Headaches
Headachs are one of the most common symptoms women experience during pregnancy, particularly during the first trimester. Common causes are:
- change in hormones;
- tiredness, lack of sleep;
- changes in blood circulation;
- low blood sugar levels;
- dehydration;
- stress due to unknown changes
- caffeine withdrawal
Tension headache
Stress headaches are the most common. They are often described as a pain on both sides of the head. Usually caused by lack of sleep, depression or caffeine withdrawal. Changes in hormone management can also cause tension headache. Try to ger rest and keep a damp warm cloth on the head. Ask your doctor for a painkiller which is suitable for pregnant women.
Migraine
About 18% of all will women have a migraine in their lives. Migraine causes a firm throbbing pain on one side of the head (sometimes both sides). The exact cause of migraine is unclear, but can be due to a change in blood supply to the brain. Migraines can also cause complaints such as nausea and hypersensitivity to light, scents and loud noise. Some people get a warning a few minutes before the attack. For example, they may see flashing lights, lines, speech problems or tingling hands or a tingling face.
Migraine headaches usually decrease during pregnancy, especially after the first trimester. Some say, however, that they can become stronger than before pregnancy. The best way to treat migraine is to prevent it. Some are able to reduce the number of attacks by avoiding the usual causes, for example, by getting better or more sleep.
Ask your doctor whether there are suitable treatments for your situation. There is little known about the possible effects of medicines like Sumitriptan (Imitrex), Ergotamine (Cafergot) and Midrin. Doctors will therefore not recommend their use.
Foods that may contribute to migraine:
- chocolate;
- mature cheese;
- alcohol;
- peanuts;
- bread;
- lemons;
- preserved meats like bacon or sausages;
- yoghurt;
- sour cream.
Preeclampsia
Serious headache in the second or third quarter may be a pre-lumbarial announcement of high blood pressure in pregnancy. About 5 to 10% of pregnant women suffer from this. Headache caused by preeclampsia is stubborn and pulsating. Women with preeclampsia may suffer from blurred vision, eye dots, sudden weight loss (more than one pound per day), upper right upper abdominal pain and hand and face deformation. If you have one or more of these symptoms, or if you have a headache that is different from normal, call your doctor straight away.
Other types of headache
You may also suffer from cluster headache, sinus headache or headache caused by medicines or conditions. If you are worried about your headache seek your doctor's advice.
Related categories (1)
Most read information articles
-
1st trimester (Bloodloss)
Many women suffer from some slight bleeding in early pregnancy. Normally, women who have had slight bleeding in the first trimester have no problems during the further pregnancy. A little blood loss can be normal, but it is sometimes a cause for conc......(136173 x) Read more » -
Stomach cramps
Babies get tummy cramps. They come and go many times. It's no fun for parents either; you can see your little one in pain, the crying doesn't seem to stop, and sometimes it seems like there's nothing you can do to help. Bowel cramps oc......(120945 x) Read more » -
Pregnancy symptoms
It is important during pregnancy to know the difference between normal symptoms and those which should be reported to your midwife or doctor. Below is a list of the most common symptoms experienced by pregnant women. Areola around the nipples get ......(86069 x) Read more » -
Mucus plug
During pregnancy, a mucous membrane forms in your uterus. The mucous membrane prevents infections of your uterus. The mucous membrane will remain in place until you give birth. When labour starts, the cervix is stretched and softer. This can c......(66122 x) Read more » -
Empty days (Breastfeeding)
If you are breastfeeding, you will probably wake up early and go to bed late in the early days. Your milk production is not yet set to your baby's demands. Moms often feel uncertain during these "empty" days; baby seems insatiable and y......(63396 x) Read more » -
Feeding
For the first six months, breastfeeding or complete infant formula will usually provide your baby with enough nutrients. The amount of food a baby needs is always different for each child. According to pediatricians, you can use the following guideli......(61647 x) Read more » -
Stillbirth (Loss)
If you lose your child after the 16th week, or your child dies during childbirth, this is officially classed as a "stillbirth". It's a tragic and often traumatic experience for parents. A mix of emotions are involved; anger, guilt, sadn......(57891 x) Read more » -
Development of the foetus
An interactive video of the development of your baby. Slide the sliders to see the growth! The first picture shows the growth from 0 to 8 weeks, the second the growth from 8 to 40 weeks. You may also like this animated gif: ......(57700 x) Read more » -
2nd trimester (Bloodloss)
Occassionaly you may have some blood loss during your second trimester. Common causes include cervical growth or inflammation. Bleeding can pose a threat to both the mother and the unborn child. The most common cause of severe vaginal blood loss duri......(55155 x) Read more » -
Teeth
First teeth Generally, babies get their first teeth between 5 and 9 months. Normally, the first two are bottom incisors, followed by the top two, then the teeth to either side. All eight cutting teeth usually come through when the baby is 8 ......(52501 x) Read more » -
Sleep (Sleep during pregnancy)
During your pregnancy, you may have more difficulty sleeping than usual. A larger abdomen, heartburn, anxiety, back pain and shortness of breath lead to less sleep. You can get frustrated about the lack of good sleep. Yet sleep is very necessary......(51261 x) Read more » -
Checklist baby outfits (Checklists)
When you're pregnant you need to spend a lot of time and money, because the new little addition to your family will need a lot more than you first think! What will you need? Well, print this handy checklist so you don't forget anything! &n......(50699 x) Read more » -
Skin changes
The increase in hormones during pregnancy as well as other factors can result in changes to your skin which can include: "Pregnancy glow" You may get a radiant glow over your face. Your face seems to blush because you have more bl......(50155 x) Read more » -
Pregnancy after 35
Women are increasingly choosing to become pregnany at a later age. This has several reasons; work and career, still busy with study or promotion, no suitable partner, financial worries. The average age at which women have their first child increased ......(46136 x) Read more » -
Breasts
Pregnancy and breast changes: During your pregnancy, your breasts are temporarily a little bigger. The following breast changes are normal: The breasts feel fuller and are more sensitive because pregnancy hormones p......(44788 x) Read more » -
Reflux in babies
Milk-spitting isn't the same as reflux Many newborns may spit out or dribble a mouthful of milk after they've been fed. They can drink more than they can handle, and some of it comes right back up. This little bit of returned is ......(42518 x) Read more » -
Gender of the baby
Dr. Landrum Shettles was a pioneer in fertility techniques. He was involved very early in experiments in which ova could be fertilized in a laboratory. He has also researched for years to influence the sex of babies. He also wrote a book about it, wh......(41997 x) Read more » -
Coughing and choking
It's well known that babies put "everything" in their mouths. They do this to explore their surroundings. Small objects can be dangerous to children (especially young children), the objects may become clogged in the trachea, res......(41527 x) Read more » -
Fluid retention (edema)
It's normal for your body to retain excess water during pregnancy. This can be on average 2 to 3 liters. In the last month, especially, this is very noticeable; symptoms include swollen hands, feet and face. Even in warm weather, you will retain ......(40602 x) Read more » -
Clustering (Breastfeeding)
Clustering is a common term within the breastfeeding world. In short, it means that a child wants to drink at a certain time of the day, or sometimes even more often, with you. Sometimes a child wants to be at the breast continuously. It is completel......(40565 x) Read more » -
Conceiving 30 tips
If you want to use a lubricant then use PreSeed. When you are dry the sperm have less chance of swimming up, PreSeed provides a comfortable environment for the sperms to swim through. Eat green leafy vegetables with plenty of folic acid, and thi......(40548 x) Read more » -
Sex (Safety during pregnancy)
Sex during pregnancy Many people worry that having sex during pregnancy will somehow harm or disturb the baby. Although perhaps the mechanics, especially as you get further on in your pregnancy, may prove challenging, there is no reason couples cann......(39670 x) Read more » -
Pregnancy tests
When can you take a pregnancy test? Urine tests can take place one day before the next period starts. Blood tests can be done at 6 to 8 days after ovulation. Pregnancy tests work by checking your urine for a hormone called human chori......(38427 x) Read more » -
Jaundice
The cause of the yellow color of the skin and mucous membranes is the substance bilirubin. This substance is released by red blood cell degradation. The baby has much more red blood cells than an adult in the womb. The red blood cells also ......(38050 x) Read more » -
Pelvic instability
Experiencing pain in your pelvic region is another symptom of pregnancy and quite normal. Research shows that 50 to 60% of women suffer from pelvic pain or low back pain. Early in pregnancy, hormones make the pelvis more flexible. In addition, the......(37444 x) Read more » -
Hypotension (Blood pressure)
Your blood pressure depends on age, weight and health. Average blood pressure is 120/80 (120 over 80). The first number is systolic pressure. This indicates how high the arterial pressure is and when the blood is pumped into the arteries every heart ......(37388 x) Read more » -
Vaginal infections (Tests before pregnancy)
Normally the vaginal discharge is whitish or slightly transparent in color and feels slimy and sticky. In pregnancy it is normal that the amount and thickness of the secretions vary greatly. Most women have more discharge than normal during pregnancy......(36918 x) Read more » -
Foreskin (Baby care)
The penis primarily consists of what could be called a stem and an acorn. The "acorn" tip is very sensitive and protected by a thin fold of skin. In some boys this covering is complete, while in other boys the covering is only partial. I......(36679 x) Read more » -
During a twin pregnancy (Twins)
Approximately 3 out of every 100 pregnancies is a twin or multiple pregnancy. Normally during your first ultrasound scan it will be determined whether you are having more than one baby although it may take the entire nine months for you to get over t......(35080 x) Read more »