During pregnancy, natural remedies for headaches may provide relief. Some strategies include applying cold compresses to the back of the neck, massage, and deep breathing, among others.Although Tylenol (acetaminophen) has long been believed safe for occasional use during pregnancy, some scientists have suggestedusing it with caution.These home remedies are attractive to many pregnant people because they are not only drug-free, but easy to use.This article presents some natural remedies for both treating and preventingheadaches during pregnancy.baona / Getty ImagesWhat Causes Headaches During Pregnancy?The exact cause of headaches during pregnancy is variable. Factors that may contribute include:Changing hormone levels and blood volume in the first trimesterStress, fatigue, or eyestrain can cause a dull headacheNasal congestion and runny nose common in early pregnancy may cause sinus headachesHunger and low blood sugar levels may trigger headachesPeople who suddenly stop their morning coffee and other caffeinated drinks may experience caffeine withdrawal headachesNausea and vomiting in early pregnancy can lead to dehydration, which can bring on a headacheHeadache Relief During PregnancyTry these ideas for relief when you have a pregnancy headache:For asinus headache, apply a warm compress around your eyes and nose.For atension headache, use a cold compress or ice pack at the base of your neck.Eat smaller, more frequent meals to maintain your blood sugar. This may even help prevent headaches.Get a prenatal massage, especially around your shoulders and neckRest in a dark roomPracticedeep breathingTake a warm shower or bathUse good posture, especially in the third trimesterPreventing HeadachesPreventing a headache from occurring in the first place is the ideal solution. This is especially true for people who suffer from migraines — although, the good news is that many people get relief from their migraines in the second and third trimesters.Here are some simple, lifestyle habits that a pregnant person can adopt to help stop head pain before it starts:Eat regularly.Skipping meals may trigger headaches for some people, so try to eat nutritious meals and snacks at regular intervals throughout the day. Choose whole, minimally processed foods, including fruits, vegetables,whole grains, low-fat dairy, lean proteins, andhealthy fats.Drink plenty of fluids.Being dehydrated may trigger headaches for some people, so drinking mostly water, along with other fluids, throughout the day may help prevent a headache from starting. During pregnancy, it is recommended that people consume 64 to 98 ounces (8 to 12 cups) of water daily.Include physical activity daily.Try walking, swimming, bike riding, or other moderate aerobic activity to help relax muscles, relieve stress, and improve circulation.Get regular sleep.Not getting enough sleep can contribute to headaches. Try to stick with consistent times to go to bed and wake up. Setting a bedtime routine—turning off electronic devices and doing something relaxing an hour before bed; sleeping in a dark, cool room—may helpimprove sleep.Manage stress.Along with exercise, tryyoga, deep breathing, biofeedback, or relaxation training to lower stress levels.Consider supplements.Although research is limited,coenzyme Q10, riboflavin, magnesium,vitamin D, and omega-3 supplements have been proposed to prevent headaches and migraines in particular.Talk with your healthcare provider about whether to consider trying these supplements and what dosage is recommended.For people who get migraine headaches,acupunctureandbiofeedbackhave been shown to be effective treatments for some people.You may also want to consider reducing work hours if needed and if possible to reduce fatigue and better manage sleep, exercise, diet, and stress levels.Always speak to your healthcare provider before taking any supplements or medications.When to See Your Healthcare ProviderIf you’re experiencing headaches regularly or having a severe headache, be sure to talk with your healthcare provider. If natural remedies aren’t providing enough headache relief, you can talk with your healthcare provider about possiblemedicationsto try.If your headaches get worse, involve new problems that mimic stroke, or are more persistent, seek evaluation right away.Dangerous Headaches in Pregnancy
During pregnancy, natural remedies for headaches may provide relief. Some strategies include applying cold compresses to the back of the neck, massage, and deep breathing, among others.
Although Tylenol (acetaminophen) has long been believed safe for occasional use during pregnancy, some scientists have suggestedusing it with caution.These home remedies are attractive to many pregnant people because they are not only drug-free, but easy to use.
This article presents some natural remedies for both treating and preventingheadaches during pregnancy.
baona / Getty Images
What Causes Headaches During Pregnancy?
The exact cause of headaches during pregnancy is variable. Factors that may contribute include:
Headache Relief During Pregnancy
Try these ideas for relief when you have a pregnancy headache:
Preventing Headaches
Preventing a headache from occurring in the first place is the ideal solution. This is especially true for people who suffer from migraines — although, the good news is that many people get relief from their migraines in the second and third trimesters.
Here are some simple, lifestyle habits that a pregnant person can adopt to help stop head pain before it starts:
For people who get migraine headaches,acupunctureandbiofeedbackhave been shown to be effective treatments for some people.
You may also want to consider reducing work hours if needed and if possible to reduce fatigue and better manage sleep, exercise, diet, and stress levels.
Always speak to your healthcare provider before taking any supplements or medications.
When to See Your Healthcare Provider
If you’re experiencing headaches regularly or having a severe headache, be sure to talk with your healthcare provider. If natural remedies aren’t providing enough headache relief, you can talk with your healthcare provider about possiblemedicationsto try.
If your headaches get worse, involve new problems that mimic stroke, or are more persistent, seek evaluation right away.
Dangerous Headaches in Pregnancy
7 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Bauer AZ, Swan SH, Kriebel D, et al.Paracetamol use during pregnancy—a call for precautionary action.Nat Rev Endocrinol. 2021;17(12):757-66. doi:10.1038/s41574-021-00553-7John Hopkins Medicine.Headaches in early pregnancy.Dixit A, Bhardwaj M, Sharma B.Headache in pregnancy: a nuisance or a new sense?.Obstet Gynecol Int. 2012;2012:697697. doi: 10.1155/2012/697697Negro A, Delaruelle Z, Ivanova TA, et al.Headache and pregnancy: a systematic review.J Headache Pain. 2017;18(1):106. doi: 10.1186/s10194-017-0816-0American Academy of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.How much water should I drink during pregnancy.Airola G, Allais G, Castagnoli Gabellari I, Rolando S, Mana O, Benedetto C.Non-pharmacological management of migraine during pregnancy.Neurol Sci. 2010;31 Suppl 1:S63-S65. doi:10.1007/s10072-010-0276-7Ariyanfar S, Razeghi Jahromi S, Togha M, Ghorbani Z.Review on Headache Related to Dietary Supplements.Curr Pain Headache Rep. 2022;26(3):193-218. doi:10.1007/s11916-022-01019-9
7 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Bauer AZ, Swan SH, Kriebel D, et al.Paracetamol use during pregnancy—a call for precautionary action.Nat Rev Endocrinol. 2021;17(12):757-66. doi:10.1038/s41574-021-00553-7John Hopkins Medicine.Headaches in early pregnancy.Dixit A, Bhardwaj M, Sharma B.Headache in pregnancy: a nuisance or a new sense?.Obstet Gynecol Int. 2012;2012:697697. doi: 10.1155/2012/697697Negro A, Delaruelle Z, Ivanova TA, et al.Headache and pregnancy: a systematic review.J Headache Pain. 2017;18(1):106. doi: 10.1186/s10194-017-0816-0American Academy of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.How much water should I drink during pregnancy.Airola G, Allais G, Castagnoli Gabellari I, Rolando S, Mana O, Benedetto C.Non-pharmacological management of migraine during pregnancy.Neurol Sci. 2010;31 Suppl 1:S63-S65. doi:10.1007/s10072-010-0276-7Ariyanfar S, Razeghi Jahromi S, Togha M, Ghorbani Z.Review on Headache Related to Dietary Supplements.Curr Pain Headache Rep. 2022;26(3):193-218. doi:10.1007/s11916-022-01019-9
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Bauer AZ, Swan SH, Kriebel D, et al.Paracetamol use during pregnancy—a call for precautionary action.Nat Rev Endocrinol. 2021;17(12):757-66. doi:10.1038/s41574-021-00553-7John Hopkins Medicine.Headaches in early pregnancy.Dixit A, Bhardwaj M, Sharma B.Headache in pregnancy: a nuisance or a new sense?.Obstet Gynecol Int. 2012;2012:697697. doi: 10.1155/2012/697697Negro A, Delaruelle Z, Ivanova TA, et al.Headache and pregnancy: a systematic review.J Headache Pain. 2017;18(1):106. doi: 10.1186/s10194-017-0816-0American Academy of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.How much water should I drink during pregnancy.Airola G, Allais G, Castagnoli Gabellari I, Rolando S, Mana O, Benedetto C.Non-pharmacological management of migraine during pregnancy.Neurol Sci. 2010;31 Suppl 1:S63-S65. doi:10.1007/s10072-010-0276-7Ariyanfar S, Razeghi Jahromi S, Togha M, Ghorbani Z.Review on Headache Related to Dietary Supplements.Curr Pain Headache Rep. 2022;26(3):193-218. doi:10.1007/s11916-022-01019-9
Bauer AZ, Swan SH, Kriebel D, et al.Paracetamol use during pregnancy—a call for precautionary action.Nat Rev Endocrinol. 2021;17(12):757-66. doi:10.1038/s41574-021-00553-7
John Hopkins Medicine.Headaches in early pregnancy.
Dixit A, Bhardwaj M, Sharma B.Headache in pregnancy: a nuisance or a new sense?.Obstet Gynecol Int. 2012;2012:697697. doi: 10.1155/2012/697697
Negro A, Delaruelle Z, Ivanova TA, et al.Headache and pregnancy: a systematic review.J Headache Pain. 2017;18(1):106. doi: 10.1186/s10194-017-0816-0
American Academy of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.How much water should I drink during pregnancy.
Airola G, Allais G, Castagnoli Gabellari I, Rolando S, Mana O, Benedetto C.Non-pharmacological management of migraine during pregnancy.Neurol Sci. 2010;31 Suppl 1:S63-S65. doi:10.1007/s10072-010-0276-7
Ariyanfar S, Razeghi Jahromi S, Togha M, Ghorbani Z.Review on Headache Related to Dietary Supplements.Curr Pain Headache Rep. 2022;26(3):193-218. doi:10.1007/s11916-022-01019-9
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