Headaches during pregnancy: possible causes
In principle, all types of headaches – such as migraines, tension headaches or cluster headaches – can occur in pregnant women. Triggers can be:
- Hormonal changes
- stress
- overexertion
- Tension in the shoulder and neck area
- too little exercise
- too little oxygen
- poor diet
- abstaining from caffeine
- Pregnancy-related illnesses (gestational hypertension, pre-eclampsia, sinus vein thrombosis)
Migraines during pregnancy
If you regularly suffered from migraines before pregnancy, the pregnancy-related hormonal changes can have a positive effect on the severity and frequency of attacks. According to the German Migraine and Headache Society (DMKG), migraines decrease in around 70 percent of women during pregnancy, at the latest towards the end of the third month. This is when the increased oestrogen levels have their relaxing effect. However, in most women, migraines recur after the birth due to the rapid drop in hormone levels.
Pregnant women with migraines do not generally have a higher risk of complications during pregnancy.
Headaches during pregnancy: what to do?
Non-drug measures for headaches and migraines
You can try to relieve headaches during pregnancy using one of the following methods. Not all of these measures have been scientifically studied in detail. Nevertheless, they can have a pain-relieving effect, depending on the individual:
- Relaxation methods (muscle relaxation, autogenic training, biofeedback)
- Acupuncture, acupressure
- massages
- Essential oils (peppermint oil)
- Warm foot bath
- Cold or warm washcloth on the forehead
Medication for headaches and migraines
Pregnancy does not completely rule out medication for headaches. Sometimes it may be necessary to relieve headaches during pregnancy with painkillers for the protection of the child and the well-being of the mother, for example if they are accompanied by severe vomiting. However, it is essential to consult your doctor before taking painkillers such as paracetamol, ibuprofen or acetylsalicylic acid (ASA). Which medicines are suitable for you depends, among other things, on which stage of pregnancy you are in. Some medications, such as the vasoconstrictor triptans (for migraines and cluster headaches), must not be taken by pregnant women under any circumstances, as they are harmful to the baby’s physical development.
Naturopathic remedies for migraines or headaches, such as butterbur, also pose a health risk for mother and child. They too should therefore only be taken after consultation with experienced doctors.
Detailed medical advice on drug treatment is also necessary if you are plagued by headaches while breastfeeding. Almost all migraine medication passes into breast milk.
Pregnant: preventing headaches
The following measures have a preventative effect so that headaches do not occur during pregnancy:
- Drink plenty of fluids
- a balanced, healthy diet
- plenty of exercise: sport, yoga
- Sufficient oxygen, fresh air
- regular sleep-wake rhythm
- Avoid stress
- Relaxation methods
- massages
Beware of unusually severe headaches during pregnancy!
If you experience unusually severe, persistent headaches during pregnancy (possibly with dizziness and nausea), you should consult a doctor immediately. The cause may be pregnancy-related illnesses that must be clarified by a doctor and treated if necessary
