Answer

It's not unusual to get tension headaches when you're pregnant, especially in the first trimester. Tension headaches (which can feel like a squeezing pain or a dull ache on both sides of the head or the back of the neck) are the most common kind of headaches. If you've always been susceptible to them, pregnancy can make the problem worse. Experts don't know exactly why carrying a child tends to make your head ache more often, but good guesses include the hormonal free-for-all your body is undergoing and changes in the way your blood circulates. Going cold turkey on caffeine can also make your head pound. Other potential culprits include lack of sleep or general fatigue, sinus congestion, allergies, eyestrain, stress, depression, and hunger or dehydration.

Migraine headaches are a different story. Migraines are a type of vascular headache that occurs when the blood vessels in your brain constrict and then dilate. Most people describe them as a severe throbbing pain usually on just one side of the head and often accompanied by nausea and vomiting. Experts estimate that about one in five women experience a migraine headache at some time in their lives, and about 15 percent of migraine sufferers get them for the first time in pregnancy (most commonly in the first trimester). But about two-thirds of women who are prone to migraines notice that they improve during pregnancy (probably because their migraines are caused by hormonal changes during their menstrual cycle); others notice no change or find these painful episodes becoming more frequent and intense.

For most women, pregnancy headaches tend to diminish and even disappear by the second trimester, when the flood of hormones stabilizes and the body grows accustomed to its altered chemistry.

What can I do to relieve the pain?
Most headache medications, such as aspirin and ibuprofen, as well as most prescription migraine drugs, are not recommended for pregnant women. Consult your practitioner about which ones you can take if you're prone to severe migraines. Acetaminophen is safe to take as directed on the label. Here are a few more suggestions to help you ward off headaches or relieve them once you have one:

Figure out what's triggering the pain
Do you get a pounding headache after being cooped up in a hot, stuffy office all day? Then take periodic fresh air breaks. Are your headaches linked to arguments with your partner or power struggles with the kids? Then think of ways to defuse these situations or your frustration before they cause you physical pain. If exhaustion is a trigger for you, try to build naps into your schedule. If reading causes eyestrain and headaches, have your glasses checked. Headache docs often recommend keeping a "headache diary," (writing down anything you've eaten in the 24 hours preceding the onset of the migraine and what you were doing when it started) to help identify specific triggers.


Use compresses
For tension headaches, apply a warm or cool compress to your forehead or the base of your neck. Cold compresses tend to work best for migraines.


Take a shower
A simple but effective remedy for some migraines, a cold shower works by constricting the dilated blood vessels, often bringing fast, if brief, relief. If you can't take a shower, splash some cool water on your face. A warm shower or bath can be soothing for tension headaches.


Get a massage
If you have the time and money, by all means get a full-body massage from a trained therapist. But if that's only a pipe dream, ask your partner to rub your back and head, or slip into a salon for a professional shampoo. Massage works especially well on headaches caused by tension that builds in the neck, shoulder, and back muscles.


Keep your stomach full
Low blood sugar is a common headache culprit. Eating smaller, more frequent meals can help prevent them. If you're on the go, keep some snacks (crackers, fruit, yogurt) within reach. Avoid straight sugar, like candy, that can cause your blood sugar to spike and crash. And don't forget to drink plenty of water to stay well hydrated as well.


Avoid fatigue
Try to make room for naps in your day. If you're having a migraine, try to sleep it off in a quiet, dark room.

Get some exercise
Some evidence shows that regular exercise can reduce the frequency and severity of migraines and reduce the stress that can cause tension headaches. But get started slowly, since a sudden burst of activity could trigger a migraine.


Try relaxation techniques
Meditation, yoga, and biofeedback are helpful in reducing stress and headaches in some sufferers.

Consider acupuncture
Needle acupuncture treatment is considered safe during pregnancy and may be effective for headaches, according to the National Institutes of Health. Ask for the names of acupuncturists from your healthcare provider and keep her posted on your treatments. If you'd like to see a practitioner who's also an M.D., try the American Academy of Medical Acupuncture, at (XXX) XXX-XXXX.


Can a headache be a sign of something more serious?
In some cases, yes. Though most headaches during pregnancy are unpleasant but harmless, they can be a sign of a more serious problem. If you're having a migraine for the first time ever, you'll need a full medical evaluation to be sure nothing else is going on. And, in the second or third trimester of pregnancy, a headache could be a sign of severe preeclampsia, a serious pregnancy-induced syndrome that includes high blood pressure, protein in the urine, and other changes.

When should I call my healthcare provider?
Call your practitioner right away if:
• You're in your second or third trimester and have a bad headache or a headache for the first time (which may or may not be accompanied by visual changes, sharp upper abdominal pain, sudden weight gain, or swelling your hands or face). You'll need your blood pressure and urine checked right away to be sure you don't have preeclampsia. (If you've been having any problems with high or rising blood pressure, call even if you have a mild headache.)

• You have a sudden "explosive" headache, violent pain that awakens you from sleep, a headache that doesn't go away, or one that feels unlike any you've ever experienced before.

• Your headache is accompanied by a fever and a stiff neck.

• Your headache is getting worse, and you experience any other problems such as blurry vision or other visual disturbances, slurred speech, drowsiness, numbness, or a change in normal sensation or alertness.

• You have a headache after falling and hitting your head (or had any other kind of head injury).

• You have nasal congestion and pain and pressure underneath your eyes or other facial or even dental pain. You might have a sinus infection that will need to be treated with antibiotics.

Even if you've had headaches before, talk about your pregnancy headaches with your healthcare provider, so she can decide what kind of evaluation and treatment might be best for you during your pregnancy. If you're a migraine sufferer, you won't be able to take most of the medications you've taken before; ask your caregiver before taking any medication other than acetominophen. Also, if you feel like your eyes are straining and notice that you get headaches after reading or looking at your computer screen, visit your eye doctor to have your vision checked. Finally, don't hesitate to call whenever a headache just has you worried.

source: babycenter.com