DIY Prenatal Care

Headache During Pregnancy

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Pregnancy is probably the most sensitive period in a woman’s life. You carry the responsibility of another life within you. This in itself can be the primary cause of anxiety during pregnancy and can be very difficult to avoid.

While pregnant, you undergo many inevitable biological and psychological changes, but the eternal anxiety is the undercurrent of all such changes. Headache can be one such ‘inevitable’ suffering. Pregnant women often suffer from severe headaches during pregnancy, as a matter of routine. In general terms some say that headache is a side effect of pregnancy.

What are the reasons for this type of headache? The main ones are hormonal changes, the general stresses related to pregnancy and increases in the your blood volume. In addition, the changes in the contours of your body help to contribute to poor posture. Naturally, poor posture creates stress on various parts of your body. Your brain will eventually get the signal of discomfort, often from the burden of carrying the extra weight.

The vast majority of pregnant women are very cautious about what they consume during pregnancy. Many women will avoid even a Tylenol during pregnancy to err on the side of caution. So what can you do if you are contending with a massive headache during pregnancy?

Try these steps to minimize your pregnancy headache:
Eliminate certain types of food, such as packaged and preserved foods, chocolate and spicy food. Understand your diet very well- what is good for you and for the baby growing within you. Don’t overeat. Eat several small meals in a day. Take lots of liquid diet, fruits and juices.

Improve your circulation and overall health by taking leisurely walks in the nearby park or on the lawns of your own garden. You can also improve your mental and physical state with a prenatal Yoga or Pilates DVD if you can’t find a class near you.

Try to adhere to nature’s schedule if at all possible. Wake up with the sun and get adequate sunlight during the day to regulate your circadian rhythms. Keep your bedroom as dark as possible and try not to stay up too late past dark with inactivity, packaged foods, and stressful news or TV shows. Keep electronics (especially the TV) out of your bedroom.

This is not the time to experiment with any type of strong medication to get relief from the headache. Try to understand the root cause of your headache. Try to control it with a natural process. Practice meditation or deep breathing.

Due to the fact that your symptoms may be related to poor posture or some other physical condition, you may find relief after a visit to the chiropractor or acupuncturist. You can also try your own acupressure or having your partner massage your neck, back and shoulders.

While many women avoid coffee during pregnancy, most experts do not see the harm in a pregnant woman having one to two cups of coffee a day. The caffeine in coffee is often shown to reduce or eliminate a headache. A healthier choice would be a cup or two of green tea.

If all else fails, try to remember that “this too shall pass”. Pregnancy is but a blip of time in your life and most women will put the discomforts of pregnancy and childbirth far behind them as they enjoy life with their new angel.

Author: Javier Fuller
About the author: Many Headache articles are available at Headacheupdates.com for Headache During Pregnancy.