During pregnancy, the state of a women’s body is constantly changing. And with change, many uncomfortable symptoms are coming, which often can’t be foreseen or prevented. One of the things that you may start experiencing is headaches during pregnancy. Headache that won’t go away can’t be super intolerable and stressful.
Also, some women that usually have problems with migraines experience a slight improvement during the gestation months. Pregnancy migraines are different from regular ones because the rise in estrogen levels helps ease the symptoms.
However, this is not the case for every woman, and many still have problems with them and headaches that won’t go away. If you are one of those women and would like to know if there is a solution to your problem and the best way to get rid of the headache while pregnant, continue reading this article to see our obstetrician’s advice here at Trogolo.
What Causes Migraine Headaches
The exact cause of migraines is unknown. Many theories say the leading causes are connected to various changes in neurochemicals and blood circulation in your brain.
Pregnancy migraines are slightly different as they, in most cases, have milder symptoms. It is because estrogen helps ease them, and the symptoms are often not as severe as usual. Alongside estrogen, serotonin also helps a lot; however, it’s not enough to be constantly happy for the symptoms to disappear.
Still, some women experienced worse migraine symptoms during pregnancy than before.
Migraine Triggers and How to Tackle Them
Even though pregnancy migraines are often not as troubling as the usual ones, they are still an unpleasant experience. Headache that won’t go away is never enjoyable, and that’s why you’ll want to be sure that you avoid triggering them.
Several things can activate migraines, and the best possible way to prevent these headaches that won’t go away is to avoid the known triggers.
The most common migraine triggers are:
- Stress and anxiety
- Insomnia and lack of sleep
- Insufficient water intake
- Skipper meals during the day
- Caffeine
- Alcohol
- Certain foods
- Additives in foods
- Weather
Many people have the same triggers, such as alcohol and caffeine, but these two shouldn’t worry you during pregnancy, as you should, by all means, avoid them.
However, you crave certain things during your baby-carrying months, like chocolate, that often trigger these headaches that won’t go away. So, you should be aware that most sweet treats can set off a migraine, as they contain chocolate, various food additives, and artificial sweeteners.
Most expectant mothers don’t avoid caffeine and stick to at least one cup of Joe every day, which can also activate pregnancy migraines. So, keep that in mind if you love your daily dose of caffeine.
It’s always helpful to write down any trigger that happens to you. This is not the best way to get rid of the headache while pregnant, but it’s the best way to track your migraines’ triggers. Start by writing down what you ate during the last 24 hours before the symptoms and what you drank. Be sure also to notice how the weather was that day. And by doing that, you’ll be able to get to know yourself better and avoid potential bad headaches during pregnancy.
While tracking the triggers, you can also write down any symptoms you are experiencing. Write down the intensity of the headache and where the pain was concentrated. It is critical to notice if you felt nausea and if you vomited. Also, write down any sensitivity to light, noise, or smell you had while the migraine lasted.
It may seem like a lot of work to do everything above, especially when experiencing a headache that won’t go away, but don’t avoid it. Of course, you can write everything down once all of the symptoms stop. And be sure to remember every tiny detail, as it can be of great importance for your doctor when deciding on your specific treatment.
Tests for Pregnancy Migraines
If you only experience headaches during pregnancy and never had migraines, you should get tested if you have unbearable symptoms. This way, you’ll be sure that the problem, in fact, is migraines, and you’ll get the appropriate treatment.
When diagnosing a condition like this, you should do several tests. But, diagnosing pregnancy migraines is specific as you can’t perform any scans and radiology tests. That’s when the notes you’ve taken come in place. The notes of triggers and symptoms you made alongside your medical history can help the doctor when making a diagnosis.
Additionally, your healthcare provider should exclude the possibility of preeclampsia before diagnosing migraine. Preeclampsia is a severe pregnancy condition, and headaches that won’t go away are one of the symptoms.
Treatments for Migraines
It’s hard to say the best way to get rid of headaches while pregnant, as all women are different. The one thing in common is that, in general, medication should be avoided during pregnancy, except when the symptoms are unbearable. And in those cases, you shouldn’t take anything without the supervision of your doctor.
Most drugs used for treating migraine are not safe for the baby, and many of them have been associated with complications during pregnancy, premature labor, and congenital disabilities in babies.
You can use acetaminophen to soothe the pain, as it’s not considered a high-risk drug during pregnancy. However, you’ll also want to talk to your healthcare provider before taking it. Any other pain relievers are not safe to use when carrying a child.
How to Help Yourself
The best way to get rid of the headache while pregnant, alongside avoiding triggers, is to adjust your lifestyle to healthy habits.
It would help if you focused on healthy and well-nourished foods and a well-balanced diet. It would be best to avoid alcohol, caffeine, and chocolate for your well-being and your baby’s. Don’t forget to drink a lot of water, and you can include some herb teas in your routine.
The best way to lead a healthy life is to get as much rest as possible and sleep enough. You can try practicing meditation and breath exercises as they can help you when you can sense the painful headaches are coming.
And once they occur, you can try massaging specific points on your head to ease the pain and rest in a quiet place. Putting ice-cooling packs on your forehead or other spots on your head can aid you.
Final Words
A condition like this is never a good thing, especially during pregnancy, while experiencing other symptoms and changes to and in your body. To ensure you and your baby are safe and healthy, you’ll need to avoid any common triggers and be sure to apply preventative care.
At Trogolo Obstetrics and Gynecology, we have only one goal: to make sure every woman and her child is healthy and satisfied. So, if you are still not sure how to cope with a condition like this, we are here to help you. We can aid you and advise you on managing your symptoms successfully and enjoying your pregnancy carefree. Call us today and book your appointment with us; we will be happy to assist you.
