80% of pregnant women suffer from headaches? Here are five tips to help you cope.

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Headaches during pregnancy can be a real headache, especially during the pandemic when even mild symptoms can cause anxiety. However, headaches are very common during pregnancy, with 80% of pregnant women experiencing them for various reasons. Today, we will share five tips for dealing with those pesky pregnancy headaches.

01 Causes of headaches during pregnancy

Headaches can occur at any time during pregnancy, but are more common in the early stages. Headaches in the early stages of pregnancy may be caused by electrolyte imbalances resulting from morning sickness. They are related to a series of changes in the body during pregnancy, the release of large amounts of hormones, and increased blood volume, as well as mental tension, poor rest, anemia, dehydration, and hypoglycemia. However, severe, persistent, and unrelieved headaches may be a sign of pregnancy-induced hypertension and must be taken seriously.

02How to avoid headaches during pregnancy

(1) Rule out pathological headaches

Go to the hospital and seek treatment from a qualified doctor to correct conditions such as anemia, colds, and hypertension that may be causing headaches. Take medication under the guidance of a doctor. While it is commonly advised not to take medication indiscriminately during pregnancy, it is still important to see a doctor and follow medical advice when you are truly ill. With the advancements in modern medicine, there are certainly medications available that can protect the mother without harming the baby, alleviating discomfort.

(2) Developing good dietary and lifestyle habits

During pregnancy, it is important to establish healthy eating habits. Avoid excessive intake of high-sodium or high-sugar foods, opt for smaller, more frequent meals to prevent hypoglycemia, and avoid strong tea or coffee. Ensure adequate rest and sleep, maintain a calm mindset, avoid emotional fluctuations, and remember not to stay up late. Otherwise, the baby may develop similar habits, which could lead to complications. When sleeping, choose an appropriate pillow.

(3) Avoid fatigue

In many cases, pregnant women who are very tired may also experience headaches. In the early stages of pregnancy, it is important to get plenty of sleep and reduce strenuous work as much as possible. This can also reduce the likelihood of headaches during pregnancy. You can also take some health supplements under the guidance of a doctor to prevent headaches during pregnancy.

03 Tips for dealing with headaches during pregnancy

(1) Ice pack

If you experience tension headaches, you can use either a cold or hot compress. Place a cold or hot towel on your forehead or the lower part of your skull. For migraines, a cold compress is more effective.

(2) Shower

If you suddenly feel a severe headache, taking a shower can help alleviate the pain. If you cannot take a shower, you can wash your face with cold water.

(3) Deep Breathing

Deep breathing can alter our breathing rate and pattern. By stimulating the body’s parasympathetic nervous system through deep breathing, we can trigger a calming response, thereby lowering our heart rate, blood pressure, and muscle tension, and shifting our focus away from stress or pain, thereby alleviating the headache.

(4) Massage the head

l Using the pads of your fingers, start from the outer corner of the eye,

l slowly move upward around the ear,

l locate the bone behind the ear and feel the edge of the bone,

l slowly push downward until you reach the area below the occipital bone,

l then start again from the outer corner of the eye, moving upward toward the temple, and repeat the process.

l Start again from the temples and move upward, repeating the process once more

l Gradually push upward from the starting point until the top of the head serves as the starting point.

We hope that every expectant mother, while cherishing beautiful aspirations for her unborn baby, also pays close attention to adverse conditions related to pregnancy, and places greater emphasis on caring for and cherishing herself.