What to do if headache often occurs during pregnancy? Headache during pregnancy - what to do. What is the reason for headaches during pregnancy and how to get rid of them without harm to the fetus

11.09.2019

In pregnant women, headaches occur due to hormonal changes in the body, osteochondrosis, lack of sleep and constant stressful situations. Cephalalgia does not affect the development of the fetus, but worsens the woman's well-being, lowers her mood and causes depression. Painkillers are contraindicated for the expectant mother, therefore, unpleasant symptoms are removed with home methods and folk remedies.

Diet for pain

With frequent migraines that last for hours, a pregnant woman is advised to reconsider the diet. Discomfort can arise from certain foods:

avocado pulp;
bananas;
dark chocolate and strong coffee;
hard and processed cheeses;
citrus fruits;
beef, chicken and pork liver;
Chinese dishes;
black tea.

Headaches are caused by strict diets. Medical and cleansing fasting is prohibited for pregnant women. The mom-to-be maintains a healthy weight with a healthy diet and low-calorie meals. They eat three times a day, and if they feel hungry, they snack on sandwiches or yoghurts.

Smoked and fried foods reduce vascular tone and cause headaches. They increase cholesterol levels, lead to oxygen starvation and spasms. Pregnant women who often have migraines are advised to remove sausages and canned food, as well as semi-finished products from the diet. Sausages and hamburgers contain many synthetic additives that interfere with blood circulation in the brain.

The well-being of the expectant mother will improve if she switches to vegetables, lean meat and fish, fruits and cereals, and dairy products. A balanced diet protects against fatigue, vitamin deficiency, salt deposits in the cervical spine and physical exhaustion.

Stress and homework

Modern women, even during pregnancy, try not to stay at home. They prepare reports, give lectures and conduct seminars up to 7–8 months. And then they rush home to cook dinner, wash their husband's shirts and wash the floors.

Headache is one of the first symptoms of overwork. The body warns the pregnant woman to slow down and rest. Give up another project, buy a package of dumplings for my husband and spend free time on the couch.

Expectant mothers who sit at the computer for a long time are advised to do eye and neck exercises every 30 minutes. Rotate your head and tilt it in different directions, stretch your chin to your chest, and the back of your head to your shoulders. A light warm-up restores blood circulation in the vessels located in the cervical region and protects against osteochondrosis. Eye exercise prevents pressure build-up in headaches due to fatigue.

In the second or third trimester, pregnant women have trouble sleeping due to a grown belly and an active baby who moves even at night. The woman suffers from chronic fatigue syndrome and throbbing or constricting pains in the back of the head and temples. In order for the migraine to disappear or bother less often, the expectant mother is recommended to sleep 2-3 hours a day, use a special supportive pillow and choose comfortable postures.

It is also useful to walk a lot in the fresh air. Oxygen invigorates, promotes the expansion of blood vessels located in the brain and cervical spine, and removes the effects of stress and insomnia. If physical activity is contraindicated for a pregnant woman, she can sit by an open window or sunbathe on the balcony.

Massage and compress

Attacks of cephalalgia caused by overwork, vegetative dystonia or pressure surges are removed with contrasting lotions. You will need a few handkerchiefs or pieces of fabric. One rag is soaked in cold tap water or filled with ice. You can use a bag of frozen vegetables or a piece of meat. A cold compress is pressed to the temples if the pain is localized in the front of the head. A bandage soaked in ice water is placed over the forehead and eyes. Frozen vegetables reduce the sensitivity of nerve endings, and a handkerchief protects the eyes from bright sunlight, which irritates receptors and increases discomfort.

Warm lotions are applied to the back of the head for headache. A handkerchief soaked in hot water, a boiled egg or a compress of crushed potatoes in a uniform will do. Due to the high temperatures, blood rushes to the neck and shoulders, and the discomfort is reduced.

Instead of compresses, a spoon is applied to the maxillary sinuses and earlobes. The cutlery is dipped in hot tea or water and allowed to warm up. After the procedure, you can dip your fingertips into warm liquid to relax and relieve spasms.

If a migraine catches a pregnant woman in an office or a shopping center, the woman can go to the toilet and put her neck under a thin stream of warm water. In this position, she spends 5 to 15 minutes until the pain goes away. After water procedures, you can not suddenly go out into the street, so as not to catch a cold on the nerve endings.

Frequent migraine attacks are treated with massage. The woman independently kneads the shoulder and neck, presses with the middle or index finger on the cavity between the spine and the back of the head. A mother-to-be may ask her husband to massage her feet for 10-15 minutes. Trigger points are located in the legs. When stimulated, spasms in the brain are reduced, and cephalalgia recedes.

The massage is carried out with base and essential oils. Olive, linseed, apricot or coconut are used as a base. Add cardamom, grapefruit or chamomile. If a pregnant woman is allergic, citrus essential oil is not used so as not to aggravate the headache.

The mixture is applied to the shoulders and neck, gently rubbed into the muscles. The oil can be used to treat the temples, the area between the eyebrows and the bridge of the nose, as well as the occipital cavity. The tool soothes and relaxes, helps in stressful situations.

Pregnant women who are often bothered by migraines are advised to prepare a medicated pendant. Sew a small bag out of thick fabric and hang it around your neck. Put a cotton swab soaked in chamomile or cardamom essential oil inside.

For women prone to hypotension and headaches, trigger point massage will help. It is located between the thumb and forefinger. When pressure is applied to the correct area, pain occurs. First, the pregnant woman kneads the point on her right hand, and after 5-10 minutes she switches to the left palm.

Relaxing atmosphere

The throbbing or dull pain is removed with a contrast shower. The procedure restores blood circulation and normalizes blood pressure, relieves unpleasant symptoms. Instead of a contrast shower, it is also helpful to take warm baths with essential oils.

Cephalalgia disappears after shampooing. It is not necessary to use shampoo, you can simply wet your hair and massage the skin with light movements for 5-10 minutes. The fingers will disperse the blood and relieve the pressure in the brain.

Draw the curtains so that the room is plunged into semi-darkness.
Play calm music or wildlife sounds.
Open windows and let fresh air into the room.

If a pregnant woman lives in a metropolis, where cars are constantly noisy, and the neighbors do not finish repairs in any way, they replace the music with earplugs. The plugs will protect against loud extraneous sounds that only increase the headache.

The mother-to-be lies down on the bed or sits on the floor and closes her eyes. She imagines that her body is becoming weightless. A feeling of lightness arises in the stomach, which rises to the chest, neck and head. It fills the skull and displaces pain.

Meditation in a darkened room relieves migraines caused by stress and strong emotional turmoil. Help with problems with blood pressure and vascular dystonia. The main thing is that the pregnant woman should not be disturbed by family members and pets during relaxation. She must fully focus on her sensations.

You can light an aroma lamp in the room. Essential oils have relaxing and analgesic properties:

juniper;
roses;
lemon balm;
ylang-ylang;
mint;
rosemary;
lavender;
lemongrass.

Only 2-3 drops of the component are added to the lamp. You can replace it with incense sticks or candles, if they do not cause an allergy attack in a pregnant woman and an aggravation of migraines.

Water for cephalalgia

In the early stages, when the expectant mother is tormented by toxicosis and nausea, headaches occur due to a lack of fluid in the body. The blood thickens, the oxygen concentration decreases, hypoxia develops. The problem is accompanied by dizziness, vomiting, lethargy and drowsiness. Migraine and accompanying symptoms will disappear if the pregnant woman drinks 0.5-1 liters of distilled water in small sips. You can tie a scarf tightly around your head or put on an iron hoop that will squeeze the temples and the back of the head.

Uncomfortable sensations appear due to changes in hormonal levels and fluid stagnation in the maxillary sinuses. They press on the eyeballs and frontal lobes, causing pain. If a pregnant woman complains of constant congestion, the problem is eliminated with steam inhalation:

Pour 1.5-2 liters of hot water or chamomile broth into a bowl.
Sometimes 3 drops of tea tree essential oil are added to the liquid. The component has anti-inflammatory properties and removes edema.
The woman bends over the container and breathes in vapors for 10-15 minutes.
Gently blows out mucus that is separated during the procedure.

It is not necessary to cover yourself with a towel when carrying out steam inhalation. A pregnant woman can watch a movie or read a book while cleansing the maxillary sinuses. It is also useful to rinse the nasal passages with slightly salted or plain boiled water. The solution softens mucous membranes, helps with headaches caused by allergies, sinusitis and sinusitis.

Fast ways

Unpleasant symptoms will disappear if you attach a cabbage leaf to your forehead and temples. The workpiece is washed under a tap, dipped in boiling water for 1 minute, and then beaten off with a knife handle or a meat hammer. The tool is fixed on the head with bandages or a scarf. Leave for several hours until the migraine passes.

Headache caused by hypotension or vascular dystonia is removed with black tea. A weak drink is prepared, to which a little sugar or honey is added, and a slice of lemon is also put. This tasty medicine increases blood pressure, relieves spasms and saturates the body with vitamin C, which strengthens and tones blood vessels.

If cephalalgia has arisen due to nervous strain or stuffy dry air, the pregnant woman is advised to wash her face with cool water. Water treatments refresh and restore blood circulation, help fight the effects of stressful situations.

Herbal tea can help soothe pregnancy headaches. The healing drink is prepared from chamomile, mint or rose hips. The ban includes:

Melissa;
oregano;
valerian;
tansy;
parsley;
anise;
St. John's wort;
sagebrush;
sweet clover;
wild rosemary.

The components sharply increase blood pressure, cause uterine tone and dizziness, and some instances provoke bleeding and miscarriage.

Herbal teas are taken with caution and in small quantities. Drink up to 2 cups of a healing drink per day. Warm liquid relieves spasms and helps with headaches provoked by colds, sinusitis, cervical osteochondrosis and inflammatory processes in the nasopharynx. If low blood pressure is the cause of the migraine, it is worth making a weak coffee or brewing green tea with a slice of lemon and honey. A headache drink is complemented with a piece of chocolate or a sweet cake.

Attacks of cephalalgia that occur in the early stages are treated with exercises, if physical activity is not contraindicated for the pregnant woman. The woman leans forward and to the sides, squats, lifts from a lying position and makes ointments with her hands and feet. Simple exercises will activate blood circulation, help to stretch the stiff spine and muscles. Headaches disappear 10–20 minutes after starting exercise.

Treat migraines with table vinegar or apple cider vinegar. Dissolve 30 ml of the additive in a glass of distilled water. A piece of cotton cloth is moistened in a cool blank and applied to the forehead for 15 minutes. Acetic solution is not used if the pregnant woman is prone to hypotension. The product lowers blood pressure, can worsen well-being and cause fetal hypoxia.

The balm "Golden Star" helps. The product is sold in pharmacies in liquid and solid form. The drug is rubbed into the temples, maxillary sinuses, wings of the nose and the bridge of the nose with massage movements. The balm warms up and reduces pain, restores breathing and removes swelling.

Migraine symptoms can be treated with freshly squeezed cabbage or cauliflower juice. Take 100-150 ml of the drink. The product has a specific taste, so it is mixed with honey. Cabbage juice starts working 20-30 minutes after drinking.

Pharmacy preparations

Severe headaches are relieved with pills. Citramon is allowed for pregnant women suffering from low blood pressure. The drug contains caffeine, aspirin and paracetamol. But you cannot take more than 1 tablet per day, so as not to harm the developing fetus.

The pulsation in the temples and the back of the head is removed by No-shpa. The medicine does not cope with severe migraine attacks, but it helps with osteochondrosis, stressful situations and overwork. The analogue of the drug is "Drotaverin".

With cephalalgia caused by a cold, "Paracetamol" helps. They also take Nurofen or Ibuprofen. Antipyretic drugs relieve spasms, normalize temperature and remove aches, headaches, weakness and other unpleasant symptoms. "Paracetamol" should not be taken in case of renal and hepatic insufficiency. No more than 6 tablets are consumed per day. The duration of treatment is 3 days. If the headache persists, the pregnant woman should see a doctor.

Antipyretic drugs "Ibuprofen" and "Nurofen" are taken in the second trimester. Medicines are contraindicated in the early stages. Banned during pregnancy "Papaverine" and "Analgin".

A woman carrying a child should carefully select pharmaceutical and folk remedies for cephalalgia. Many herbs and medicines are contraindicated for a pregnant woman, but massage and aromatherapy are allowed, as well as compresses with vinegar and cabbage leaf. Before choosing any method, you should consult with a gynecologist and find the cause of the headaches.

Video: head massage to relieve headaches in 4 minutes

During pregnancy, a woman may encounter many ailments that were previously unfamiliar to her. What never bothered now hurts and brings discomfort. Headaches are no exception, and many women first encounter migraines during the months of waiting for the baby. The reason lies in the cardinal changes in the body that occur during the entire delicate period. All systems undergo changes, in particular the immune, urinary, digestive and cardiovascular systems. The hormonal background is also rearranged, due to which the woman experiences previously unfamiliar emotions and states.

There are several reasons for the occurrence of regular headaches during pregnancy. Before fully investigating the problem, doctors try to exclude the most common causes:

hypertension; increased venous pressure;
infections;
diseases associated with the metabolic processes of the body.

Changes in the body also affect the nervous system, which makes the pregnant woman more likely to experience irritability and headache.

There are a number of other reasons that can trigger migraines. Doctors have classified five factors due to which malaise can occur.

Genetic predisposition

Heredity plays a big role in a woman's life and her reproductive abilities depend heavily on her. Pregnant women often report feeling similar symptoms that their mothers and grandmothers felt at one time. Intense, repetitive head pain is often also a genetic "gift" of women of past generations. There are times when the ailments are so strong that other unpleasant sensations are connected:

vision deteriorates;
urge to nausea and vomiting;
fear of light.

A tendency to migraines may not bother a woman until she becomes pregnant. Changes in hormonal levels and vascular tone become a factor in the onset of a throbbing headache.

In order not to face this problem suddenly, you need to ask your mother or grandmother about the hereditary predisposition. Then you will know what to prepare for and coordinate the optimal therapy with your doctor.

During an attack, pain cannot be tolerated, since it affects the well-being of not only the mother, but also the baby. When buying an anesthetic, you should carefully study the instructions, pregnancy should not be on the list of contraindications.

When the pain has just begun, it can be relieved with antispasmodic drugs, but with strong intensity and prolonged malaise, they will not help.

Water balance

Consumption of the proper amount of liquid plays an important role in the well-being of the expectant mother. Lack of fluid in the body reduces the volume of blood that needs to circulate constantly. The nutrition of the tissues and cells of the brain is impaired, which is why a woman may experience cramps in the head area.

In order not to disturb the water balance, you should consume the required amount of liquid. It should become more profuse when nausea increases and painful symptoms develop. Proper nutrition also affects the well-being of a pregnant woman.

The diet should consist of healthy, healthy foods, excluding caffeine, hard cheese, chocolate, smoked meats, hot sauces, canned food, etc.

These products are rich in nitrates, which provoke ailments, especially in those who are sensitive to synthetic components. The daily menu should consist of dishes with ingredients of exclusively natural origin. If it is very difficult to refuse harmful products, their use should be minimized.

Fatigue and stress

Quite often, the head starts to ache from lack of rest. Ailments mainly appear in the evening, when the body's energy reserves are running out. The pain can be so intense that it is impossible to relax and sleep.

Many reasons can drive the body into a stressful state: a work rush, household chores that do not allow you to fully rest, an internal mood that drives you into a constant rush to prepare for the birth of a child.

Such ailments even have a name - "tension pain". It is closely related to stress and fatigue that plague the body. In no case should pregnant women be in this state for a long time, since the stress of the body can activate the tone of the uterus.

The first thing to do is to take sedatives to relieve the headache.

Medicines for pregnant women are of herbal origin and help well in this case. However, in order to prevent the discomfort from recurring, it is necessary to eliminate the factor causing fatigue or stress.

Regular rest and an active lifestyle will help you stay alert and energetic.

In such a delicate period, you should not burden yourself with a lot of household chores, these months should be devoted to rest and moral preparation for future motherhood. A positive approach and temporary frivolity will not hurt, but will benefit a healthy course of all trimesters.

Spine problems

Spinal disorders are the most common cause of pain. Before conception, they could be invisible, but as the fetus grows, the spine feels more and more heaviness, which is why minor problems can worsen.

Osteochondrosis provokes compression of the vessels located in the neck. From this, the brain receives less oxygen, which should enter its tissues along with the blood. Radiography will help to determine the presence of this disease and its stage. Unfortunately, it is impossible to cure a curved spine, however, there is always a chance to eliminate inflammation and exacerbation.

First of all you should contact an experienced massage therapist. The impact on the collar zone through massage will remove the load and tension of the nerve endings.

Secondly, it is effective to visit the pool during pregnancy. Water helps to relax the body and the weight of the fetus does not weigh on the spine as much.

Blood pressure surges

Every time at a doctor's appointment, a procedure for measuring the blood pressure of a pregnant woman is performed. It is required to track trends in the work of the cardiovascular system during a delicate period.

Changes in the body can affect blood pressure and disrupt its normal readings. In this regard, the woman's well-being is disturbed. A decrease in blood sugar also provokes pressure surges, which causes a headache.

Expectant mothers need to eat well, move regularly and be outdoors. A healthy lifestyle will help your body cope with stress.

If blood pressure is constantly far from normal, you need to consult a therapist.

Pain relievers

Painful sensations can not be tolerated in any case. If headaches haunt you, you need to treat the symptoms with pain relievers. But not every analgesic is allowed to be taken by expectant mothers. If ailments appear with enviable regularity, you should consult your doctor. He will prescribe the best remedy or therapeutic technique.

You cannot look for a solution to the problem in pharmacies, because pharmacists are incompetent in this matter and do not have the right to determine the ratio of negative effects on the fetus and benefits for the pregnant woman. This should be done exclusively by the doctor based on the clinical picture of the patient.

Your doctor can help determine the cause of your headache. For example, psychosis caused by stress is effectively treated with paracetamol. Knowing the etiology of painful symptoms, the doctor will prescribe the optimal dosage and the course of taking the necessary remedy.

Aspirin, analgin and other medicines with a similar active substance should not be used in any of the trimesters.

Their action is aimed at narrowing the vessels through which blood enters the organs and directly into the uterus, placenta. The risk is very high, so doctors never prescribe these drugs, even if the migraine is very severe. Fortunately, there are many more gentle alternatives to classic analgesics. Homeopathy in some cases will help replace them with success.

ethnoscience

Ancient healing recipes can also defeat ailments. Raw potatoes are good for throbbing pain. One root vegetable should be peeled, cut into rings and placed on the forehead and temples, covered with a bandage. You need to lie with a compress for at least twenty minutes.

On the painful area, you can attach a cabbage leaf or lemon peel, having previously scalded them with boiling water. Burdock and linden leaves also have a healing effect.

If the cause of the pain lies in a violation of pressure, herbal preparations will help, which can normalize it. It is better to choose feminine plants: mint, lemon balm, linden, coltsfoot, verbena, etc.

Even if the pain has subsided, prevention will not hurt. You should drink rosehip infusion, lingonberry, blackberry, strawberry and blueberry teas. A cup of yogurt, drunk on an empty stomach, is also a good prevention of headaches.

Most often, headaches accompany women in the first trimester of pregnancy. With the development of the fetus, they pass, so you need to be patient and cope with discomfort using the most harmless methods and rest more.

Women in position are gentle creatures. Rebuilding the body leads to serious health problems. Expectant mothers may experience unpleasant symptoms. So, they are often tormented by nausea, and a headache. What can you drink during pregnancy so as not to harm the fetus in the womb and relieve pain? There are not too many options, but they are still there. Let's talk about what method can be used to deal with discomfort and whether there are alternatives to medication.

Internal factors provoking pain

If you often need to choose a special treatment, conventional pills in this case will be contraindicated for you. It will be necessary to determine any methods of relieving discomfort together with the gynecologist responsible for the condition of the expectant mother and fetus.

It should be noted right away that a significant number of women who are expecting a baby face a similar phenomenon, migraine. This condition can be blamed on many factors, including a change in physiological parameters and a greater susceptibility to external stimuli. The main reasons that can trigger migraines are:

hormonal surges;
increased blood volume;
stressful situations and depression;
dehydration.

Unpleasant sensations are most typical for the first trimester, if they do not leave you in the future, be sure to undergo a detailed examination.

It must be remembered that if you have a tendency to such sensations, then, most likely, they will increase significantly and will be repeated many times.

External factors that provoke pain

Dull pain in the temples can be triggered by a number of external factors. Eliminating such an irritant means getting rid of its negative consequences. So, if you have a headache during pregnancy, the reasons for this may be due to:

tobacco smoke;
lack of fresh air;
strong noise;
excessively high or low air temperatures, as well as their differences;
flashes and flickering of bright light;
too active aromas, unpleasant odors.

Oddly enough, but individual food products can also provoke unpleasant sensations. Study the list below carefully and try to eliminate them from your diet. Potentially hazardous foods include:

The simplest first aid measures

After you have identified all the possible causes, it is time to eliminate them. Let's talk about how to take action if you have a headache during early pregnancy. What to do in this situation. First of all, create the most comfortable conditions for yourself. What they will be known only to you! Limit extraneous noise, dim the lights, and wear comfortable clothes that do not hinder your movements. Provide fresh air in the room, and if necessary, go for a short walk. To relieve possible stress and stress, do not forget to eat right, eat more often, but limit the portion size, drink pure, not sweet water.

Now you know what to do if you have a headache during early pregnancy. In the event that these measures do not help, and you do not want to drink pills, try to implement the following recipes:

Medicines banned

What to do if the specified manipulations do not help and you still have a headache. What can you drink during pregnancy from special medications? Before we determine the list of permitted means, we will draw up a certain list of taboos, something that cannot be used categorically. This list includes:

Your main drug helpers

Now, you know what not to take if you have a headache. What can you drink during pregnancy? Most likely, the doctor will prescribe you the means "Paracetamol" or "No-shpu". Let's talk a little more about them.

"Paracetamol" or "Panadol" is suitable for both women in position and small children. Its use in reasonable quantities is permissible immediately after the moment of conception and until the very birth. The permitted dose of such pills is usually determined after consultation with your doctor. The general rule is, as follows, no more than 3 grams of the drug in 24 hours. In terms of tablets, the daily dose will be 6 pieces. It is forbidden to take such pain relievers for more than three days in a row.

Gynecologists quite often recommend taking No-shpu. The main purpose of such tablets is to reduce vasospasm. Additional properties of the drug include the ability to reduce pressure, muscle relaxation. The daily dose is also equal to six pieces of funds.

Conditionally Approved Medicines

If you have a headache during pregnancy, how to treat it, the question is quite urgent. A number of tablets that relieve discomfort can be attributed to the group of conditionally approved drugs. The thing is that their use is permissible only for a certain period of expectation of the offspring. These include Nurofen and Pentalgin products. After the thirtieth week of pregnancy, such funds can provoke difficulties in the work of the heart in the fetus, as well as early closure of the arterial flow. The properties of these drugs include a negative impact on the development of the child's lungs.

In the first and second trimester, after consulting a doctor, it is allowed to use such pills in a dosage of no more than 3 grams per day.

Pain in the later stages

Headache during late pregnancy? Be sure to contact your gynecologist with such a complaint. Unpleasant sensations may well be a symptom of something much more serious. Pay close attention to the frequency and severity of pain, as well as possible additional manifestations. A detailed examination of the body is required if a regular migraine is accompanied by the following factors:

Desire to vomit and nausea.
Significant excess weight gain.
Short-term vision loss
Increased body temperature.
Significant sensitivity (sensations prevent you from eating, sleeping, doing your usual activities).

A few words in conclusion

What can be said in conclusion? If you have a headache during early pregnancy, in the middle, or in the last trimester, do not feel uncomfortable. They are just as negative for the child as the medications they are taking. Be sure to consult a doctor and get qualified help (examinations and appointments). Self-treatment should start with the simplest procedures (massage, compress, shower). Of course, it happens that they don't help and you still have a headache. What you can drink and "No-shpu", remember these two names, as well as the dosage of their intake, this will help you cope with migraines.

Carrying a child is a real test for the body: hormonal changes and physiological changes do not go unnoticed. A woman has to deal with many unpleasant reactions of her body to the surrounding reality. And the situation when a pregnant woman has a headache is not uncommon. But what does such a symptom indicate? Should he inspire fear? What are the reasons for headaches in women in the position?

Why do pregnant women have a headache?

The body during pregnancy is very sensitive to any changes, both external and internal. There are many interrelated factors that can provoke headaches in women in position. Among them:

Hormonal adjustment. The first 3 months of pregnancy, many women live with daily headaches. This is due to a change in the level of hormones that affect the state of the nervous system.
High blood pressure. This phenomenon is most often observed in the 3rd trimester, when the volume of circulating blood increases significantly.
Low blood pressure. An increased level of progesterone promotes relaxation of muscle cells throughout the body, including the walls of blood vessels, due to the expansion of which pressure drops.
Stress. During pregnancy, a woman experiences some emotional instability. And any conflicts, experiences and manifestations of aggression are fraught with headaches.
Fatigue. Long hours of work at the computer, lack of sleep, mental strain guarantee the occurrence of headaches.
Weight gain. Some women "accumulate" a lot of extra pounds during pregnancy, which provokes an increase in blood pressure. As a result, my head hurts.
Weather. An increase or decrease in atmospheric pressure affects the well-being of all people. But a pregnant woman is especially sensitive to weather changes, often suffering from headaches.

You should definitely tell your doctor about the pain that has arisen. You should not risk your health during pregnancy.

Dangerous headaches

Despite the fact that in most cases headaches are common for women in position, sometimes they turn out to be symptoms of serious illnesses. When should you be on your guard? A sudden severe headache during pregnancy may indicate a pathology of the central nervous system:

cerebral venous thrombosis;
subarachnoid hemorrhage;
intracerebral hemorrhage;
an infectious lesion of the neck and head.

Also, headaches occur with gestosis. This is a serious complication of pregnancy, which is based on generalized vasospasm, leading to impaired circulation in the central nervous system. This condition is very dangerous and requires compulsory treatment.

In some cases of dangerous headaches, the doctor makes a decision about surgery or even premature delivery. Such deviations are rare enough, and most expectant mothers do not face such problems. But still, a pregnant woman needs to closely monitor her health. During this period, it is better to play it safe than to overlook.

How to treat headaches in pregnant women

What to do if you have a headache during pregnancy? Take medication or tolerate? Or maybe turn to folk remedies?

Drug treatment

It is categorically impossible for a woman in a position to self-medicate: taking any medications should be discussed with a doctor. What explains this precaution? Some drugs are characterized by teratogenic effects: in the first trimester, they simply disrupt the normal development of the fetus, which leads to pathology incompatible with the life of the unborn child. In the second half of pregnancy, incorrectly selected pills can negatively affect the functions of the fetal organs, as well as lead to premature birth.

If a headache interferes with normal life, then before consulting a gynecologist, it is allowed to take a No-shpy pill. But this medicine can only be used early. Due to the negative effect on the fetus, it is absolutely impossible to get rid of the headache with the help of the usual "Analgin" and "Aspirin".

Aromatherapy

High or low blood pressure often causes headaches: it is enough to bring it back to normal to feel relief. Essential oils will help with this.

First you need to measure the pressure. Only then should you choose the oil. Under reduced pressure, oils are suitable:

orange;
vervain;
grapefruit.

In case of increased pressure, it is better to turn to oils:

lemon;
ylang-ylang;
lavender.

Some essential oils are considered harmful to pregnant women. Therefore, be sure to read the instructions for use. For example, it is categorically impossible to use, while in position, oils:

myrrh;
camphor;
parsley;
basil;
birch;
jasmine;
oregano;
cypress;
marjoram;
mint and peppermint;
lemon balm;
roses;
juniper;
thyme;
sage;
spices;
rosemary;
cedar;
wormwood;
sweet dill;
fennel;
chamomile;
hyssop.

Headaches can be relieved with cold or hot inhalation, applying essential oils to the body, and massage. But self-aromatherapy requires prior consultation with a doctor, since the effect of essential oils on the body of a pregnant woman has not yet been fully studied.

Folk recipes

Regular herbal tea will soothe headaches. Mint, rose hips, chamomile are not only tasty, but also healthy. It is enough to drink 2 glasses of this tea for the painful sensations to disappear.

Relaxation

Sometimes, a little relaxation is enough for the headache to go away. Solitude in silence can be more beneficial than pills. Meditation, yoga and even simple sleep will make you forget about any ailments. Moreover, this method of getting rid of a headache for a nursing mother is also great.

Cold therapy

The headache will go away if you wash your face with cold water or take a cool shower. This "procedure" narrows the dilated vessels, and the pain gradually subsides. You can also make a cold compress: moisten a piece of cloth with water and, wringing it out, attach it to the sore spot.

Prevention of headaches during pregnancy

You can reduce the risk of headaches if you normalize your "lifestyle". A pregnant woman should take care of:

daily walks in the fresh air;

proper nutrition;

a sufficient amount of fluid you drink;

emotional balance;

full sleep;

stay only in well-ventilated areas;

giving up bad habits.

Following these rules will not only save the expectant mother from excruciating headaches, but will also benefit the baby. By the way, with the beginning of the second trimester, the hormonal background stabilizes, and the headaches disappear.

The period of pregnancy requires a woman of remarkable patience, self-control and constant health care. But all the troubles like headaches fade into the background with the birth of a child. It remains only to wait for this happy moment.

Headache can occur due to:

adaptation of the female body to hormonal changes during pregnancy (an increase in the level of progesterone and estrogen affects the tone of the vessels, sometimes causing their spasms);
a sudden increase or decrease in blood pressure in a pregnant woman during magnetic storms or prolonged cloudiness before rain;
emotional stress or overwork;
feelings of hunger or thirst;
stuffiness and stuffiness in the air in the room;
lack of sleep or, conversely, oversleeping (sleep more than 10 hours);
incorrect posture, in particular, in the third trimester.

Certain foods can also cause pregnancy headaches, such as chocolate, or avoiding certain foods, such as coffee or strong tea.

In other cases, pain syndrome can be observed with problems with blood vessels (for example, with vegetative-vascular dystonia), with cervical vertebrae (for example, with cervical osteochondrosis or any injuries of the cervical spine), as well as with colds, inflammatory (infectious) diseases (ARI and ARVI, sinusitis, meningitis and others) and together with toothache.

The causes of headaches during pregnancy are varied and numerous. The main thing is to determine the nature of pain during pregnancy in order to find the correct and effective treatment for them without harm and negative consequences for the fetus.

Symptoms and Treatment of Various Types of Headaches During Pregnancy

Stress pain characterized by a dull, monotonous pain, the head seems to be pulled together by an elastic band.

Patients often complain of pain that spreads from the neck to the back of the head, temples, and eye area. On palpation, pain points are felt in the back of the head and neck. Nausea is possible, vomiting is absent. The duration of such a headache is from 30 minutes to 1-1.5 hours.

There is tension pain during physical and mental fatigue, nervous exhaustion, during or after stressful situations.

Treatment for tension headaches during pregnancy is symptomatic relief. The following tools will help in this.

It is also useful to train the tone of the vascular walls with the help of a contrast shower, but most importantly, do not overdo it, the water should not be very cold, but only slightly cool, i.e. room temperature.

Acupressure massage that relieves various headaches

Self-massage of biologically active points of the body will help to cope with headaches during pregnancy, without resorting to the use of medications that are dangerous for the child.

Liu Hongsheng will tell the secrets of traditional Chinese medicine, and clearly tell where are the very points, the massage of which will soothe the headache.

Dr. Hongsheng, using the example of the first point on his hand, will show how to massage them, and then he will indicate only the points themselves, which, according to the same principle, need to be massaged for just a few minutes.

What to do if you have a severe headache during pregnancy?

Paracetamol (children's Panadol suppositories or syrup, Efferalgan suppositories or syrup) is able to penetrate the placental barrier. Although until now there has been no negative effect of paracetamol on the fetus, it is necessary to take it only as a last resort, when the pain does not subside for a long time.

What headache medications are contraindicated in pregnancy?

Aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid), Citramon, Ibuprofen (Ibuprom, Nurofen, Brufen), Diclofenac (Diclonat, Dicloran, Ortofen), Indomethacin, Ketoprofen (Ketonal, Flamax) and other similar drugs are contraindicated during pregnancy.

These drugs can have a negative effect on the development of the fetus and the course of pregnancy.

The use of the necessary doses for high-quality pain relief in the first trimester of pregnancy can cause fetal defects (cleft palate, heart disease). The appointment of these drugs in the first trimester of pregnancy is strictly contraindicated.

In the second trimester of pregnancy, some of these drugs can be prescribed, but only with a strict assessment of the risks and benefits for the mother and the fetus, and only in small doses and for a short time.

In the third trimester of pregnancy, the necessary doses of the drug can cause inhibition of labor, premature closure of the ductus arteriosus in the fetus, poor blood clotting in the mother, which threatens with large blood loss during childbirth, and administration immediately before childbirth itself can cause intracranial hemorrhages, especially in premature babies. The appointment of the above medications in the third trimester of pregnancy is contraindicated.

Headache

continues for several days in a row?

occurs often enough and is accompanied by nausea and vomiting?

very sharp and sharp?

or accompanied by:

an increase in body temperature to 38 ° C or more?

a condition where it is impossible to press the chin to the chest?

weakness of arms and legs or their numbness?

difficult speech?

vision problems and poor coordination?

Then you need to see a doctor immediately!