Headache in pregnancy is common, although usually not dangerous to he alth, it can be troublesome. It is not true that you have to bear it patiently. There are really effective and safe remedies for a headache in pregnancy and it is really worth taking advantage of them.

Headache in pregnancyis a problem faced by most pregnant women. So it is worth, even if you haven't had a headache so far, to find outeffective remedies for a headache in pregnancy .

Headache in pregnancy: causes

Noise, stress, fatigue, too little exercise in the fresh air, lack of sleep and excess sleep (especially in the second half of pregnancy), insufficient fluid intake and improper nutrition are the main culprits. Pains that appear at the beginning of pregnancy may be associated with hormonal changes. The increased production of estrogen and progesterone, essential for your little one's development, also causes tissue water to retain water. Then, imperceptible swellings appear, which also cover the brain tissue, and the nerve receptors located there react with pain to increased pressure. Fortunately, this is not dangerous for you or the fetus.

Before the pregnancy headache starts

First of all, slow down. There really are more important matters than the boss's moods, the color of wallpaper in a child's room or cleaning in the wardrobe. On a daily basis, you primarily need relaxation and 8-10 hours of sleep (an after-dinner nap will also do you good).

Remember about walks to oxygenate the body and regular meals, because hunger is manifested not only by sucking in the stomach, but also by a headache. Your diet should not lack rich sources of magnesium (buckwheat, wholemeal flour, pumpkin seeds, cocoa, dill, almonds, soybeans, bananas, muesli, sorrel, blackberries, white beans, beetroot), because the deficiency of this element often causes the so-called tension headache. He is dull and not very strong, but he can be persistent. It can last for weeks, with only short breaks. So it's better to prevent it.

Even slight dehydration can cause ailments, so don't forget to drink. It is worth remembering that not every drink is equally good. Coffee, tea or thick juices can additionally contribute to the loss of fluid from the body or hinder its absorption. Pure water, bottled, still, low in minerals (up to500 mg of elements per liter), so as not to overburden busy kidneys - your little tenant requires extra effort from them. It is worth choosing one that is recommended especially for pregnant women by the Institute of Mother and Child or the Children's He alth Center.

Don't forget to have a comfortable bed, as sometimes headaches come from the spine. The mattress should not be too hard, because on a stiff surface your bones and muscles are constantly tense and do not fully rest, nor too soft, because then you "collapse" and the load on the spine is uneven.

Important

Headache in pregnancy: when to consult a doctor?

Headache can be a symptom of hypertension, and this may signal pregnancy poisoning that is dangerous to your he alth. If you have a blood pressure monitor, have it checked regularly. When it exceeds the norm, i.e. 135/85 mmHg, contact your doctor as soon as possible. The obstetrician should decide what to do next. Without the apparatus, you can also recognize that the cause of your ailments is hypertension. The pain caused by them is usually troublesome, it attacks in the morning, in the back part of the head (occiput). Sometimes it is accompanied by ringing or tinnitus and excessive excitement.

Pregnant migraine

It happens that the doctor in charge of the pregnancy decides that the headache should be de alt with by another specialist. If you suffer from migraine and are under the care of a neurologist, he will now also help you fight your ailments. However, there is a good chance that you will forget about migraines as a result of hormonal changes during pregnancy. Although the mechanism of this phenomenon has not been fully understood, statistics confirm that typical migraine headaches (unilateral, pulsating, acute) during pregnancy occur much less frequently than outside of it. It is best to discuss pregnancy treatment with a neurologist before conception. Many preparations (both taken on an ad hoc basis and on a permanent basis) for the treatment of migraine are contraindicated for pregnant women. The headache can be caused by infections of the upper respiratory tract (especially the sinuses) and even poorly chosen glasses. Therefore, do not be surprised when your gynecologist recommends a consultation with an ENT or ophthalmologist.

Safe remedies for a headache in pregnancy

However, if you get such an "ordinary" headache, try proven, safe methods.

  • Take a warm (not hot) bath. Water relaxes, relaxes and calms down. Try not to stay in the bathtub for more than a quarter of an hour.
  • Rest in a darkened (well aired) room. It is important that there is complete silence in it.
  • Put a cool compress on your forehead. You can also put your feet in a bowl of warm water and rub your temples with ice.
  • It helps sometimesgentle massage: massage the face with circular movements of the headache, starting with the forehead and ending with the temple. Then go to the nape of the neck and massage it towards the shoulders. Best of all, ask someone to do it.
  • If you suspect that the pain may be caused by stress on your spine, try this exercise to relieve muscle tension: sit back and tilt your head to the left, towards your shoulder. Count to 6. Do the same the other way. Turn your head to the side. Count to 6 again. Return to the starting position. Repeat by turning your head to the other side.

Although during pregnancy there is a rule: no drugs without the consent of a doctor, really nothing bad will happen if you swallow one tablet (but not more) of paracetamol on an ad hoc basis. It is a measure that is considered safe during pregnancy. For future reference, talk to your doctor about dosing your painkillers in case your head teases again.

You must do it

Contact your doctor immediately when the pain is unusually severe, such as you haven't had before, and it is accompanied by:

  • nausea and vomiting, you feel faint (faint), especially if the above symptoms appear, e.g. after a blow to the head (there is a probability of subarachnoid hemorrhage or intracerebral hematoma)
  • fever above 38 ° C (it may be, for example, a urinary tract infection)
  • dizziness and increased fatigue
  • swelling of the face or hands
  • visual disturbance
  • neck stiffness
  • inertia of arms and legs, convulsions.

Also check with your doctor if you happen to lose consciousness for unclear reasons, have a headache in the morning when you wake up, or pain wakes you up at night.

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Pregnancy