Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Stages

Are headaches normal during pregnancy? What you need to know

By

During your time of joy and anticipation for your little one’s arrival, you might encounter a few bumps along the way. The next nine months, give or take, are sometimes marked with morning sickness, swollen feet, odd cravings, and… headaches?

Thus, you might wonder what causes headaches during pregnancy and most importantly, how to deal with them. So, we present to you some possible causes, symptoms to watch out for, and of course, some safe remedies.

Recommended Videos

Are headaches normal during pregnancy?

Many women suffer from headaches during pregnancy, which is not out of the ordinary. Whether you’re experiencing an occasional tension headache or a migraine, this malady is quite common, especially during the first and third trimesters. However, that doesn’t take away from the fact that they are bothersome. Fortunately, for each cause, you’ll find a remedy that’s safe for you and your baby.

Related

What causes headaches during pregnancy?

During the first trimester, the changes that your body goes through contribute to more frequent headaches. With hormone levels fluctuating and your blood volume increasing, your head is bound to hurt.

As your pregnancy progresses, headaches can get worse due to a shift in posture that causes a sore neck and back. Also, other factors contribute to the cause such as:

  • Withdrawal from caffeine
  • Dehydration
  • Stress
  • Inconsistent sleep patterns
  • Low blood sugar

Overall, the bodily changes and dietary alterations seem to be the biggest contributors to headaches. Regardless of the cause, there are different avenues toward relief—all of which are safe for your baby.

Which medications are safe to use during pregnancy?

Pinpointing the cause is just the first step towards relief. Luckily, there are a few over-the-counter medications that are safe when the smallest required dose is taken and only when absolutely necessary. These include:

  • Acetaminophen (Tylenol)
  • Diphenhydramine (Benedryl-helps with sinus and sleep issues)
  • Guaifenesin (Mucinex-also helps with sinus headaches)

Also, you’ll need to remember not to take the multi-symptom or extra-strength form of these medications since the added substances and consistency could harm the baby. Plus, your provider might have other suggestions for safe remedies as well.

pregnant woman strengthening back
Image used with permission by copyright holder

How to treat a headache using natural means

In addition to medicine, your doctor might have some ideas for natural remedies. Some possibilities include:

  • Applying an ice pack to the top of your head and the back of your neck
  • Applying a warm (not hot) heating pad around the eye and nose area for sinus headaches
  • Avoiding migraine triggers such as chocolate and hard cheese
  • Taking a relaxing, warm shower
  • Stretching your back and neck while doing some deep breathing

Sometimes a combination of these measures can work to alleviate your headache and help you to feel more comfortable.

Additionally, you can take further any of the following measures to relieve or prevent headaches such as:

  • Working on your posture especially during the third trimester
  • Eating a well balanced diet
  • Drinking plenty of water to avoid dehydration
  • Get plenty of sleep at night

When taking these steps, you’ll find that headaches occur less frequently and are less severe.

obstetrician talking with patient
Image used with permission by copyright holder

When to contact the doctor

While most headaches during pregnancy result from “normal” causes and can be easily treated, others signal more concerning conditions. In a review published by The Obstetrician and Gynaecologist, Dr. Kirsty Revell states that women who have consistently experienced migraines face an increase risk of pre-eclampsia. This condition is manifested by high blood pressure and a loss of protein in the urine. It can also lead to complications during childbirth.

Another condition that presents itself with headaches is cerebral venous thrombosis. This increase of pressure in the brain stems from a blood clot that forms in the cerebral sinuses. While most situations involving a headache are not either of these conditions, you should consult with your practitioner if you are wondering if your headache during pregnancy is a normal physiological change or something else.

So, are headaches normal during pregnancy? As you can see, the answer is a yes in the vast majority of cases. Fortunately, you and your healthcare provider, as a team, can navigate this issue to figure out some steps toward relief and maybe even some preventive practices. That way, you can treasure this special time of preparing for delivery day, which also brings its own end to the headache situation.

Editors’ Recommendations

Topics
Leslie Anderson
Leslie Anderson
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Leslie Anderson is a freelance writer/writing coach from Roswell, N.M. She enjoys gardening, cooking, and helping students…
Your third trimester of pregnancy: What to expect before baby’s arrival
How to prepare for those last few months of pregnancy
Pregnant woman cradling baby bump

Pregnancy is an exciting time, but many women begin to feel an array of emotions as they approach the third trimester. The third trimester brings everyone one step closer to having a new baby in the house. Not only does the body continue to go through a lot of changes in the third trimester, but the baby will also experience significant development at this time.
While this is an exciting time it can also be a bit stressful for any expectant mother, leading to feelings of anxiousness and nervousness. Pregnancy can take a toll on a woman's mental and physical health so it's important she continues to prioritize her care throughout her pregnancy. Here's some of what mothers-to-be can expect during the final weeks of pregnancy and how to prepare for labor and delivery.

When is the third trimester?

Read more
Do pregnancy tests expire? What you should know
Find out if you should use one past the expiration date
Woman excited at pregnancy test

From over-the-counter medicines to things in your fridge, we worry about the expiration dates of items that go into our bodies. Some things you could get away with trying past the expiration date, but with others, you don't want to compromise on the quality. One of those items you don't want to play around with is a pregnancy test. Whether you want a positive or a negative result, you don't want that to fail you. Do pregnancy tests expire? Can you use a pregnancy past the expiration date? Here's what to know about how good the pregnancy test you have in the cabinet is.
When a pregnancy test expires

Have you noticed one on your bottled water? Everything has an expiration date. Yes, even a pregnancy test has an expiration date. Most pregnancy tests will last one to three years after the manufacturing date, some two to three years. That is a huge spread, sure, and an expired pregnancy test isn't something you want to hope is still good. To keep it safe, don't buy any tests that are a few months away from the expiration date. You can't take a test until you are a week late (with most), so there has to be some wriggle room.
Digital vs. non-digital tests
Are digital and non-digital tests the same when it comes to the expiration date? Yes. They both have a shelf life of the same time frame. There might be a difference in how you read the various tests, but both non-digital and digital pregnancy tests have expiration dates. Look at the bottom of the box and on the individual package to find it.
Get the most out of your pregnancy test

Read more
What are phantom kicks? Are they real or not?
How to know if you should worry if you feel phantom kicks
A mom holding a newborn

All kinds of things happen to a woman's body after giving birth. One that isn't as talked about very much is possible phantom kicking. Your little one has left the building, but you still feel an occasional pressure in your stomach that feels like a kick. Is that possible? What's going on in there? What are phantom kicks? This is what could be happening after giving birth if you swear you still feel a baby kicking in your stomach. 
What are phantom kicks?

Recovering after pregnancy is no joke, and sometimes things happen that they don't prepare you for in those classes or have in the books. If you swear you have felt your baby kick inside your stomach, but you're looking right at your baby sleeping peacefully right next to you — don't freak out. It is something that happens to women who have given birth sometimes. You aren't about to be the mother of an alien.

Read more