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Headache in the second half of pregnancy - how to overcome an unpleasant symptom? Headache pills during pregnancy. What can you do with a headache during pregnancy

It's hard to immediately realize your new position looking at the emerging second strip of dough. One part of you understands everything, but the other at the same time shrugs his shoulders in amazement: “It can't be!”.

The process of realizing and accepting wonderful news could be accelerated if the pregnancy did not have impartial companions. They do not occur in every expectant mother, however, you can often hear about the development of toxicosis, the appearance of drowsiness, fatigue and headaches. The last three satellites appear most often, sometimes they are directly dependent on each other.

So, headache during pregnancy - what to do, how to deal with it and what can it affect?

Headache during pregnancy: causes

There can be a lot of reasons for headaches both in expectant mothers and in all other people. Let's try to understand them all the same, so that there is an understanding of how to deal with this:

  1. Hormonal background. At the beginning of pregnancy, tremendous changes take place in the female body, expressed, first of all, by a change in the power of hormones: some calm down, others seem to explode, increasing literally before our eyes and not thinking to slow down the growth rate. This can often manifest itself in the form of headaches and other types of pain during the first trimester of pregnancy.
  2. Psychological factor. This is how a person works: he perceives good or bad news with excitement, with emotions. And for a pregnant woman, this can be safely multiplied by 2. Of course, expectant mothers cannot be nervous - but are there many such "iron ladies"? Stress at work, perhaps at home, anxiety associated with your position, fear of the first meeting ... There can be many reasons, and each of them can trigger the process of excitement and experience, which, in turn, will find a way out in headaches.
  3. Blood pressure surges: low in early pregnancy, often accompanied by toxicosis; increased - in the third trimester with edema and excess protein in the urine. A doctor leading a pregnancy always monitors the working pressure of her ward, because, among other things, his jumps have a direct effect on the occurrence of headaches.
  4. Nutrition. It turns out that the usual cold food can provoke a headache! In addition, foods containing phenylamine and tyramine should be limited if seizures are common. Be careful with chocolate, bananas, citrus fruits, coffee, tea, Japanese food, etc. By the way, most of the above, in principle, it is better not to use during pregnancy, or at least it is worth reducing the amount eaten to a minimum. Irregular eating, the appearance of hunger can also lead to headaches. Eat often, but in small portions, do not allow yourself to be hungry.
  5. Overweight. There is nothing good about gaining weight before, after or during pregnancy. Shortness of breath, fatigue, rapid heartbeat ... The consequences can be enumerated for a long time, and a sore head is one of them.
  6. Dehydration. Insufficient intake of ordinary drinking water in the body, in addition to all other fluids, negatively affects the metabolic rate and well-being in particular, causing unbearable headaches.
  7. Meteorological dependence. There is nothing to be done about the weather changes and dependence on them. They are most susceptible to children, the elderly and pregnant women.
  8. Sleep disturbances. When insomnia torments at night, and in the morning you cannot open your eyes, then we are talking about lack of sleep. Everyone is shown a good long sleep (at least 8 hours), and especially for pregnant women. Sleeping too long is also harmful. Surely, this has happened to you too - you sleep for 11-12 hours, you get up angry, sleepy, your head is heavy, and half the day is behind you.
  9. Weather in the house. We are talking about the microclimate of the room in which sleep or normal rest in a horizontal position takes place. A stuffy room without a drop of fresh air will provoke headaches for anyone, especially for a future mother!
  10. Various diseases. In some cases, a severe headache during pregnancy can be a symptom of a disease, such as osteochondrosis or vascular dystonia. In any case, there must be other symptoms characteristic of a particular disease, they should be immediately reported to the doctor.

Headache during pregnancy: what to do?

Migraine attacks can seriously poison the life of any person, therefore every expectant mother faced with this ailment is tormented by the question: "how to get rid of a headache during pregnancy"?

Indeed, how? After all, everything is impossible, even half of the products are banned, what can we say about medicines! It's not all that bad. If you have a headache, then first of all you should try to eliminate the pain yourself, using improvised means:

  1. If you experience acute pain, lie down and close your eyes. Ideally, there should be access to fresh air, open the window so that it is comfortable. You can put a cold compress soaked in water on your forehead.
  2. Make it a rule: you need to constantly ventilate the room, especially the bedroom! And all microbes will evaporate, and access to fresh air will reward you and your household with good health and good health. And if you add air humidification to this, then you get the ideal microclimate for the future nursery.
  3. Try to fit at least 8 hours of sleep daily into your busy daily routine. Can't sleep? Try to do what you can! A warm shower before bed, nice books, again, a ventilated and humid room and no TV!
  4. Walks in the open air. For expectant mothers and their babies, this activity is in principle useful, in addition to preventing headaches, an extra portion of fresh air accelerates the blood, activating metabolic processes and saturating cells with oxygen.
  5. Proper nutrition. If you eat every three hours fractionally and exceptionally healthy food, then this will generally improve the quality of life, contribute to the normalization of metabolism and improve well-being, relieving migraines as well.
  6. Drinking regime. Anyone, in addition to all other liquids, should drink 1.5 - 2 liters of water per day. This is necessary to activate and maintain at the level of all metabolic processes - and excess weight will not be gained, and the state of health will be at the highest level. If there is a tendency to edema, and it often manifests itself in the last months of pregnancy, then you should not drink before going to bed or relaxing on the couch.
  7. Reasonable physical activity. In the 21st century, with all its information accessibility, there are still future mothers who spend their leisure time mainly sitting or lying on the couch. This is possible if and only if the pregnancy is threatened with disruption and the doctor has prescribed bed rest. And then, in dangerous cases, the pregnant woman is put on storage. For the most part, pregnancies pass without complications and without indications for bed rest. Therefore, such a way of life is a gross mistake! Walk, walk, breathe fresh air, swim in the pool, do special gymnastics, just don't sit around at home or at work!

Pregnancy headache - which pills NOT to take?

Each of us was faced with the need to take pain pills, but, unfortunately, most of them are strictly prohibited for expectant mothers. There are not so many approved pills for headache during pregnancy, therefore, first of all, you should know which drugs to be afraid of.

  • First of all, you will have to forget about such a popular remedy as Citramon, because it contains aspirin, which is dangerous for the fetus - getting inside the mother's body, it is absorbed by the bloodstream of the future crumbs, provoking the development of pathologies in its blood supply system.
  • You may have heard of medications such as Triptan or Egrotamine, for example. These drugs are able to contract the walls of the uterus, and this, in turn, provokes premature birth.
  • Fiorinal contains sleeping pills.

The list of prohibited drugs for headaches during pregnancy can be enumerated endlessly, while the drugs approved for use in such a crucial period can be counted on one hand!

What can you drink for a headache during pregnancy? When it comes to recurring unbearable headaches, doctors can go to extreme lengths and prescribe pills to their wards, and in these cases we are talking about drugs based on paracetamol.

Paracetamol for headaches during pregnancy

  • First of all, we are talking about drugs such as Efferalgan and Panadol. They are completely harmless, non-addictive, instant and effective. The main thing is to check with the doctor the recommended dosage or carefully read the instructions for the drug.

What else is possible for a headache during pregnancy?

  • Well-known No-Shpa perfectly relieves spasms and dilates blood vessels. Plus, it can lower blood pressure.
  • And the last medicine on our list for headache for pregnant women is Ibuprofen. It is better not to abuse it and take it only until the 30th week.

Knowing what to take for headaches during pregnancy, the expectant mother may not worry about the next attacks of headaches. The main thing is to consult a doctor and buy the drugs approved by him in your first-aid kit and put them in your bag if migraine attacks are frequent and do not go away so easily.

Pregnancy headache: 1 trimester

From the moment of conception, a serious hormonal change takes place in the body of the expectant mother, aimed at maintaining and developing a new life in her stomach. This process cannot go completely without a trace and is often expressed in the form of rather serious headaches during early pregnancy.

However, if earlier, with a toothache or headache, you could safely use any pain reliever from your first-aid kit, now even a seemingly harmless medicine can affect the health and development of the unborn baby in the most serious and unpredictable way. Although most often the head hurts in the third and first trimesters, in the early stages you will have to refrain from taking any pain relievers, even if their use is allowed with caution during pregnancy.

The fact is that it is in the first three months that a small organism is formed, a future man with all his internal organs and important systems, female hormones are raging, the condition is, in principle, unusual for the female body, especially if the pregnancy is the first. Therefore, the fewer interventions you make during this period, the better it will be for the crumbs.

And to deal with a headache in the first trimester of pregnancy should be done with the help of improvised means and at home.

Pregnancy headache: second trimester

In the second trimester, headache is extremely rare, at least if it is not one of the symptoms of any disease. In this case, you should immediately see a doctor in order to eliminate the root cause, then the headache will go away on its own.

By the fourth month of pregnancy, the female body is already assimilating and getting used to its position, the tummy is gradually increasing, the baby begins to kick, and it is during this period that a true awareness of her motherhood comes to most expectant mothers. The soul sings, life seems beautiful also because all the unpleasant companions of pregnancy are left behind.

But if you still have a headache, you should not endure it. For a start, it is better to try as much as possible to relieve the pain syndrome on your own, without resorting to medications, but if this does not help, and your head is literally torn to pieces, then you should do without fanaticism. The second trimester is already stable, a protective barrier is formed around the crumbs - the placenta, so the risk of taking pills tends to zero. It is better to take the drug that is safest for the fetus once, than to suffer and endure pain - the baby there feels everything, everything, and when the mother feels bad and painful, too.

Pregnancy headache: 3 trimester

The golden time is behind, ahead is the finish line to the birth of a crumb. Weight begins to increase more than before, the baby grows, and mother's volumes also grow. It becomes more and more difficult to move in space: in addition to the increased load on the back and legs, the woman also receives an additional bonus in the form of a shift in the center of gravity due to the growth of the abdomen, such a load is unusual for her, therefore fatigue rolls on more and more quickly, edema, shortness of breath may appear and high blood pressure.

And the baby is now also actively gaining weight, he is preparing for his birth, taking all the necessary vitamins, minerals and nutrients from his mother. It is no wonder that often the mother's body closer to childbirth can simply be exhausted both morally and physically. After all, every day the long-awaited meeting is getting closer, it cannot but irritate! So in the last three months of pregnancy, headaches can periodically overtake, and the doctor will prescribe pain relievers to relieve them. Although you should not forget that you can and should fight headaches on your own, without resorting to pills, most importantly, without fanaticism.

Let's sum up

Now you know what to drink from a headache during pregnancy, in what extreme cases it is worth doing it and how to try as much as possible so that it does not come to this.

A constant and especially severe headache during pregnancy requires treatment, therefore it is so important to talk to your doctor in time about the deterioration of health and the manifestation of certain symptoms.

Walk more, think about good things and be less nervous - soon you will be a mother, and your life will never be the same again!

Video "Remedies for headaches during pregnancy"

Headache during pregnancy is a common ailment that accompanies most expectant mothers. From our article you will learn how to get rid of migraines, what medications can be taken in the 1st, 2nd and 3rd trimesters.

According to statistics, every 5 pregnant women face a headache (cephalalgia). This condition most often manifests itself in the first 3 months of bearing a baby, but sometimes it also manifests itself at a later date. There are many reasons for the occurrence of malaise, let's figure it out together with them.

The main causes of headaches during pregnancy are:

  • Hormonal changes - such a state is quite natural, because your body develops in such a way as to be able to bear a baby for 9 months. In addition, an increase in the level of progesterone and estrogen affects the tone of the vessels, causing them to spasm.
  • Sudden increase or decrease in blood pressure during magnetic storms or prolonged cloud cover before rain;
  • overwork;
  • emotional exhaustion;
  • severe stress;
  • hunger;
  • stuffiness;
  • thirst;
  • being in a poorly ventilated room;
  • sleep disturbance (insomnia or sleep for more than 10 hours);
  • incorrect posture (usually this is typical for the 3rd trimester).

Even certain foods can cause headaches. For example, eating chocolate or not drinking strong tea can trigger migraines.

Other reasons for the onset of malaise include the presence of vegetative-vascular dystonia, problems with the cervical vertebrae, colds and toothache.

Symptoms and treatment of headaches during pregnancy

Cephalalgia has a different classification. Below we will tell you what to do if you have a headache during pregnancy.

Tension pains are inherent in dull and monotonous painful sensations. This creates a feeling as if the head is pulled together with an elastic bandage. Often with this type of ailment, women complain of discomfort from the neck to the back of the head, temples and eye area. During palpation, pain points are felt in the neck and back of the head. Probably nausea, no vomiting. As a rule, the duration of such sensations is from half an hour to an hour and a half.

There is tension pain with mental or physical fatigue, nervous exhaustion, stress. Treatment of this type of cephalalgia consists in eliminating the symptoms with the help of such means:

  • - a drug that reduces psycho-emotional stress and signs of VSD, improves mood, mental performance and sleep. Glycine is useful to prevent frequent headaches due to an unstable nervous system.
  • Valerian - prescribed in case of overexcitation of the nervous system and sleep disorders up to 4 tablets at a time.
  • Plaster-compress "Extraplast" - it contains lavender, eucalyptus, menthol and castor oil. All these substances do not penetrate into the human circulatory system, so they are safe for the fetus. The cooling patch should be applied to dry skin on the forehead or back of the neck so that it does not come into contact with the hair. Each patch is for one-time use only. You cannot keep it on the body longer than 6 hours.

Characteristic black migraine there are prolonged throbbing pains in one half of the head and extending to the eyes. As a rule, the duration of such symptoms ranges from 4 hours to several days.

In some cases, the pain is accompanied by nausea and vomiting. Before an attack, you may notice blurred vision, visual or auditory hallucinations, and taste changes. Any physical activity only intensifies the signs of malaise.

Migraine occurs as a result of irritation of the ganglia and plexus around the head and neck. This condition provokes diseases of the cervical spine, cerebral vessels, paranasal sinuses.

In the second and third trimesters, you can take several Paracetamol tablets to relieve discomfort. Despite the fact that experimental studies have not confirmed the negative effects of Paracetamol on fetal formation, it is not recommended to take it in the first trimester. It is better to use suppositories instead of a tablet form, since they contain a lower dosage of the active substance, and are allowed for children from 3 months. A few Valerian tablets can also help manage a mild migraine.

Characteristic feature vascular headache is a throbbing pain in the occipital, parietal, temporal and other areas of the head. Most often, this malaise occurs with hypertension and hypotension, VSD and other pathologies of the cardiovascular system.

A distinctive feature is the narrowing and spasms of the vessels of the brain, as a result of which cephalalgia is formed. During a hypertensive crisis, a feeling of heaviness in the head, an increasing general weakness and blue lips may be added to the listed symptoms. The occurrence of vascular spasms in the brain is often accompanied by nausea and tinnitus.

How to get rid of discomfort? Use a cold compress on the forehead or the back of the neck to constrict blood vessels, which is helpful for hypertension.

It is recommended to use a hot compress, as it dilates the blood vessels and improves the condition with low blood pressure. If you are prone to hypotension, try to live a healthy lifestyle, not overeat and get enough sleep. During a crisis, it is best for you to lie down for 40 minutes with a warming compress on your forehead. Or have some coffee.

It is useful to regularly use a contrast shower, as it not only has a beneficial effect on the skin, but also normalizes blood pressure.

Diet for headaches during pregnancy

With frequent and severe migraines during pregnancy, you need to review your diet. Often, the occurrence of headaches is associated with improper and unbalanced nutrition, the use of such products:

  • bananas;
  • citrus fruits;
  • Chinese cuisine;
  • chicken, pork and beef liver;
  • avocado;
  • processed cheese.

Migraine headaches can develop as a result of strict diets, curative or cleansing fasting. Remember, during pregnancy, you need to eat right so that there are no health problems for the fetus and yours.

Proper nutrition and low-calorie foods will help you maintain your weight. Eat plenty of fresh fruit to enrich your body with beneficial vitamins and minerals. If you feel hungry, drink kefir or yogurt.

Smoked and fried foods reduce vascular tone and provoke cephalalgia. They increase the amount of "bad cholesterol", cause cramping and oxygen deprivation. Experts recommend that expectant mothers completely exclude semi-finished products, canned food and sausages from the diet.

Pregnancy headache pills

Severe headaches can be treated with pills. But remember, they cannot be consumed without the permission of a doctor, as some of the drugs can negatively affect the development of the fetus.

What pills can I drink for a headache? Below are the most popular and effective remedies.

If you suffer from low blood pressure, then in this case, you can take Citramon. It contains aspirin, paracetamol and caffeine. It is forbidden to take more than 1 tablet a day, otherwise you can harm the fetus.

No-shpa will help eliminate the pulsation in the temples and the back of the head. This medication effectively copes with severe migraine attacks, osteochondrosis, overwork and stress. Even with a slight tone of the uterus, you can drink this drug. An analogue of No-shpy is Drotaverin, it can also be used as a pain reliever.

If the cephalalgia is caused by a cold, use Paracetamol, Nurofen, or Ibuprofen to relieve it. Antipyretic drugs relieve spasms, body aches, headaches, weakness, and normalize the temperature. Paracetamol is prohibited to use for liver and kidney failure, anemia, thrombocytopenia. The daily norm of tablets is no more than 6 pieces, the duration of therapy is 3 days. In the absence of effectiveness after taking the drugs, you must see a doctor.

Ibuprofen can be taken only in the 2nd trimester; in the early stages, the use of these antipyretic drugs is prohibited.

During pregnancy, you should be careful about your health. The use of many medicines and medicinal herbs is prohibited, since their composition can harm the development of the fetus. You cannot self-medicate and take medications without the approval of a gynecologist. But at the same time, aromatherapy and massage sessions are allowed, which can eliminate the symptoms of ailment.

Folk remedies for headaches during pregnancy

You can cope with cephalgia on your own if you follow our recommendations:

  • When you are at home, create a calm environment. Draw the curtains, turn off the lights, ventilate the room, turn on soft music. Use your fingertips to massage the skin around the temples and the back of the head.
  • Rinse your hair with warm water and shower, then drink a glass of chamomile or mint tea. If you have hypotension, replace it with strong, sweet black tea.
  • Washing your face with cold water is an emergency measure to relieve headaches.
  • Enjoy an aromatherapy session using lavender, ylang ylang, juniper and lemongrass.

Cephalalgia during pregnancy occurs in patients quite often, such conditions give pregnant women a lot of unpleasant sensations. Although cephalalgia is more often safe for patients, headaches in the third trimester can cause serious ailments, complicating the patient's condition. Most often, headaches are caused by psychological and physiological stress.

Frequent cramps are a reason to see a specialist

During gestation, the female body is constantly undergoing changes. This becomes especially noticeable at a later date. When the belly becomes impressive, it becomes difficult to breathe and it is impossible to sleep normally. It is against the background of all these changes that a headache occurs in the 3rd trimester during pregnancy.

Experts recommend prophylaxis of cephalalgia in advance so as not to suffer from unpleasant sensations. If mommy noticed that after certain actions or influences she has a headache, then they should be avoided in every possible way. These conditions often make moms nervous. If an ordinary person can always take pills for a headache, then ladies in a position such a luxury is prohibited. During gestation, the use of any medications should be minimized.

According to statistics, about 80% of pregnant women suffer from serious headaches, sometimes their intensity is so high that the woman does not have the strength to endure. Such ailments occur at different times, but more often they are observed in the initial and in the third trimester of pregnancy.

Why does the head hurt

The development of cephalalgia is preceded by many factors. Most often they are associated with:

  • A sudden surge in pressure against the backdrop of weather changes;
  • Feeling thirsty or hungry;
  • Lack of sleep or its redundancy;
  • The body's addiction to hormonal changes, when progesterone and estrogen surges cause vascular spasms, provoking cephalgic sensations;
  • Overwork or overstrain of the psychoemotional plan;
  • Stuffiness or stuffiness in the room where the patient is located;
  • Poor posture
  • Also, the provoking factors of cephalalgia can be vascular disorders (VVD), pathologies of the cervical vertebrae (trauma or osteochondrosis);
  • Causes pain syndrome and toothache, colds pathologies of an infectious and inflammatory nature such as acute respiratory viral infections, meningitis, acute respiratory infections or sinusitis.

Sometimes cephalalgic sensations are caused by eating certain foods like chocolate. Also, unpleasant symptoms can occur with a sharp refusal from strong tea or coffee. There are a lot of cephalalgia factors, the main thing is to correctly determine the type of pain and prescribe productive therapy without unpleasant complications.

Varieties of cephalgia

Painful sensations in the head are primary or secondary. Primary ones are caused by tension pains, migraine sensations or cluster soreness, and secondary ones arise against the background of various pathological factors. These include vascular damage or intracranial pathologies, irritants of an infectious nature and neuralgia of various origins.

Restless sleep can also be a cause of discomfort.

Also, secondary pain can be provoked by injury after serious injury, smoking or long-term medication, followed by abrupt withdrawal. Often, secondary cephalalgia develops as a result of metabolic disorders or idiopathic disorders, with jumps in hormonal balance. Pregnant women have to deal with hormonal disturbances every day, so painful symptoms can manifest themselves at any time.

Migraine

Such a condition is distinguished by a noticeable duration, migraine soreness can last 4 hours, and it can stretch for several days. For such a pain syndrome, pulsating soreness is typical, localized on one part of the skull and radiating to the eyeballs. Migraines often come with nausea and vomiting, which may provide some relief. Visual disturbances such as midges or fog may be present before the attack. Sometimes there are changes in taste or hallucinations of an auditory or visual nature.

Migraine symptoms become more intense with bright light, excessive noise, or with physical activity. Migraine develops mainly against the background of irritation of the plexuses or nerve endings on the neck or head, which is usually observed with pathologies of the spinal region in the neck, cerebral vascular system or nasal sinuses. A pair of Paracetamol pills will help to defeat migraines in the third trimester, however, it is better to use the drug in the form of rectal suppositories.

Stress pain

A similar pain syndrome is characterized by monotonous and dull soreness, the patients note that the head is as if constricted by something.

  • Pain symptoms can spread to the back of the head or neck, eyes, or temples.
  • When probing, pain points are felt on the neck and back of the head.
  • Vomiting of patients is not disturbing, although nausea is quite typical for tension pain.
  • Such painful sensations last about 30-90 minutes.
  • The main cause of tension pain is mental or physical fatigue, exhaustion of a nervous nature, as well as stress and depression.

For headaches during pregnancy, if it is tension pain, medications are recommended, the action of which will be aimed at eliminating the symptoms. For this, the reception of Glycine, Valerian, No-shpa, etc. is recommended.

Vascular pain

For vascular pain, symptoms such as throbbing pain in the occiput, temples and crown are typical. Usually, such pain occurs against the background of cardiovascular problems such as hypertension or hypotension, VSD and other pathologies. With hypertension, the vascular channels narrow, the cerebral vessels spasm, which provokes pain. In a crisis, the patient's sensations are supplemented by heaviness in the head and severe weakness, and the integument of the skin becomes cyanotic.

Drink enough plain mineral water throughout the day

With spasms of cerebral vessels, patients are worried about ear noise and bouts of nausea. In such a situation, it is most effective to use a cold compress, which is applied to the frontal region and the back of the neck. If the causes of headaches are associated with hypotension, then you need to apply a hot compress, which will dilate the blood vessels.

When to see a specialist

Where is the line, upon reaching which you should urgently contact a specialist. If the patient suddenly has severe pain, then you should not hesitate to contact an obstetrician-gynecologist. The presence of a prolonged attack of headaches may indicate the development of nervous system pathologies such as blood clots, cerebral hemorrhage, or an infectious process in the cervical vertebra or in the head.

In especially difficult cases, doctors even have to carry out a premature delivery, and then an operation to eliminate the pathology. Any pain requires examination. To identify the causes, the pregnant woman may be referred for computed tomography, MRI, or magnetic resonance-type angiography. Also, to identify the cause of cephalalgia, patients are assigned a laboratory blood test, pressure monitoring or examination by an ophthalmologist.

How to treat

Late headaches in mothers are considered quite a characteristic phenomenon, while the treatment of such conditions with the help of medications is very limited. Most medications can cause abortion or premature delivery. In the third trimester, dizziness and cephalalgia are often disturbed, which occur against the background of an improper diet and regimen. Therefore, the patient should revise the diet, not overwork, and spend more time in the fresh air.

By the 40-week period, the body has already prepared for delivery. The patient continues to be bothered by dizziness and cephalalgia, but more often due to anemic conditions, as well as pressure surges. But with the right actions, mommy can successfully cope with an unpleasant condition.

How to eliminate pain

What can be done to relieve painful sensations in the head in the last trimester. Patients are allowed the following drugs:

  1. Paracetamol or analogs are considered allowed for pregnant women, since the body does not get used to them, and the effect of them comes quickly enough. The main thing is to consult a doctor before taking the medicine.
  2. An excellent drug for pregnant women is No-shpa, which also normalizes blood pressure.
  3. Analgin in the last trimester is not contraindicated, since it does not have a negative effect on the fetus. Although it is not recommended to take these pills for the 1-2 trimester. And on the third, it is better to prefer rectal suppositories. But some doctors do not recommend this remedy at all.
  4. But it is better not to get carried away with Ibuprofen, this drug is allowed only up to a 30-week period.

These drugs can be taken as directed by your doctor. You can purchase them in advance, carry them in your purse, and also have them in your home first aid kit. When an attack of cephalalgia begins, you can immediately take the medicine.

Prohibited drugs

But not all drugs are harmless, most of them are even considered dangerous. It is categorically unacceptable for pregnant women to take Citramon, which contains acetylsalicylic acid, which negatively affects the fetal structures. When it penetrates the placental structures, it can provoke all sorts of pathologies.

The therapy is selected individually by the attending physician

Contraindicated for pregnant women and Triptan, which provokes stimulation of the contractile abilities of the uterine body, which contributes to premature delivery. In addition, preparations containing fiorenal or diphenhydramine are contraindicated. The list of prohibited drugs is endless. The main thing is that the therapy of cephalgic seizures should be carried out under medical supervision and as prescribed by specialists. Even relatively safe drugs should only be taken on the advice of a doctor.

Home methods

Many people choose to manage migraine conditions with home remedies. Self-massage can be used as a first aid, massaging the temporal region for a quarter of an hour. Massaging the head is in the opposite direction. Also, to alleviate the condition, you can apply a cold compress to the back of the head, which also needs to be kept for 15 minutes.

Various decoctions and herbal infusions help to cope with headaches. Tea based on chamomile, lemon balm and mint leaf is especially useful for pregnant women. This drink soothes the nervous system, relieves pain, and improves sleep. A mixture of equal amounts of these herbs (one large spoon) is brewed with half a liter of boiled water. The drink is infused for about 15 minutes, and then taken instead of regular tea.

Why are headaches dangerous?

Pregnant women urgently need to consult a specialist if the pain has dramatically changed its intensity and character, began to grow. Doctor's help is needed when pain symptoms are localized in a specific area on the head, not spreading anywhere, or accompanied by edema, sharp drops or rises in blood pressure.

In addition, it is necessary to consult a doctor if cephalgic symptoms occur every morning upon waking, or other manifestations of a neurological nature such as visual, auditory or olfactory and tactile disorders, numbness of the legs / arms, paresthesia join them.

Prophylaxis

It is better for ladies in an interesting position to direct their efforts to the prevention of cephalgic seizures, because it is always easier to prevent an ailment than to treat it later. What will help avoid migraines and other cephalgic forms.

  • Compliance with a healthy daily regimen with good sleep and sufficient rest, morning exercises, etc.
  • Regular ventilation of the room where the patient lives, access to fresh air is considered the most important condition.
  • A contrast shower will help relieve stress and prevent the development of cephalgic disorders.
  • Aromatherapy and massage procedures also have a beneficial effect on the pregnant woman. Such events will help to fully relax, calm down, which minimizes the likelihood of cephalalgia.
  • So that your head does not hurt, you need to eat healthy food and maintain a healthy lifestyle, exclude excessively bright light and loud sounds.

Mom should, if possible, isolate herself from possible stressful situations, avoid unpleasant conflicts both in the family and with strangers. But excessive joy, excessive fun can also provoke a psycho-emotional outburst, therefore, at the time of gestation, one should simply ensure a calm existence.

Cephalalgia in the last weeks of gestation is common, but not permanent. If the mother takes care of prevention, begins to follow the doctor's recommendations and take care of her own well-being, then she will be able to exclude the appearance of such an unpleasant syndrome.

(cephalalgia) is experienced by up to 40% of expectant mothers. Pregnant women face the onset of cephalalgia already in the first trimester of pregnancy, and a headache that appears later may be a sign of any serious pathology, which requires careful examination and treatment.

Table of contents:

Causes of cephalalgia in pregnant women

A headache that is not a symptom of any disease is called primary. typical for small and late (on the eve of childbirth) terms of gestation. They say about when its appearance is due to chronic pathology or a complication of pregnancy.

Causes of primary headache

After the implantation of a fertilized egg, hormonal changes in the body begin, the purpose of which is to prepare it for bearing a fetus and childbirth. The load on the internal organs of a woman doubles, which creates conditions for the development of cephalalgia:

  • Changes in hormone levels. During gestation, production significantly increases, which reduces the tone of smooth muscles, which prevents uterine contractions and termination of pregnancy. In parallel, progesterone affects vascular tone, which is accompanied by the appearance of weakness, weakness, drowsiness, fatigue and cephalalgia.
  • An increase in the volume of circulating blood. One of the adaptive mechanisms of pregnancy is an increase in the BCC, which prevents large blood loss during childbirth. BCC begins to increase from a short period of pregnancy, which is accompanied by vasodilatation, which is supported by progesterone. And headaches are also characteristic of low blood pressure.
  • Hypersensitivity to irritants. It is also explained by hormonal changes and is manifested by the occurrence of cephalalgia in response to loud sounds, an unpleasant odor, and bright light. Also, progesterone contributes to the development of emotional lability in a pregnant woman, therefore the slightest experience causes tears, irritation and the following headache.
  • Meteosensitivity. Pregnant women, thanks to progesterone, are sensitive to changes in the weather, especially if the increased meteosensitivity has taken place even before the gestation of the fetus. A change in weather, climate or time zone is manifested by the onset of cephalalgia.
  • Microclimate. Most people experience headaches when they are in stuffy or smoky rooms. Expectant mothers are especially sensitive to the microclimate.
  • Posture change. Typical for the third trimester of gestation. Under the weight of the pregnant uterus, the bends in the spine change, which leads to a disorder of blood flow in the vertebral vessels, insufficient oxygen supply to the brain (hypoxia) and cephalalgia.
  • Change in nutrition. In the early stages, a sharp refusal to consume coffee and strong tea can provoke the appearance of cephalalgia against the background of existing hypotension. Later, headache can be caused by foods that contain caffeine, tyramine, sodium chloride in large quantities, phenylamine. Therefore, women who are carrying a child, it is advisable to limit the consumption of chocolate, tea, coffee, cocoa, citrus fruits, pickles, pickles, nuts, cheeses.

Pregnant women are advised to abandon the use of canned food, smoked meats, semi-finished products, sausages. They contain many food additives (dyes, preservatives, flavor enhancers), which not only provoke gastrointestinal disorders, but also affect the brain, causing cephalalgia.

  • and hunger. promotes the development of cerebral hypoxia, which results in cephalalgia. Lack of fluid in the body provokes hypoxia, leads to spasm of blood vessels and the appearance of cephalalgia.
  • Lack of sleep or too much sleep. Excess or lack of night rest, as well as, affect the condition of the pregnant woman and lead to weakness, lethargy, headache.
  • Other factors. Intense intellectual activity, excessive physical activity, prolonged work at the computer, intake of cold food cause cephalalgia.

Causes of secondary cephalalgia

During the period of gestation, an exacerbation of a woman's chronic diseases or the development of complications of pregnancy is possible, which is accompanied by the appearance of headaches:

  • The main manifestations of migraine are recurrent headache, which captures one half of the head (eye - forehead - temple). The pain is intense, pulsating, aggravated by turning the head and is combined with loss of appetite, sleep disturbance, irritability or depression, nausea / vomiting. The etiology of migraine is not well understood, but heredity is not excluded. All of the above factors (hunger, physical or mental fatigue, stress, climate change, and others) can provoke an attack.

If the disease was not diagnosed before pregnancy and first manifested itself only during gestation, it is necessary to report an attack of migraine-like pain to the attending physician to exclude a more serious pathology with similar symptoms (cerebral hemorrhage or cerebral thrombosis).

  • A serious complication of pregnancy that occurs in the second half and is characterized by a triad of symptoms: proteinuria, the appearance of edema. When blood pressure rises, vasospasm occurs, insufficient nutrients and oxygen are supplied to the brain, which results in a headache. With a severe degree of gestosis - preeclampsia, in addition to cephalalgia, the pregnant woman complains of blurred vision, flickering "" before the eyes, nasal congestion, fatigue, drowsiness. If untreated, it quickly turns into eclampsia (convulsions, loss of consciousness), which can result in the death of the fetus and the woman.
  • Hypertonic disease. The disease is diagnosed even before pregnancy. Changes in hormonal levels during gestation, especially in the first trimester and before childbirth, negatively affect the course of pathology. The frequency may increase during the period of gestation, and the course of the disease aggravates the onset of gestosis. The headache during a hypertensive crisis is of a pulsating nature and is localized in. The appearance of a severe headache may be accompanied by vomiting and diplopia.
  • Overweight. Both pathological weight gain (latent edema) during the gestational period contribute to spasm of the blood vessels, which causes a rise in pressure, which results in a headache.
  • Curvature of the spine in the cervical spine leads to clamping of the arteries, circulatory disorders in the brain, hypoxia and cephalalgia. Exacerbations of cervical osteochondrosis are typical for pregnancy in the second - third trimester and are caused by an increased load on the spine caused by an enlarged uterus.
  • Hemorrhage in the brain (injury or);
  • (lack of hemoglobin causes hypoxia and cephalalgia);
  • Brain neoplasms;
  • Kidney disease;
  • Dental problems.

Danger of headaches during pregnancy

A pregnant woman needs to urgently seek medical help if the following signs appear:

  • the nature of the headache changed (at first, a dull, aching pain bothered, then it became pulsating);
  • cephalalgia occurs immediately after awakening;
  • pain is localized in a specific area of ​​the head;
  • the appearance of other neurological symptoms (deterioration of vision, hearing, disorder of smell, skin sensitivity, paresthesia, numbness of the extremities);
  • cephalalgia is accompanied by an increase in blood pressure and edema, or a sharp decrease in it;
  • the intensity of pain increases.

Treatment of headache in pregnant women

Due to the fact that headache is observed in almost half of pregnant women, it is recommended that women take a number of measures to prevent the onset of cephalalgia:

  • Revision of nutrition. The expectant mother should refuse or limit the use of sugary carbonated drinks, convenience foods, sausages and fast food (high content of food additives and preservatives). It is also necessary to reduce the consumption of seasonings, fatty, spicy foods, pickles, pickles, strong tea and coffee. Dishes should be served at the optimum temperature (15 - 60 degrees), exclude the intake of too cold or hot food. Make food intake fractional, up to 5 - 6 times a day, and small portions. If hunger occurs, you need to make small snacks (dry biscuits, fruits).
  • Leading a healthy lifestyle. If a woman still has not given up bad habits, in particular smoking, it should be done as soon as possible. Smoking causes fetal hypoxia and slows down its development, as well as aggravates the headache. Useful daily walks in forest park areas, therapeutic exercises for pregnant women, swimming pool.
  • Microclimate control. The room where the woman spends most of the day, as well as the bedroom, must be regularly ventilated. It is recommended to avoid staying, even for a short time, in smoky, stuffy rooms.
  • Elimination of noise and loud sounds. A pregnant woman needs to limit watching television programs, films, avoid staying in noisy companies, refuse to listen to loud, rhythmic music. It is advisable to create dim lighting in the rooms, replace central lighting with local ones (floor lamps, sconces).
  • Daytime sleep. If the work schedule allows, the expectant mother should include daytime sleep (60 - 90 minutes) in the daily routine.
  • Elimination of physical and emotional fatigue. If possible, avoid stress, conflict situations, excessive fun or joy. A night's sleep of a pregnant woman should last at least 8 hours, when working that requires a long stay in one position (sitting at a computer, pulman), every 30 - 40 minutes, carry out a short physical warm-up (take a few steps, stretch, open / close hands).

Headache is common during pregnancy. But the doctor should not be ignored if it is repeated often and the intensity of the discomfort is significant.
Every discomfort during pregnancy imposes a particular responsibility on healthcare professionals. It is necessary not only to alleviate the suffering of the expectant mother, but also not to harm the baby. After all, most of the drugs negatively affect its growth and development.
Headache during pregnancy 1, 2, 3 trimester is removed ("treated") in the same way. But if in the usual time it was possible to get rid of it with any pill of anesthetic, now, before you take something, you need to think a hundred times.

The causes of headaches during pregnancy can be as follows:

  • changes in female hormonal levels that affect vascular tone;
  • bad habits and changes in diet (there are foods that provoke such pain. For example, some sweets, chocolate);
  • changes in the work of the nervous and cardiovascular systems;
  • increased sensitivity to climatic and weather conditions;
  • violation of posture due to an increase in the abdomen.

Headache is very diverse, so its treatment depends entirely on the type and cause of its occurrence.

Types of headaches during and outside pregnancy

1. Migraine. It is characterized by a one-sided appearance of unpleasant sensations and pulsation. Because of her, many women are deprived of the opportunity to do household chores, sleep, eat, and even maintain a conversation. For some expectant mothers, pain begins with flashes of light or circles in front of the eyes. Headache during pregnancy 1 trimester, if possible, should be treated non-drug, since almost any drug at such an early stage can provoke abnormalities in the development of the embryo and even spontaneous miscarriage. The main rules in migraine treatment are calmness, silence, sleep, fresh air and darkness. What specific remedy for headaches during pregnancy will help you - you need to figure out by trial and error. But you need to be prepared for the fact that the migraine sometimes lasts several days, however, the intensity of the pain decreases.

2. Headache caused by high or low blood pressure. Very often, pregnant women experience an increase in blood pressure, which leads to headaches. People suffering from hypertension, vegetative-vascular dystonia of the hypertensive type, must necessarily monitor their blood pressure, measuring it twice a day and recording the result. These data must be shown to your doctor for the possibility of subsequent examination and treatment. This recommendation is also mandatory for women, who often have high blood pressure with minimal emotional and physical stress.
If there is hypertension, it is possible to relieve a headache during pregnancy and at the same time to reduce pressure with the help of only one drug, approved for expectant mothers, called "Dopegit". A life-threatening reason to call an ambulance is a pressure above 150 per 100.
If the blood pressure is, on the contrary, low, there are many ways to get rid of a headache during pregnancy. For example, cleaning the house, doing laundry, taking a walk in the fresh air, drinking tea or coffee (you can have up to 2 cups a day), and eating. A pressure of 90 to 60 or less is considered low.

3. Tension headache. It is characterized by intense discomfort on both sides of the head and is more common in early or late pregnancy. In the early stages of pregnancy, an antispasmodic can be taken from the head in this case. For example "No-shpu". You do not need to be afraid of these pills, because they are very often prescribed with the threat of termination of pregnancy in the first weeks after conception. If you want to do without pills, you need to master several techniques of head massage. Should help relieve tension.

4. Taking some medicines. Many women begin to look for a way how and how to treat a headache during pregnancy in the 1st, 2nd, 3rd trimester, without first trying to find a provocateur of these sensations. But almost all expectant mothers take certain drugs, a side effect of which may be just a headache. For example, "Curantil" is a drug often prescribed to "thin" the blood and improve the blood supply to the fetus.

5. Problems with the spine, cervical spine. This possible reason should be considered by women who have had injuries. Although, they can be so insignificant or long-standing that they are not remembered. However, an X-ray of the cervical spine will need to be done to make an accurate diagnosis. Well, this is done after childbirth. In the meantime, headache can be relieved with paracetamol during pregnancy. This is a very good drug that is prescribed even to children with fever from the very first days after birth.

Seeking medical attention for headache during pregnancy in the 1,2,3 trimester

It so happens that during the period of carrying a child, conditions appear that require urgent specialist help. Sudden pain of a sharp nature that arose in the expectant mother can lead to cerebral hemorrhage and other serious consequences.

In particularly difficult cases, only premature birth can be the best treatment. And you need not think about what you can take for a headache in the 3rd trimester of pregnancy, but agree to an emergency caesarean section. Such a measure is sometimes necessary, for example, with rapidly developing gestosis. Its other symptoms are flashing of flies in front of the eyes, increased pressure, high concentration of protein in the urine according to the analysis result.
What pills can you drink for headaches during pregnancy in the early and late stages and preventive measures.

The first step is to properly organize your sleep and rest time. A pregnant woman, especially in the later stages, should sleep at least 8 hours. In addition, you also need to sleep during the day. Be sure to stay in the fresh air and exclude prolonged stay in front of the TV or computer.

In addition, hunger or thirst can provoke headaches, so you should eat well and properly.

To improve the well-being of a woman, you can listen to classical music, put on loose clothes, watch comedies, thereby creating a calm and pleasant atmosphere around you.

You should also prohibit smoking near you, both outdoors and indoors. Secondhand smoke will negatively affect the child and may cause discomfort. If all else fails, you need to think about what pills you can drink for headaches during pregnancy in the early and late stages and in what dosages. Naturally, before taking the drug, you must at least read the instructions for it, or rather, the section on contraindications. Many annotations will indicate pregnancy. But everything is not always so categorical. For example, there is more than one drug that you can safely drink for a headache in the 2nd trimester of pregnancy. For example, Paracetamol. And in a normal, not childish dosage. 1-2 tablets of 500 mg. Should help. By the way, these same tablets are drunk at elevated temperatures and even toothache. But the headache during pregnancy with citramone, another popular drug, should not be removed, since this drug contains caffeine.