Headaches are a common pregnancy symptom during pregnancy, especially during the first and third trimester. They cause more of an inconvenience rather than any risk.
Why you suffer from headaches during pregnancy?
An increased number of headaches in the first trimester are attributed to the hormonal changes. It occurs mainly due to the rise in the level of pregnancy hormones and increase in blood volume of the mother’s body. High levels of stress, vision changes, and posture problems can also aggravate the headache.
Other reasons causing headaches could be dehydration, low level of blood sugar or hunger. You may also experience headaches due to lesser intake of caffeine, as the body might not adjust to the changes all of a sudden.
During the third trimester, headaches are mostly caused due to tension and poor posture. The mother might be worried about the well being of her baby, her weight gain and appearance, and lot many reasons. All this can cause stress which contributes to headache.
What can you do to reduce the headache?
Do not take pills to reduce the pain all the time. Go for safer alternatives to treat the problem. Here are a few tips to help you :
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Use a cold or warm compress: If you have a sinus headache, you can use a warm compress around your nose, eyes and forehead. To soothe a headache due to tension, you can apply cold compress around the back of neck.
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Rest: This is the most crucial element. Do not overexert or tire yourself out during pregnancy. Take adequate amount of rest every day. If headache troubles you, rest quietly for some time in a peaceful room.
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Diet: Do not keep your stomach empty. Eat a well balanced and nutritious meal so that the body does not suffer from low blood sugar or misses upon any important elements. Keep taking small meals throughout the day to maintain energy level.
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Do not take stress: Avoid stressful situations. Try practicing deep breathing and relaxation exercises in stressful situations.
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Exercise: Contact your doctor to know which exercises are safe for you. Thereafter practice a regular exercise schedule to keep your body fit. This can help reduce the trouble caused by migraines significantly.
When to contact the doctor
Headaches are a part of pregnancy and you cannot completely get over them. However, if the pain is very severe and does not go away even after any of the above mentioned tips, you must consider seeing your doctor. Also, it is important that you consult your doctor before taking any drugs to treat the pain, as many medications are not safe during pregnancy.
If the headache is accompanied with fever, nasal congestion, dental pain numbness, vision changes or drowsiness, it can point to a more serious situation. Apart from this, if the pain during 2nd or 3rd trimester is accompanied by weight gain, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain or you have fluctuating blood pressure, it could indicate pre-eclampsia, which is a rare disorder.