Headaches During Pregnancy!

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Headaches

Headaches During Pregnancy

Although we don't actually know what causes headaches in general, because migraines and tension-type headaches (which are the most generally seen form of headache) come along far more often in women than they do in men, it's reasonable to assume that hormones play a role in triggering headaches. It is no surprise therefore to ascertain that during pregnancy, when hormone levels are changing dramatically, headaches are a common happening. It's also not surprising to find that headaches which are really prevalent at the start of pregnancy incline to tail off during the 2nd and 3rd trimesters when hormone levels start to steady down.

As luck would have it we seldom have to permit headaches to annoy us these days and there'sa good deal that we can do to prevent them in the first place and to care for them once they arrive.

One common trigger for headaches is stress and this is something which most women will go through during pregnancy. This is one reason why gentle exercise and some form of quiet daily meditation are often suggested for pregnant mothers.

Another common trigger is a lack of sleep and so getting suitable rest is also all-important as fatigue can not only produce a headache but can also lead to more serious headaches. Here however it's important to acknowledge that you need to not only get the correct amount of sleep but also to get regular and relaxing nightly sleep. If you are feeling tired during the day then by all means take a short nap but don't throw out your routine so that you are then not able to sleep at night.

Drinking alcohol during pregnancy can be a touchy subject with some people saying that you shouldn't drink alcohol at all while others are saying that alcohol in moderation is fine. Of course this then leads on to a discussion about just what is meant by 'moderation' but we don't need to go there at the moment. As far as headaches are concerned the point to remember is that, if you do drink, then you should be careful to avoid drinks which are likely to cause a headache. Red wine for instance can bring on a headache in many people even when consumed in rather small amounts.

Another common trigger for headaches is caffeine and you should cut back on your intake of both tea and coffee. If you're one of those women who likes to begin the day with a double-strength latte then pregnancy is a good time to switch back to just a small regular cup of coffee to start out your day.

On the issue of caffeine it's also worth mentioning that some common headache medicines in reality contain caffeine because, in small quantities, it can be helpful. However, if you're using such medications and drinking caffeine at the same time you could make matters worse rather than better, so read the labels on all medicines carefully before taking them for a headache.

In conclusion, on the subject of medication it's commonly agreed that paracetamol and similar medication is suitable during pregnancy but that both aspirin and ibuprofen should be avoided. If however you are in any doubt about medication, and particularly about such things as migraine medicines then you had better play safe and confer with your doctor.