioner Cheri Huber, author of "Time Out For Parents," has a good meditation trick: focus on your breathing and count out one with the first breathe, two with the second, up to ten (then start again).
- Sinus flush: Use neti pot to do sinus irrigation or try a facial steamer to get rid of the congestion that may be causing you to have a headache.
- Checking with your doctor before using migraine medication or other pain relief: Many medications are not safe during pregnancy, so you should discuss a migraine management plan with your health care provider before becoming pregnant. Some safe medications include: Tylenol (acetaminophen); B blockers (propranolol);calcium channel blockers; and sumatriptan.
Be sure to check with your doctor before you take any medication.
Learn more about safe pain medication options.
Safety Note:
If you find yourself in severe pain, consult your doctor. Your headache may be a sign of something more serious like gestational diabetes or preeclamsia (pregnancy-induced high blood pressure).
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