Headaches are a common complaint during pregnancy. Most women will experience some headaches at some point when they are pregnant. They are most common in the first and third trimesters of pregnancy. If headaches become severe, talk to your doctor about how you can treat them.
If you had migraines prior to becoming pregnant, they may or may not be a problem during your pregnancy. For some women, migraines become less frequent or even disappear. Others continue to suffer from them.
During the first trimester, headaches are often caused by hormonal changes in your body. Your blood volume also increases in the first trimester. This increase can contribute to headaches. Another factor affecting headaches in early pregnancy can be stress.
In the last trimester, headaches may return. These can also be due to hormonal changes. Poor posture is another factor that contributes to headaches in late pregnancy. This can be caused by the changes in your body. Your center of gravity shifts, which affects your posture.
When treating headaches, it can be helpful to identify the cause of the pain. If you have stress headaches, there are a few non medicinal remedies you can try to feel better. Cold compresses may help relieve the pain. If light bothers you, try to lie down in a dark room with a cold compress on the back of the neck.
Certain foods may trigger headaches in some women. Pay attention to your diet to identify what is triggering the pain. There are some common triggers, such as chocolate, caffeine and spicy foods. These foods don’t affect all women. If you notice you get headaches after eating certain foods, try cutting them out of your diet.
Talk to your doctor before taking any medication for your headaches. Some medications are not safe for use in pregnancy. In general, acetaminophen can be taken. This is found in Tylenol. Other medications, such as ibuprofen are not considered safe. Ask your doctor before taking any prescription or over the counter remedy.