Headaches in Pregnancy

Pregnancy can cause various changes, including problems like headaches and more frequent migraines. Dr. Bernadette Nazario-Lopez, MD, PharmD at Migraine and Headache Center of Florida in Altamonte Springs, Florida, can help if you suffer from headaches during pregnancy. She uses safe, effective treatments to reduce and prevent common causes of head pain. Call Migraine and Headache Center of Florida today or schedule a consultation online to benefit from Dr. Nazario-Lopez’s expert solutions to headaches in pregnancy.

What causes headaches in pregnancy?

Many  women experience headaches in pregnancy, especially early on when their bodies are going through significant changes.

Headaches during pregnancy can be secondary or primary. Secondary headaches stem from an underlying health condition, like high blood pressure (hypertension) or a sinus infection. Primary headache pain doesn’t have an underlying cause — the pain results directly from the headache. The majority of the headaches during pregnancy are primary.

Various things can cause headaches during pregnancy, including:

• Changing hormone levels
• Poor posture (especially in the third trimester)
• Increased blood volume in the first trimester
• Stress
• Morning sickness
• Dehydration from not drinking enough water
• Lack of sleep or poor quality sleep
• Poor nutrition
• Sinus infection
• Preeclampsia (high blood pressure in pregnancy)
• Thrombosis (blood clots in the brain)
• Eating foods that trigger migraines

Women who have migraines during their reproductive years are more likely to get migraines during pregnancy, especially during the 1st trimester. However, the majority of women with migraine, notice an improvement in these as their pregnancy progresses. 

Do I need to worry about headaches in pregnancy?

Most problems that cause headaches are easily managed by your primary care provider or OB/GYN. However, life-threatening conditions like preeclampsia and thrombosis require specialized care. You should always talk to your doctor if you experience any of the following symptoms:

• Persistent headaches
• Headaches getting progressively worse
• Headaches that don’t improve with home care
• Headaches you haven’t experienced before
• Blurry vision
• Pain in the upper-right abdominal region
• Swelling face and hands

It’s also vital to remember that the medicines you usually take for headaches might not be suitable for use during pregnancy. If you suffer from headaches in pregnancy, seek medical advice before taking any drug.

What can I do about headaches in pregnancy?

You can help reduce and prevent headaches in pregnancy by following these tips:

• Recognize and avoid your migraine triggers
• Maintain hydration by drinking 8-10 glasses of water daily
• Aim for eight hours of peaceful sleep every night
• Lie in a dark room during an attack
• Place a cold cloth over your head to reduce pain
• Cope with headaches better using cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) or biofeedback
• Work with a physical therapist for poor posture
• Undergo prenatal massage
• Track your headaches to identify changes

Your doctor will determine if hormones or other problems are causing your pregnancy headaches. If the pain indicates an underlying condition, they’ll also treat that to reduce the frequency of your headaches.

Dr. Nazario-Lopez has considerable experience helping women suffering from headaches in pregnancy. She offers safe, effective treatments to women with problems like migraines.

Call Migraine and Headache Center of Florida today or book an appointment online if you need help with headaches in pregnancy.