Headaches While Pregnant

Headaches are common during the first 3 months of pregnancy.

Causes

The causes are not always known. These things may play a part:

• Changes in hormones
• Increase in blood volume
• High blood pressure in pregnancy
• Tension
• Stress
• Being hungry
• Poor eating habits
• Food items that some women are sensitive to. Some examples are:
  • Aged cheeses, such as cheddar
  • Aspartame (the artificial sweetener in NutraSweet)
  • Nuts and peanut butter
  • Soy sauce
  • MSG
  • Onions

Sinus headaches occur more often during pregnancy. That’s because hormone levels are higher. The hormones cause the mucous membranes to get stuffed up. It can be different with migraine headaches, though. For some women, these happen less often after the first trimester.

Severe headaches can be one of the signs of preeclampsia if they occur in late pregnancy.

• Severe swelling in the hands, face, ankles, or feet
• Blurry vision or spots before the eyes
• Feeling dizzy
• Feeling sick to your stomach, throwing up, and severe pain
• Pain in the top right part of your belly

• Fever of 100.4OF or higher
• Sore throat or earache
• Swelling, redness, or pus on any skin areas

• Rapid weight gain (more than 3 pounds a week in the 2nd trimester or more than 1 pound a week in the 3rd trimester)
• Swelling of the face, hands, ankles, or feet
• Pain in the upper right part of your abdomen

Self-Care

• Eat at regular times throughout the day. Don’t go hungry for a long time. Also, drink plenty of fluids.
• Rest in a quiet, dark room with your eyes closed.
• Avoid loud noises and crowds. Don’t strain your eyes.
• Get plenty of sleep at night. Take naps during the day, if you can.
• Relax. Picture a calm, soothing place. Breathe slowly and deeply.
• Massage the base of your neck with your thumbs. Start under your ears. Work to the middle of the back of your head. Then massage both temples gently.