Why headache during pregnancy

On the bright side, at least for those already prone to migraines: Surging hormones during pregnancy might actually make those less-than-pleasant headaches less frequent. As for when pregnancy headaches will end, it depends on what's causing them in the first place. If the signs and symptoms of pregnancy itself — stress, fatigue, surging hormones, congestion — are a major cause, you will feel fast relief after delivery. While some headaches are probably unavoidable, a few steps now may help prevent them in the future.

Check out these tips so you can potentially stop an oncoming headache dead in its tracks:. Many women, even those who haven't previously experienced a lot of everyday headaches, will get them during pregnancy. But if your headaches persist for more than two or three hours or you have other symptoms fever, visual disturbances, sudden dramatic weight gain or puffiness in your face or hands , let your practitioner know right away.

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Headaches During Pregnancy. Medically Reviewed by James Greenberg, M. Medical Review Policy All What to Expect content that addresses health or safety is medically reviewed by a team of vetted health professionals. A common symptom of preeclampsia is a headache that will not go away. Some other symptoms include:. These symptoms do not occur in every case of preeclampsia, which is one of the reasons why it is important to check in regularly with a doctor throughout pregnancy.

Headaches during pregnancy can manifest in various ways. For example, they can cause different types and levels of pain. Medically speaking, headaches are either primary or secondary. Primary headaches are not a symptom of a health condition, whereas secondary headaches occur when an underlying condition is the cause.

Secondary headaches usually lead to a number of other symptoms. Tension headaches are the most common type of headache during pregnancy. Tension headaches cause mild-to-moderate pain in the head. Many people describe the pain as feeling as though they have a tight band around their head. Migraine headaches may also occur during pregnancy. A migraine headache often begins as a dull ache that grows into a piercing, throbbing pain, which may or may not radiate. A person may also be very sensitive to light, noise, and some smells.

Migraine episodes might also cause other symptoms, such as dizziness or nausea. Cluster headaches are rarer than other types, occurring in an estimated 0. A person may also notice some other symptoms, such as nasal congestion, watery eyes, or swelling in the area. In many cases, home remedies can help soothe a primary headache during pregnancy. Some home remedies that may be effective include:. Keeping a food journal to track what they eat each day may also help a woman identify and eliminate any headache triggers.

If possible, pregnant women should aim to manage any unpleasant symptoms with home remedies or talk to their doctor about medical options, if necessary.

During pregnancy, it is essential to avoid over-the-counter nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs NSAIDs , such as ibuprofen Advil or aspirin. A review in the Annals of Epidemiology notes that women who take NSAIDs while pregnant are more likely to give birth to babies with congenital abnormalities. Some women take acetaminophen Tylenol while pregnant, although there is a concern that this may also affect the baby.

A recent study in the journal JAMA Psychiatry found that children born to women who take acetaminophen during pregnancy are more likely to be autistic or have attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Secondary headaches are a caused by a complication in the pregnancy, such as high blood pressure. Tension headaches are common in the first trimester of your pregnancy. This may happen because your body is undergoing several changes at this time. These changes may trigger headache pain:.

Some foods may also cause headaches. Your trigger foods may change during pregnancy. Common foods that may cause headaches in some people include:. Headaches during your second or third trimester of pregnancy may be a sign that you have high blood pressure. About 6 to 8 percent of pregnant women ages 20 to 44 in the United States have high blood pressure.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention CDC warns that this treatable condition can cause serious complications for both mother and baby.

This is most common after week 20 of pregnancy. Your doctor may prescribe medication to treat your high blood pressure. Regular exercise is also very important to help balance your blood pressure. Talk to your doctor before taking your regular headache pain medication during pregnancy. The CDC warns that these pain relief drugs can be harmful to your growing baby, especially if taken during the first trimester. Many women may take acetaminophen Tylenol during pregnancy.

However, some studies suggest there may be effects from taking acetaminophen as well. Your doctor can recommend alternative medications to treat headache during pregnancy and natural headache remedies, such as:.

See your doctor if you have any headache pain at all during pregnancy. Get urgent medical attention if you have:. Your doctor may recommend tests and scans to find out the cause of your headaches. These include:. Headache pain during pregnancy is common. You may have tension headaches during your first trimester of pregnancy.

Headache pain may happen in the second and third period of your pregnancy for other reasons.