Headaches During Pregnancy: What's the Best Treatment?

The article was professionally consulted by Specialist Doctor I Pham Thi Yen - Obstetrician - Obstetrics and Gynecology - Vinmec Hai Phong International General Hospital.

One study found that up to 39% of pregnant women experience headaches during pregnancy and after giving birth. Although it is possible for a pregnant woman to experience a different type of headache during pregnancy, in most cases, headaches during pregnancy are not harmful.

The majority of headaches during pregnancy are primary headaches (that is, headaches that are not a sign or symptom of another disease or disorder), or are of the following types:
Tension headaches ( tension headache). A migraine headache. Cluster headache.

About 26% of headaches during pregnancy are tension headaches. Consult your doctor if you experience persistent headaches or migraine headaches during pregnancy (or have a history of migraine). Some women with a history of migraine experience fewer migraine attacks during pregnancy. Migraine has also been linked to complications that occur in late pregnancy or after delivery. Secondary headaches during pregnancy are caused by another medical condition, such as high blood pressure. Symptoms of headaches during pregnancy are very different, depending on each person, and can be:
Ambiguous pain. Pain with the beat. Severe pain in one half of the head or both sides. Sharp pain in one or both eyes. Migraine headaches may also include:
Nausea. Vomit. Seeing flashes of light or flashes. Blind spots appear.

Consult your doctor about your headache to get the right medication guide. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that pregnant women should not use aspirin and ibuprofen, because these pain relievers can be harmful to their health. fetal development, especially when the drug is used during the first trimester of pregnancy. In general, acetaminophen is relatively safe when used for pain relief in pregnant women, although some recent studies suggest that acetaminophen may also have certain effects.
Besides, to relieve headaches without medication, pregnant women can try the following methods:
Drink plenty of water every day. Increase rest. Apply with an ice pack. Use thermal paste. Relaxing massage. Exercise, stretching. Use natural essential oils, such as menthol, rosemary, or chamomile.

Headaches during pregnancy have many causes, and if properly treated, the headache will be resolved (instead of using conventional pain relievers).
During the first 3 months of pregnancy
Tension headaches are the most common cause of headaches in the first 3 months of pregnancy, because during this period a woman's body goes through many changes. The following changes may be the cause of headache onset:
Hormonal changes. Increase circulating volume. Weight change. Other common causes during the first trimester of pregnancy include:
Dehydration. Nausea and vomiting. Stress . Sleepless . Discontinue caffeine use (eg, pre-pregnancy people who regularly drank a lot of coffee). Lack of nutrition. Lower blood sugar levels. Too little physical activity. Sensitive to light. Vision change.

Certain foods can also cause headaches in some people, and if it's determined which food is to blame, avoid it. Foods that can cause headaches during pregnancy include:
Milk. Chocolate. Cheese. Yeast bloom. Tomato. During the second and third trimesters of pregnancy
Headaches in the second and third trimesters of pregnancy can be caused by many different causes, including:
Excessive weight gain. Postural headache. Sleep too little. Diet. Muscle tension and spasm. Hypertension . Diabetes. When a woman has a headache in the second and third trimesters of pregnancy, a woman should be careful because this can be a sign of high blood pressure. It is estimated that in the United States between 6% and 8% of pregnant women between the ages of 20 and 44 have high blood pressure. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that controllable hypertension, if ignored, can lead to serious complications for both the mother and the fetus, most commonly after the second week of pregnancy. 20 of pregnancy. Having high blood pressure during pregnancy increases the risk of:
Stroke. Preeclampsia . Eclampsia. Lack of oxygen for the fetus. Premature birth. Placenta abruption. The baby was born with low birth weight. Other causes of headaches during pregnancy
Other causes include bacterial infections and serious medical conditions:
Sinus infections. Lower blood pressure. Thrombosis. Stroke. Cardiovascular diseases. Encephalitis, brain - meninges.

In general, pregnant women should see a doctor when they have any unusual symptoms, not just headaches, to make sure everything is okay. Seek medical attention immediately if:
Fever. Nausea and vomiting a lot. Blurred vision. Persistent headache; frequent pain. Severe pain. Fainting. Convulsions.

To prevent or alleviate headaches during pregnancy without the use of medication, pregnant women should:
Avoid known causes of headache onset. Be physically active on a daily basis. Balance life, manage stress well. Practice relaxation techniques. Eat nutritious, balanced meals, drink enough water. Maintain adequate sleep time. Listen to your body and seek medical attention promptly when there are abnormal signs. At Vinmec International General Hospital, there is a package maternity service as a solution to help pregnant women feel secure because of the companionship of the medical team throughout the pregnancy. When choosing Maternity Package, pregnant women can:
The pregnancy process is monitored by a team of qualified doctors Regular check-up, early detection of abnormalities Maternity package helps to facilitate the process. birthing process Newborns get comprehensive care

Articles refer to sources: mayoclinic.org and healthline.com