Treatment And Prevention Of Headaches During Pregnancy

Headaches during pregnancy are common complaints by expectant mothers. You may experience headaches at any time throughout your pregnancy but they usually occur during the first and last three months.

The increase in hormone levels and blood volume in a pregnant woman's body are said to be responsible for headaches during pregnancy experienced in the first trimester. Stress, vision disorders and poor posture may aggravate the headaches. Other factors that can cause headaches during pregnancy include inadequate sleep, dehydration, low blood sugar, and withdrawal from caffeine.

In the third trimester of pregnancy, headaches are likely results of poor posture and the stress in the body brought about by the extra weight. There are some cases where the underlying cause of the headaches is a condition known as "preeclampsia", which is high blood pressure in pregnant women.

It is critical to consult your doctor before taking any pain relievers or medications for headaches. The ideal way to relieve headaches during pregnancy is to use natural remedies. Try the following tips below to ease headaches naturally:

* Get a rest. Lie down in a dark room. Relax yourself by taking deep breaths.
* Soak in a warm bath or shower with warm water.
* Massage is an effective way to relieve aches and pains. Ask your partner to massage your shoulders and neck to help ease your headache.
* Applying a warm compress around the nose and eyes helps relieve sinus headaches during pregnancy. For headaches caused by tension, place a cold compress at the base of the neck.
* Watch your blood sugar level. Eat more frequently but eat small meals.

Since prevention is always better than cure, avoid headaches during pregnancy by practicing good posture all throughout your pregnancy but most especially during the last three months. Mothers-to-be need plenty of relaxation and rest so be sure to rest as much as possible to prevent headaches. Additionally, daily moderate exercise and a well-balanced diet is important for everyone but more so for pregnant women. Being healthy is the best way to avoid or reduce common pregnancy complaints such as headaches.

Just like migraine attacks, headaches during pregnancy may be triggered by the following: alcohol, aged cheese, preserved meats, yogurt, chocolate, and peanuts. By avoiding or reducing intake of the items mentioned above, you may also minimize the occurrence of headaches.

While headaches during pregnancy are normal, you should seek medical attention if the headaches are persistent or if they are getting worse as your pregnancy progresses. You also need to contact your doctor if you get headaches along with swollen face and hands, blurred vision and pain in your abdomen.