When a woman has a headache during pregnancy, it is important that she tells her doctor right away. A severe headache can be a warning sign of preeclampsia, a pregnancy-related disorder that can cause serious health problems for both mom and baby.
Fortunately, most headaches during pregnancy are not harmful for the pregnant woman or her unborn child. The causes vary by trimester and can include many things from stress to sleep interruptions to low blood sugar.
Migraines
If you are already prone to migraines, chances are they get worse during pregnancy. This is because the squeezing pressure of the uterus on the stomach and blood vessels often triggers the headaches. These throbbing pains usually affect one side of the head and can last from four to 72 hours. Sometimes, they come with a visual aura and nausea.
Hormonal headaches are most common in the first trimester, and they can occur at any time of day. They are especially common in the morning, and they may last all day. They can be caused by dehydration or by a change in the mother’s hormone levels, says Rebekah Mustaleski, CPM, a certified professional midwife and compression director at Motif Medical.
These throbbing pains are most common in the back of the head and neck, but they can also occur on the face and temples. They are usually not as intense as other types of headaches, but they are persistent and can be a sign of a more serious problem, such as preeclampsia or sinusitis. If the headaches persist, ask your OB/GYN about taking medication. Generally, over-the-counter doses of acetaminophen (Tylenol) are OK for pregnant women, but your doctor will recommend avoiding other pain relievers that could be harmful to the baby. If the pain is too much, try a hot or cold compress, relaxing exercises, acupuncture or a prenatal massage.
Tension headaches
Pregnancy is a magical time, but you’re probably not surprised to hear that it comes with its fair share of discomforts. Morning sickness, back pain and breast tenderness are a few that come to mind, but headaches aren’t usually far behind. Early pregnancy headaches, also known as tension or sinus headaches, are fairly common, particularly during the first trimester when your hormone levels fluctuate and you’re experiencing more stress. Some women experience their first migraines during pregnancy, too.
Whether or not you get them, it’s important to tell your doctor about your headaches. This will help them determine if they are a normal symptom of pregnancy, if there’s something wrong with your health or if you need to take medication.
If you have a severe, throbbing headache in the second or third trimester of pregnancy, it could be a sign of preeclampsia, a condition that causes high blood pressure and can lead to serious complications. If your symptoms include blurry vision, weight gain of more than a pound in one day, swelling in your hands or feet and nausea, make an appointment with your ob-gyn right away.
Cluster headaches
You may be prepared for the morning sickness, back pain and breast tenderness, but a throbbing head might come as a surprise. The good news is that most headaches aren’t a problem, especially if you had them before pregnancy, but some can be a sign of other health problems, such as sinusitis or HELLP syndrome (hemolysis elevated liver enzymes and low platelet count).
Tension-type headaches cause mild to moderate pain in the forehead, temples or the back of the head. They can also cause neck pain. Migraines, on the other hand, cause intense, throbbing pain that often occurs on one side of your head. They can make you sensitive to light, sound and smells.
Cluster headaches are less common, but can be very severe and happen around the eyes and temples, typically at the same time every day, over a period of weeks to months. These painful attacks occur when a nerve pathway in the brain that sends pain signals is suddenly activated, and they seem to be linked to circadian rhythms.
Some women who have these headaches have a single attack, while others have them for years at a time, sometimes even after childbirth. These headaches can be triggered by a variety of things, including stress, alcohol, caffeine, food and changes in sleep patterns. If you experience a sudden, severe headache or if it is accompanied by blurred vision, numbness or a stiff neck, contact your doctor right away.
Other headaches
Headaches are very common in pregnancy, and most aren’t harmful for mom or baby. But it’s important to tell your doctor about all headaches, especially those in the first trimester. If a headache is very bad or doesn’t go away, call your midwife, doctor or the hospital maternity unit right away. It may be a sign of gestational hypertension, or high blood pressure caused by pregnancy.
It’s also worth noting whether your headaches get worse, change in intensity or are accompanied by other symptoms. For instance, if a headache is paired with blurry vision or pain in the upper abdomen, it could be a sign of preeclampsia, a condition that can cause problems for mother and child. Other symptoms of this condition include abdominal pain, slurred speech and swelling in the face or hands.
For most women, a primary headache — such as tension or cluster headaches — is unlikely to change during pregnancy. But if you have secondary headaches that are caused by other health conditions, such as sinusitis, those may worsen while you’re pregnant. Ask your doctor for advice on safe medications to take and about other ways to reduce a headache, such as using hot or cold compresses, drinking plenty of water, getting enough sleep and trying cognitive behavioral therapy or biofeedback. These are techniques that teach you to control bodily functions like muscle tension and heart rate.
