Headache is a very common health problem, almost every human being has to face. Fatigue, tension, physical or mental strain, hormonal changes or some other health related reasons are there behind it. Migraine is another type of intolerable headache that becomes common nowadays. Headache as well as migraine during pregnancy, become very common health problem among would be mothers. Especially if that woman is prone to headache then during these days, it could be horrible. Normally it happens during 1st and 3rd trimester and it is often accompanied by neck pain.
Headache during pregnancy is common at least in the 1st three months, due to presence of progesterone hormone. This hormone is much beneficial for relaxation of blood vessels and thus helpful in pregnancy. The level of progesterone remains higher during the early months. For that reason, the headache is almost vanished in the 2nd semester when changes in hormone levels regularize. However, the headache reappears in last three months of pregnancy, due to tension about the health of the unborn child. Depression, sinus congestion, hunger, thirst may also be responsible for headache in pregnancy. Little exercises and meditation, cold shower, cold compress, massage, acupuncture therapy may be beneficial to heal the pain.
Pain of Migraines is just miserable in this phase and it often associates with nausea, vomiting. It may continue from 1 hour to 72 hour if no medication is applied. Nevertheless, it is less troublesome to the women who normally have the worst pain during menstruation period. However, Headache during pregnancy is not fatal unless it is Migraine. Migraine Pain especially with aura, which includes numb feeling, problems with vision, weakness and slurred speech, is a matter to think. It may lead the patient to cardiac problems rather stroke or other severe health related problems. In these cases, would be mothers should be under a strict medical supervision.
Headache during pregnancy though common in first 3 months but if persists with the same intensity and regularity, in mid or late of pregnancy then it would be a matter of concern. Although in third and especially in 4th trimester of pregnancy, it could be due to high blood pressure or excretion of protein with urine. Generally, headache in these phases accompanied with sudden weight gain, acute pain in upper abdomen or swelled face, hands and legs. Whatever doctors should be informed immediately if there is any type of headache, whether severe or non-severe in these months.
Any over the counter headache medications or self-medication is not desired for headache during pregnancy. It may be harmful to the unborn baby as well as the mother. Before taking any type of medicine, especially aspirin or ibuprofen, always a medical practitioner should be asked. Acetaminophen drugs to the patients having severe headache, could be negotiable but only under medical supervision. It is always better to care rather cure. So would be mothers should always avoid the source of the trouble for the sake of her baby. The sources are like excessive noise, extreme cold or hot, strong odors, cigarette smoke. Processed foods, tasting salt, cultured dairy products, some fruits may also cause headache.