If you are expecting Mom, there is one thing that you would certainly agree to, the journey is no less than a rollercoaster that brings a worldwide of changes affecting you at all levels, be it physical, emotional, mental and not to forget hormonal. 

Every other day, you get to experience a new set of symptoms, heartburn, indigestion, pain in the ribs, pelvic discomfort, and not to forget headaches. 

Getting a headache once in a while is usually considered to be normal, but when you are pregnant and experiencing these every other day, it does make you wonder if something is wrong.

If you have been experiencing the same problem and looking for answers, reading this blog might help clear your doubts to some extent. 

Let’s start with answering the most basic question

Are Headaches During Pregnancy Common?

As surprising as it may sound to some, the answer is yes, headaches during pregnancy are quite common, especially in the first (0-13 weeks) and third trimester (27-40 weeks)

While this might not be true for all pregnant women, in most cases there is a decrease in the frequency of headaches during the second trimester and then again an increase in the third. 

What is even more interesting is that there is no one particular reason behind these headaches and it could be due to varied reasons ranging from hormonal fluctuations to poor sleep cycle and more. 

Let’s try to understand better:

Common Causes Of Headache In Pregnancy Trimester-Wise

First trimester of pregnancy:

During the first trimester of pregnancy, there are two major culprits responsible for those frequent headaches - hormonal fluctuations, and increased blood volume. 

Second trimester of pregnancy:

As mentioned earlier, the frequency of headaches usually tends to decrease during the second trimester as this is the time when your body somewhat adjusts to the changes that start in the first trimester.  

Third trimester of pregnancy:

In the third trimester of pregnancy, headaches are often linked to completely different factors like lack of proper sleep, poor body posture, and high blood pressure. 

Now there are several other factors that can trigger headaches throughout your pregnancy, irrespective of the trimester of pregnancy. These include dehydration, stress, fatigue and low blood sugar. 

Women who couldn’t live without their daily dose of caffeine before pregnancy and had to give it up after they conceived, may also experience headaches due to caffeine withdrawal. A subtle reminder that your body is missing that cup of tea or  coffee. 

Types of Pregnancy Headaches 

While it is important to figure out the underlying cause of pregnancy headaches to manage them efficiently, it is equally important to understand their type, which varies depending on the symptoms. 

The most common type is tension headache, which presents as dull aching pain on both sides of the head. It may feel as if someone is trying to squeeze your head by exerting force from both sides. Tension headaches in pregnancy are often linked to stress, or strain in your shoulder, neck or eyes. 

Then comes a migraine headache. This involves only one side of the head and if you are experiencing it, you are quite likely to have other symptoms like nausea, and increased sensitivity to light. This is common in the first trimester and the severity may decrease as the pregnancy progresses, though not in all cases.

If we speak of cluster headaches, these are not very common during pregnancy. These are characterized by severe pain in the areas around the eyes and the temples. 

Sinus headaches are linked to nasal congestion which some women experience during pregnancy. If this is the type of headache you are experiencing, you are likely to have some kind of pressure around your cheeks, forehead and eyes. 

When Headache During Pregnancy Is Not Normal?

While headaches during pregnancy are usually linked to harmless underlying factors, it is always advisable to watch out for any unusual manifestation, which could mean something as serious as hypertension or preeclampsia. 

It is advisable to seek medical attention if

• You are experiencing severe headache that does not go away

• You are experiencing neurological symptoms like slurred speech, blurred vision, or confusion.

• You have explained, numbness in any part of your body, especially the limbs

• You are running high fever

• You have pain or stiffness in your neck

• You are having pain in your upper abdomen

• You are in your third trimester and your blood pressure is also on the higher side (in such cases it could be linked to pre-eclampsia)

Pregnancy Headaches & Pre-eclampsia

Before we try to understand the link between pregnancy, headaches, and pre-eclampsia, let us first try to understand what it actually means. 

Pre-eclampsia is a serious pregnancy complication marked by high maternal blood pressure and  increased levels of protein in urine, commonly seen after the 20th week of pregnancy. Expecting moms who are at the high risk of complications are required to monitor their blood pressure and watch out for any unusual symptom, including increase in the frequency of headaches, unexplained swelling in any part of the body, especially face or feet, sudden increase in weight and blurring of vision. 

The condition can prove to be fatal for the mother, as well as the baby, if not managed properly, hence, if your blood pressure tends to be on the higher side, or if you are at high risk of pre-eclampsia, headaches are not something you would want to take for granted. 

Recommended Blog:

Gestational Hypertension - Pregnancy-Induced Hypertension

How to Relieve Headaches During Pregnancy Naturally

While medication might help to relieve the headaches, these can only be taken after proper consultation with your obstetrician. That is the reason why many women choose to go all natural. So unless your pregnancy headaches are linked to some serious underlying condition, these can be managed by 

• Drinking plenty of water and staying hydrated. Remember to keep a water bottle with you at all times and keep sipping, from time to time.

• Eating frequent meals in smaller portions to make sure your blood sugar levels are always optimal and to avoid hunger induced headaches.

• Getting at least 7 to 8 hours of sleep every day. Try to keep a sleep schedule and practice relaxation techniques before going to bed. These help.

• Using an ice pack to gently compress your forehead and your shoulders. This can give instant relief from any tension or strain, especially in case of migraine headaches.

• Practising mindfulness and indulging in mild exercises and yoga to keep the blood flowing. Consult your doctor before trying any new posture.

• Limiting your screen time, whether you’re scrolling your phone, working on your laptop or watching your favourite series online, make sure your eyes are getting the rest they need.

• Keeping calm and avoiding unnecessary stress and triggers like loud sounds, strong smells and staying empty stomach. 

• Using a humidifier in case, your headache is linked to nasal congestion or sinus. You can easily get one online.

• Ensuring that your posture is right. Make sure that the position that you’re sitting, sleeping or standing in is comfortable and does not put additional strain on your spine, neck or shoulders. 

So, while pregnancy headaches are often normal, we cannot simply overlook them all the time, especially if these are accompanied by other symptoms. Your body could be telling you something isn’t quite right, and the best way to know is by informing your obstetrician.