Headaches during pregnancy: how to relieve them
Headaches during pregnancy: where do they come from and how to relieve them?
Relatively common during pregnancy, headaches affect 10 to 15% of pregnant women, to varying degrees. Although they are often benign, headaches can be a sign of a complication and must therefore be monitored. When to worry in case of pain? How to relieve it?
Headaches in early pregnancy
Headaches or cephalgias must be distinguished from migraines , these intense headaches that generally only affect one side of the head and occur in the form of attacks. In the vast majority of cases, pregnancy does not cause migraines , and even tends to improve them over the months. Women with migraines may therefore continue to have a few migraines during the first trimester of their pregnancy , but they will tend to become less frequent or even disappear from the fourth month. "From 55 to 90% of women with migraines will see their symptoms improve during pregnancy," confirms the neurologist.
For non-migraine women who experience headaches in early pregnancy, these are often tension headaches, which are classic symptoms of pregnancy.
They are often associated with fatigue, nausea , vomiting and even dizziness. However, as with any symptom, if they become too intense and persistent , it is best to consult a doctor , who will be able to prescribe additional tests and possibly refer the patient to a specialist.
Severe and frequent headaches at the end of pregnancy, associated with nausea: be careful!
If headaches appear in the second half of pregnancy , are intense and associated with high blood pressure , visual disturbances , abdominal pain and nausea, they may be a sign of preeclampsia . " Preeclampsia affects 2 to 8% of pregnancies, and generally occurs after 20 weeks of amenorrhea," says the neurologist.
This is a pathology that can have serious consequences for the mother and the baby. Emergency care is then necessary. Pre-eclampsia is associated with an increase in blood pressure, greater than 140/90 mmHg, and proteinuria - i.e. a concentration of proteins in the urine - greater than 0.3 g/24 h.
Other possible causes of headaches during pregnancy
In much rarer cases, headaches during pregnancy can be a sign of a vascular problem or increased intracranial pressure.
Cerebrovascular problems
"Pregnancy promotes blood hypercoagulability , which increases the risk of thrombophlebitis , i.e. the formation of a blood clot in a vein," explains the neurologist. In 90% of cases, the vein in question is located in the calf or thigh. But when it affects a vein in the brain, it is called cerebral thrombophlebitis . The main symptom is then severe headaches. Cerebral thrombophlebitis is exceptional and affects around 15 to 20 pregnant women per 100,000.
Idiopathic intracranial hypertension
Idiopathic intracranial hypertension is a very rare complication of pregnancy. Its incidence in pregnant women does not exceed 1/870. It can occur in all three trimesters of gestation and seems to be mainly favored by: obesity, significant weight gain, polycystic ovary syndrome, thrombophilia and hyperfibrinolysis. It is linked to an increase in cerebrospinal fluid pressure , and the main symptoms are so-called "helmet" headaches, associated with vomiting and visual disturbances. Although serious, this pathology does not compromise the progress of the pregnancy or vaginal delivery .
How to relieve headaches when pregnant?
Natural remedies
Applying cold compresses or a washcloth soaked in cool water to the eyes, neck and nape of the mother-to-be can provide quite effective relief from tension headaches .
Massages of the upper back, trapezius, and neck and shoulders can also be very beneficial in reducing tension and relieving pain.
Relieving headaches: what medications should you take?
For women with migraine who continue to have attacks in early pregnancy, some anti-migraine medications are compatible with pregnancy, on the advice of the prescribing doctor. Whatever happens, and even more than usual, self-medication is absolutely contraindicated during pregnancy.
Prevention
By following a few simple lifestyle habits, headaches can be significantly reduced during pregnancy.
- Drink plenty of water: Dehydration is widely blamed for the onset of headaches. To limit the phenomenon, it is therefore essential that the mother-to-be drinks enough water.
- Reduce your caffeine intake: coffee, tea, colas and even chocolate can trigger headaches.
- Practice regular physical activity: sport reduces stress and tension, which can be the cause of headaches. Sports combined with relaxation and meditation techniques, such as relaxation or pilates, are particularly recommended. For those who are less sporty, walking is also a very good way to combat inactivity and limit stressful situations.
- Get enough sleep: Lack of sleep is one of the known triggers of headaches.
- Eat a balanced diet and reduce your sugar intake: one of the proven causes of headaches is elevated blood sugar levels. Limiting sugary foods and eating a balanced diet that emphasizes whole foods and high fiber is a good way to prevent headaches.
When to worry about a headache when pregnant?
Moderate headaches during pregnancy are common and should not be a cause for concern. However, they should prompt medical consultation in the following cases:
- headaches are intense and persist for more than three days,
- vision is affected ,
- when accompanied by high blood pressure , visual disturbances , ringing in the ears and/or nausea,
- in the presence of fever or a change in general condition,
- in case of disturbances of consciousness .
Migraine during pregnancy: girl or boy?
Contrary to what we sometimes hear, headaches during pregnancy do not give any indication of the sex of the baby . Having headaches is not more common depending on whether the unborn baby is a boy or a girl, let's be clear!
