Headaches are one of the most common complaints during pregnancy, especially during the first and third trimesters. They may occur more frequently in pregnant women due to hormone surges, increased circulating blood volume, changes in posture and stress. It is best to treat a headache while pregnant without medication, although some medications are considered safe for use during pregnancy and are useful as a last resort. Call you doctor to report any new or severe headache, especially if the pain is accompanied by changes in vision or other symptoms.
Step 1
Rest at the first sign of a headache. Go to a dark, quiet room and lie down with your eyes closed for at least 20 or 30 minutes. If resting is not possible, try to find five or more minutes to sit in a quiet place with your eyes closed and your body relaxed.
Step 2
Apply a warm compress to your eyes, temples and forehead for 20 minutes to relieve headache. If warm compresses do not help, switch to cold compresses on the back of your neck. Alternating between the two may also help.
Step 3
Ask your partner for a massage of your neck and shoulders. This is especially beneficial if your headache is due to tension.
Step 4
Drink extra fluids to treat headaches caused by mild dehydration. If you find yourself sweating more than usual during pregnancy, you may be losing more fluids than your body is used to. Sip on cool water throughout the day to keep your fluid levels up.
Step 5
Eat five or six smaller meals over the course of each day instead of three larger meals. Eating more often can help stabilize your blood sugar levels and prevent and treat headaches. It may also help minimize other common pregnancy problems, such as gas and heartburn.
Step 6
Take over-the-counter acetaminophen if you must take medication to treat your pregnancy headache. Do not take aspirin, ibuprofen or any other medication unless specifically told to do so by your doctor. Call your doctor if your headache does not respond to over-the-counter treatment.
Tips and Warnings
- Getting extra sleep and practicing relaxation exercises during pregnancy can help prevent headaches in some women. Some pregnant women find their headaches diminish when they avoid common triggers, such as chocolate, yogurt, peanuts, sour cream, preserved meats, alcohol and fresh breads.
- Headaches that develop in the third trimester, especially those that occur along with blurred vision, fatigue, nausea, abdominal pain and shortness of breath, require immediate medical attention. They may indicate the presence of pre-eclampsia, a condition of high blood pressure during pregnancy.
Things You'll Need
- Warm compress
- Ice pack
- Over-the-counter acetaminophen
