Headaches

Most expectant mothers experience headaches, especially during the first 3-months of pregnancy when hormones flood your body.  They can also return in the last 3-months when posture and stress may trigger muscular pain.  Headaches may even be an indication that there is a significant health problem we need to investigate.

Frisco Midwifery & Birth Center has created this resource to help you understand what’s going on with your pregnancy, and offer you some evidence-based options to help you manage headaches.  

Why do you have headaches?

Headaches may be triggered by lack of sleep, low blood sugar and poor nutrition, dehydration, caffeine withdrawal, stress, posture changes, and hormones.  Headaches may also be a symptom of very serious pregnancy-related health issues (in about 10% of pregnancies) called pregnancy induced hypertension and/or preeclampsia.  

Our goal is to help you avoid headaches with healthy lifestyle choices and treat headache pain in the most natural and effective ways possible.

First-Trimester Headaches

Your body is being drenched with hormones, and the physical changes they are triggering are nothing short of amazing.  Those life-supporting hormones are the most likely cause of your first-trimester headaches.  The best remedies for these early-headaches are: sleep well, eat well, hydrate well, support your fitness with daily exercise, chiropractic care as needed, and acupuncture.  See the list of other pain management techniques.  

Third-Trimester Headaches

Headaches at the end of pregnancy are often caused by the posture shift as your body compensates for your baby-bulge.  They can also be related to the increased fluid levels in your body, hormone changes, stress, and blood pressure issues.

We have listed some recommendations to help with these most typical headaches.  Please pay special attention to the section on “when to call your midwife.”  

Avoiding Headaches

The easiest way to deal with headaches at anytime in pregnancy is to avoid them altogether.

·    Practice good posture

·    Take prenatal yoga

·    Exercise daily

·    Get regular chiropractic care

·    Get plenty of sleep

·    Practice daily meditation or guided relaxation

·    Eat 80-grams of protein daily

·    Drink ½ your weight in ounces of water daily

·    Maintain your blood sugar by eating healthy snacks that include protein throughout the day

 Treating Headache Pain

Pain relief medications including aspirin and ibuprofen are not recommended in pregnancy because of the risk of bleeding.  In some cases, minimal use of acetaminophen (Tylenol) may be acceptable, but talk with your midwife first.  Some research shows an increased risk of autism for the newborn.  Try these non-medical pain management suggestions first:

Natural Pain Management Strategies

Even if you are diligent with the diet, exercise, rest and therapeutic recommendations above, you may experience pregnancy-related headaches.  These pain management strategies may be helpful:

·    Chiropractic Care

·    Heat or cold packs on your head

·    Take a warm shower or bath

·    Massage 

·    Acupuncture

·    Essential Oil remedies:  Avoid peppermint.  There are several blends we can recommend.  It is very important to only use the highest quality, therapeutic oils during pregnancy.

Call your Midwife if:  

o You do not experience any relief from the remedies above

o Your headaches get worse or are more persistent

o The headaches are different than normal

o You have blurry vision with your headache

o You have suddenly gained weight

o You have swelling in your hands or face

o You have pain in the upper part of your abdomen on the right