In many women, pregnancy can be accompanied by more or less unpleasant ailments, especially during the first trimester. Headaches are one of those common pains in pregnant women. Fortunately, in the majority of cases, they are mild, but some can signal more serious problems. How to recognize them and act accordingly?
Pregnancy, this marvelous event which turns life upside down but also greatly affects the body. It must be said that welcoming babies there cannot be done without arrangements! No wonder then, to see certain inconveniences such as headaches. Between 10 and 15% of pregnant women suffer from it regularly, and particularly during the first trimester. Depending on their nature, intensity, frequency, time of pregnancy and if they are accompanied by other symptoms, they may be harmless to the health of the mother-to-be and the child or more alarming.
Simple headache or migraine? Recognize the symptoms
In a third of cases, headaches in pregnant women are tension headaches, the most common form in the population, all sexes and ages combined. Headache is manifested by a sensation of pressure in the skull and moderate but constant pain on both sides of the head, from the forehead to the back of the neck. While unpleasant, they are not normally disabling. However, sometimes they can be accompanied by a slight intolerance to either noise or light. In contrast, headaches are not associated with nausea, vomiting or dizziness. They can last from 30 minutes to several hours.
Pregnancy or not, although they are frequently (wrongly) confused, headaches are distinguished from migraines. Migraines take the form of a severe, sharp, throbbing pain (a sensation of beating blood vessels), most often localized to only one side of the head and in the sinus area around the eye. Depending on the person, a migraine can be associated with other symptoms that are sometimes very debilitating, such as hypersensitivity to light, noise or odors, visual disturbances or even speech difficulties, but also nausea and vomiting. It makes movement and interaction very painful and can be very taxing, especially since a seizure can last from 12 to 24 hours, or even several days in the worst cases.
When should you worry?
Tension headaches like migraines are common during the first trimester, when other symptoms appear, such as nausea, the very frequent urge to urinate, or extreme fatigue. The mother-to-be's body and entire system adjusts to this new state and it doesn't happen overnight! These symptoms then tend to disappear and allow a more peaceful second and third trimester (although general fatigue and heavy back pain and legs can replace them). It is also a relief for migraine sufferers who experience a period of break in their attacks more than appreciable.
However, sometimes headaches persist or develop towards term. Throughout pregnancy, headaches should alert if they are sudden and very severe, if they last for several days, if the pregnant woman also has a fever and suffers from vomiting and / or dizziness. After 20 weeks of amenorrhea, if the headaches multiply and are accompanied by ringing or disturbed vision, they may be signs of preeclampsia (or toxemia of pregnancy), a common hypertension that affects 1 pregnancy out of 20. In both cases, you should consult a doctor without further delay.
Origin and causes of headaches during pregnancy
We repeat, pregnancy is a mess, so it's no wonder that the body has a little trouble adjusting at first. Hormonal changes are often the cause of headaches experienced in the first trimester. Once everything stabilizes for the baby to develop quietly, they are gone. The increased blood flow in response to the installation of the embryo can also cause headaches. And if being pregnant fills you with happiness, it can be accompanied by stress and fatigue, factors in themselves of headaches, but also generators of muscle tension, especially in the neck and shoulders, which can create or worsen headaches.
The causes can also be found in old drinking habits that you stop suddenly, such as caffeine or tobacco. In the case of smokers, the subject should be discussed with your doctor as soon as possible in order to agree on the best strategy for preserving your health and the health of the baby. Low blood sugar and dehydration are often behind headaches for much of the population, including pregnant women, especially if they suffer from nausea and vomiting that promotes dehydration.
Finally, the pain can originate in nasal and / or sinus congestion due to a potential infection. Consult your doctor for possible treatment. They can also come from ophthalmic fatigue, which arose due to prolonged exposure to screens, too low light or even a correction that is no longer sufficient. Don't hesitate to take stock of your perspective!
What treatments for headaches?
Soothing a headache is easier when you identify the source. Is it a pain related to tension in the neck from a bad posture? Or is it more because you have been exposed to a stressful environment or situation? Or maybe you didn't drink enough during the day?
In all cases, some very simple actions are often enough to calm and make headaches disappear:
- Try to take some fresh air for a few minutes, taking the time to breathe in and out. You can also walk a bit to activate your body and relax it.
- Find a quiet place away from noise and with light that is not aggressive (or no light at all), isolate yourself and put yourself in the position that is most comfortable for you at the time. Take a deep breath and relax. Don't hold back from sinking and taking a nap!
- Remember to hydrate yourself enough during the day and even when the headache appears. However, avoid ice-cold or too cold water.
- Gently massage your scalp, temples, forehead and neck to relax these areas.
- Place a cold compress on your forehead or neck depending on the area causing your headache.
- Let yourself be tempted by a chamomile tea which has calming virtues.
Among other solutions, alternative medicine and especially homeopathy can provide some relief. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist. The essential oils of lavender and peppermint can also act on head pain, but beware, they may not be recommended for some women. Consult a healthcare practitioner before using.
If the natural method is not effective and you opt for drug treatment, only Paracetamol is allowed during pregnancy. Be sure to respect the frequency and interval between shots. For any other treatment, it is imperative to consult your doctor who will choose a suitable medication.
Read also :
> How to get rid of acid reflux during pregnancy?
> Fatigue or discomfort during pregnancy, when to worry?
> Nausea during pregnancy: what remedies?
Headaches, how to prevent them?
Better safe than sorry, the saying goes. Even if they do not represent an impenetrable bulwark against headaches, certain good habits nevertheless make it possible to keep the most common ones away. On the diet side, hydrate yourself enough during the day, do not necessarily wait until you are thirsty to drink and give yourself a regular reminder if necessary. Avoid caffeinated drinks and heavy meals. Eat balanced meals and don't skip meals.
Even if you may not feel the need mentally, your body does need a rest to welcome your baby the way it should. As much as possible, get enough sleep at night and give yourself breaks during the day, to relax or even take a nap. Obviously, avoid stressful situations and take care of yourself on a daily basis, at home and at work.
However, maintain regular physical activity. If sports that are too violent are to be avoided, others, such as pilates, cycling (moderate), swimming (also moderate), yoga or simply walking, allow you to stay in shape and even to build muscle. more gentle and safe for baby. Sporting activity is good for the circulation of the blood, for oxygenating the brain and thus helps prevent headaches.