Does Early Pregnancy Cause Headaches

What Are The Symptoms Of Migraine Headaches

Why frequent headaches are an early sign of pregnancy and tips for coping with them

The two most common types of migraines are classic migraines and common migraines. The following are the most common symptoms. However, each woman may experience symptoms differently. Symptoms may include:

  • Migraine aura. A type of migraine that involves the appearance of neurological symptoms, called an aura , 10 to 30 minutes before an attack. An attack may last one or two days. Pain associated with classic migraines may be described as:

  • Intense throbbing or pounding felt in the forehead, temple, ear, jaw, or around the eye.

  • Starting on one side of the head, but may spread to the other side.

  • Migraine without aura. A type of migraine that is generally not preceded by an aura, although there may be a variety of symptoms prior to its onset. Common migraine pain may last three or four days. Symptoms may include:

  • Mental “fuzziness”

  • Diarrhea and increased urination

  • Nausea and vomiting

  • The symptoms of migraines may resemble other conditions or medical problems. Always consult your doctor for a diagnosis.

    Pregnancy Heartburn Or Indigestion

    Heartburn is a burning feeling that starts in the stomach and seems to rise up to the throat. During pregnancy, changing hormone levels slow down your digestive system, weaken the stomach sphincter, and your uterus can crowd your stomach, pushing stomach acids upward.

    Recommendations:

    • Try to avoid constipation. Constipation can cause hemorrhoids and will make them more painful.
    • Avoid sitting or standing for long periods of time change your position frequently.
    • Don’t strain during a bowel movement.
    • Apply ice packs or cold compresses to the area or take a warm bath a few times a day to provide relief.
    • Avoid tight-fitting underwear, pants, or pantyhose.
    • If you still need more help, consult your health care provider.

    How To Tell If You’re Pregnant Right Away

    The only way to tell if youre pregnant right away is by taking a home pregnancy test according to its instructions. Waiting can be difficult, but you can usually take a test three to four days before a missed period though youre more likely to get a false negative if you test too soon. If its negative, wait a couple more days and test again if Aunt Flo doesnt come to visit.

    Be sure to test first thing in the morning, when your urine and the hormone that the test is measuring are most concentrated. If you see a line indicating a pregnancy, youre almost certainly pregnant . Pregnancy tests with false positives are rare.

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    Pregnancy Headaches: Causes And Remedies

    Migraines and headaches during pregnancy are very common. Many women experience headaches before they are pregnant and sometimes see an increase once pregnancy occurs, while other women see a decrease in the frequency of headaches after the baby is conceived. One to two percent of migraine sufferers get their first pregnancy headaches or migraines during the first trimester, but as the second and third trimester come and go, their symptoms usually decrease. Its important to know what causes or triggers pregnancy headaches, and what you can do to relieve or prevent them.

    Bad Headaches In Early Pregnancy

    Pin on Pregnancy

    If youre one of the millions of women who experience migraines, you might be happy to know pregnancy tends to ease migraine symptoms.

    Low estrogen is thought to play a role in migraine headaches. In pregnancy, your estrogen levels rise.

    However, there are still other triggers for migraines that arent hormone related Many of them are foods, including:

    • Caffeine
    • Foods and drinks containing aspartame .

    Avoiding known triggers can reduce the chances youll suffer from a migraine during pregnancy.

    Bad headaches in early pregnancy arent usually a cause for alarm. Headaches in the second and third trimester should be investigated immediately, however, as they can be a sign of preeclampsia.

    If youre concerned about your headache and youre in your first trimester, always seek medical advice.

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    When Should I Be Worried About Headaches During Early Pregnancy

    If your headaches are persistent, become worse, or are different from normal, seek medical attention.

    This is particularly important if youre experiencing other symptoms, such as blurry vision, pain in your abdomen, swelling or balance problems, or you have trouble speaking. According to a study, some other headache red flags include: headache that changes with posture , headaches that wake you up, and recent travel where infectious disease may be an issue.

    Of course, if at any time you are worried about yourself, your baby, or the pregnancy, it always pays to check in with your health care provider for peace of mind.

    The 12 Early Signs Of Pregnancy From Feeling Tired To Headaches

    • Vanessa Chalmers, Digital Health Reporter
    • 12:48 ET, Apr 28 2021

    A HEADACHE one day and bloating another – the signs of pregnancy are all too common in every day life.

    It can take several weeks before you put them together and realise you could be carrying a baby.

    Doctors calculate pregnancy from the first day of a womans last period, rather than from the date the baby was conceived – if the parents can remember it.

    The first obvious sign is usually a missed period.

    But even this could go amiss in a small number of women who are used to erratic menstrual cycles, or who simply dont track their usual pattern.

    Not all women experience the same pregnancy symptoms.

    But the most common are fatigue, breast tenderness, nausea and bloating, Lia Moss, a certified nurse midwife at Northwestern Medicine, who delivers babies at Prentice Women’s Hospital in Chicago, told LiveScience.

    Find out more about these signs:

    Recommended Reading: Can You Get Braces While Pregnant

    Flu Like Body Aches In Early Pregnancy

    There are a few signs of pregnancy which indeed are similar to flu signs, especially during early pregnancy. Actually, the very first pregnancy symptoms might be sensations of never-ending flu. Flu signs shouldn`t last over 2 weeks. If you experience these particular signs and there`s a slight chance for you to be pregnant, take into account a pregnancy test to be certain.

    Using Painkillers When Pregnant

    Pregnancy headaches

    Some medicines, including painkillers, can harm your baby’s health.

    Paracetamol is generally considered safe during pregnancy. Always check the packaging for the correct amount of tablets to take, and how often you may take them.

    If you find you need to take paracetamol for more than a couple of days, you may need to speak to your GP.

    Ibuprofen is sometimes recommended for headaches during pregnancy. You can only take this at certain times during your pregnancy. Always check with your GP, pharmacist or obstetrician before taking ibuprofen.

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    Tracking Triggers With A Migraine Diary

    Hormone changes during pregnancy are not the only thing that can trigger migraine headaches. Most women have a combination of triggers. For instance, stress, skipped meals, and lack of sleep may all trigger a migraine. And something that triggers a migraine one day may not bother you at all the next.

    Some migraines last a few hours. Others, if left untreated, could last a couple of days. Migraines are quite unpredictable. So while pregnancy may make them worse for one woman, they might completely disappear for another.

    A headache diary can let you track your particular triggers. This will help your doctor decide on what treatment will work best to relieve your specific symptoms. It may also help you recognize a pattern that tells you which triggers to avoid while you’re pregnant.

    Each time you have a headache, write down:

    • Your specific symptoms: where you feel the pain, what the pain feels like, and any other symptoms such as vomiting or sensitivity to noise, smells, or bright light
    • The time your headache started and ended
    • Food and beverages you had during the 24 hours before the migraine
    • Any change in your environment, such as traveling to a new place, a change in weather, or trying new kinds of food
    • Any treatment you tried, and whether it helped or made the headache worse
    • Foods that contain the preservatives MSG and nitrates
    • Aspartame, the sweetener in NutraSweet and Equal

    What Causes Migraine Headaches During Pregnancy

    Migraine headaches seem to have a genetic component, which means they tend to run in families. That said, theres usually a triggering event that unleashes them. One of the most common triggers at least for women is fluctuating hormone levels, particularly the rise and fall of estrogen.

    Moms-to-be who get migraine attacks tend to experience them most often in the first trimester of pregnancy, when hormone levels, including estrogen, havent yet stabilized.

    An increase in blood volume, which is also common in the first trimester, can be an additional factor. As blood vessels in the brain expand to accommodate extra blood flow, they can press against sensitive nerve endings, causing pain.

    Other common migraine triggers, whether youre pregnant or not, include:

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    Are Headaches Normal In Early Pregnancy

    Its pretty normal to have headaches in early pregnancy. It isnt much of a consolation, though, when youre the one experiencing the pain.

    Your headache might be the result of hormone surges or increased blood volume.

    On the other hand, it could be due to something youve changed recently, since becoming pregnant.

    For example:

    • Not enough or too much sleep
    • Feeling stressed and tense
    • Not drinking enough, due to increased need to urinate.

    Most of these changes can be managed in a way that avoids giving you a headache.

    Pregnancy Bleeding And Swollen Gums

    Morning Sickness Headaches Early Pregnancy

    You may not have expected pregnancy to affect your mouth. But your blood circulation and hormone levels can make your gums tender and swollen, and you may notice they bleed more easily. You may also develop nose bleeds.

    Recommendations:

    • Get a dental checkup early in your pregnancy to make sure your teeth and mouth are healthy. See your dentist if you notice a particular problem.
    • Brush your teeth, floss regularly and rinse daily with an antiseptic mouthwash.

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    Early Pregnancy Headache Prevention Tips

    If youd like to try to prevent headaches, also try the following tips:

    • Step down your caffeine intake rather than go cold turkey.
    • If youre struggling to eat, try to have small and frequent meals that contain plenty of healthy fat and protein. This will keep your blood sugars stable.
    • Increase exercise gradually especially if youre not used to it.
    • Aim to have 8 hours sleep each night. Early pregnancy tiredness is debilitating and a micro nap might help you get through the afternoon.
    • Reduce stress in your life. Take up meditation or yoga, or have a massage.
    • Keep your water intake up during the day and avoid drinking too much at night. Having electrolytes can help improve hydration compared to normal water. You can read more about the benefits of electrolytes during pregnancy.

    What Was Your Earliest Pregnancy Symptom

    The most common early signs and symptoms of pregnancy might include:

    • Missed period. If youre in your childbearing years and a week or more has passed without the start of an expected menstrual cycle, you might be pregnant.
    • Tender, swollen breasts.
    • Nausea with or without vomiting.
    • Increased urination.

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    When Should I Call My Doctor About A New Pregnancy

    If you have missed a period, taken a pregnancy test and gotten a positive result, your next step will be to call your healthcare provider for your first appointment. While scheduling, your provider may ask if you have already started taking a prenatal vitamin with at least 400mcg of folic acid. These vitamins are important in early pregnancy because they help in the development of your babys neural tube. The neural tube will become the brain and spine. Many healthcare providers recommend that any women who could become pregnant take folic acid at all times.

    If you are planning a pregnancy, a preconception appointment with your healthcare provider is a good place to start. A preconception appointment is especially important if you take medication for a chronic illness or have other medical conditions like diabetes, hypertension or lupus.

    During this appointment, your provider will discuss any current medical conditions, as well as your general health before pregnancy. This appointment is meant to get you into the best place for a new pregnancy.

    Last reviewed by a Cleveland Clinic medical professional on 04/01/2020.

    References

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    What Are Postpartum Headaches

    4 causes and solutions of headache in pregnancy – Dr. Shefali Tyagi

    Postpartum headache refers to the type of headache that many women experience within 6 months after pregnancy and giving birth to a baby. According to studies, headaches after pregnancy can be divided into two categories primary headaches and secondary headaches.

    Primary headaches can be annoying, but they are not dangerous. The pain that you feel when you experience primary headaches is caused by swelling in blood vessels, nervous in the head and brain, and muscles as well.

    The followings are 4 types of primary headaches that new moms can experience postpartum

    1-Migraine

    It can be felt on one side of the head, and lead to nausea, throbbing pain, as well as sensitivity to sells, noise and light.

    2-Hypnic headache

    A kind of headache that can be felt at night among people who are 40-80 years old.

    3-Cluster headache

    This kind of headache can be felt behind the eye, on one side of the head. Often, you experience cluster headaches at the same time of day for several weeks after pregnancy.

    4-Tension headache

    It can be felt on both sides of the head and is followed by sensitivity to sounds and light.

    Secondary headaches cause severe pain and are more serious than primary headaches. These type of headaches occur because of another medical condition. Neck and head injury, brain infection and tumor, aneurysm and high blood pressure are common health problem which can be the cause of headache after pregnancy.

    Also Read: Back Pain After Pregnancy

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    How Quickly Can I Know If Im Pregnant

    Pregnancy is a different experience for each woman. Some women may suspect theyre pregnant within the first few days of pregnancy, while others dont notice anything until they miss a period. There are also some women who dont know theyre pregnant until months after conception.

    The most clear-cut way to know if youre pregnant is to take a pregnancy test. When you take a pregnancy test, its measuring a hormone called human chorionic gonadotrophin . This hormone starts building in your body from the moment of conception and will multiply rapidly in the beginning of your pregnancy. Despite its early appearance in the process, it takes some time for your body to build up enough hCG to register on a pregnancy test. Typically, it takes about three to four weeks from the first day of your last period before theres enough hCG in your body for a positive pregnancy test.

    When To Call Your Healthcare Provider

    Monique Rainford, MD, is board-certified in obstetrics-gynecology, and currently serves as an Assistant Clinical Professor at Yale Medicine. She is the former chief of obstetrics-gynecology at Yale Health.

    Headaches are common during pregnancy. While they’re painful, they’re usually nothing to worry about. However, headaches in pregnancy can sometimes be a warning sign of a more serious problem like preeclampsiaa condition that involves high blood pressure.

    Here’s what you need to know about the different types of headaches during pregnancy, how to recognize them, and what to do if you think your headache may be a sign of a dangerous complication.

    Verywell / Laura Porter

    Headaches are classified by what causes them and fall into two categories:

    • Primary headaches, where the pain itself is the only problem
    • Secondary headaches, where the pain is caused by another medical condition

    About 40% of pregnant women report having headaches during pregnancy or postpartum . Most are primary headaches and are less worrisome.

    However, research suggests that secondary causes of headaches may be more common among pregnant women than was previously thought. One study found that between 25% and 42% of pregnant women seeking treatment had a secondary headache.

    During the second and third trimesters, triggers include poor posture, lack of sleep, high blood pressure, and diabetes.

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    What Can I Take For Headaches During Early Pregnancy

    Unfortunately, you might simply be prone to headaches in early pregnancy and the above prevention and relief methods wont work.

    Always seek advice from your care provider if youre experiencing headaches that are ongoing and you cant relieve them naturally.

    Also, be sure not to take medications for headaches unless they are recommended by your care provider.

    Medications containing aspirin and ibuprofen arent recommended for most pregnant women. Find out more about whats safe to take in our article about pain medication during pregnancy.

    Varicose Veins And Leg Oedema

    Migraine During and After Pregnancy

    Varicose veins of the legs are very common in pregnancy due to a combination of factors, including increased volume of circulating blood during pregnancy, and pressure of the pregnant uterus on the larger veins. This increased pressure on the veins can also result in swelling of the legs that can cause pain, feelings of heaviness, cramps and other unusual sensations.

    If you have varicose veins, it is recommended that you:

    • Wear support stockings.
    • Avoid standing for long periods.
    • Exercise gently and regularly .
    • Lie down to rest with feet elevated, when you can.
    • Try massaging your legs.

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    When To Call The Doctor About Headaches During Pregnancy

    Many women, even those who haven’t previously experienced a lot of everyday headaches, will get them during pregnancy. The vast majority of pregnancy headaches are primary meaning your head hurts, but theres nothing serious or anything to worry about.

    But if your headaches persist for more than two or three hours or you have other symptoms , let your practitioner know right away.

    In rare cases, so-called secondary headaches signal something else going on in your body, such as hypertension or risk factors for preeclampsia, and youll want to make sure you get both the headaches and the underlying conditions taken care of ASAP.

    From the What to Expect editorial team and Heidi Murkoff, author of What to Expect When You’re Expecting. What to Expect follows strict reporting guidelines and uses only credible sources, such as peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions and highly respected health organizations. Learn how we keep our content accurate and up-to-date by reading our medical review and editorial policy.

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