Headache at 15 weeks

Headaches during pregnancy - When should I be worried?

How can I treat a headache in pregnancy?

Headaches can be common in early pregnancy. They usually improve as pregnancy goes on.

You can take paracetamol in pregnancy. Follow the instructions on the packet for how much you can take. Try to take the lowest dose that works and for the shortest amount of time.

Your midwife, GP or pharmacist can give you more advice if the pain is ongoing and doesn’t go away with paracetamol.

There are some painkillers you should not take while you’re pregnant. These include tablets or capsules that:

contain added caffeine (sometimes sold with 'extra' on the label)
contain codeine
are anti-inflammatory, like ibuprofen or aspirin.

Some women may be advised to take a low dose of aspirin during their pregnancy if they are at risk of pregnancy complications, such as pre-eclampsia. This will be prescribed by a doctor.

Aspirin is not recommended for pain relief in pregnancy (such as for a headache).

Find out more about drugs and medicines in pregnancy.

Some people find that sleeping or lying in a dark room can help with headaches or migraines. Using cooling strips or placing a cold flannel on your forehead may also help.

What can I do to prevent headaches in pregnancy?

There are some things you can do to prevent headaches. Try to:

drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration
get enough sleep
eat a healthy, balanced diet
take a break from looking at your phone or a screen (it helps to plan in regular screen breaks during your day)
rest and relax as much as possible. You could try things like mindfulness, going for a short walk or doing some breathing exercises.

When should I call a doctor or midwife about a headache in pregnancy?

Call your midwife, doctor or hospital maternity unit if you have a very bad headache, a headache that won’t go away or if the headache affects your vision in any way. This could be a symptom of pregnancy-induced hypertension.

It’s also known as gestational high blood pressure or gestational hypertension.

Your midwife will check your blood pressure at all your antenatal appointments.

If you develop high blood pressure in pregnancy, you will be assessed in a hospital by a healthcare professional.

Pre-eclampsia

Call your midwife, maternity unit or NHS 111 straight away if you have:

a severe headache
vision problems, such as blurring or seeing flashing lights
pain just below your ribs
vomiting
a sudden increase in swelling of your face, hands, feet or ankles.

These symptoms could be a sign of pre-eclampsia, which needs to checked immediately. Pre-eclampsia can be dangerous for you and the baby if it is not treated and monitored. 

Migraines in pregnancy

Migraines are a common type of headache. Many people who have migraines may have:

severe pain, which feels like a throbbing, pounding or pulsating pain
nausea (feeling sick)
increased sensitivity to light and sound
an ‘aura’, such as flashing lights before the migraine starts.

Talk to your GP or midwife if you’ve had migraines before and if you are taking or have taken any medication for them. This is because some migraine medications can contain codeine, aspirin or ibuprofen, which are not recommended in pregnancy.

Don’t wait until you have a migraine to speak to someone about them. Your doctor should be able to give you advice on how you can manage your symptoms while you’re pregnant, and if you choose to breastfeed.

It may also help to think about what triggers your migraines and find ways to try and avoid them. Common triggers may include:

emotional triggers, such as stress or anxiety
physical triggers, such as tiredness or poor-quality sleep
dietary triggers, such as dehydration or caffeine
environmental triggers such as changes in climate, flickering screens or strong smells.

Drinking plenty of water, limiting your caffeine intake and finding ways to reduce stress will help you and baby stay well in pregnancy.

More information and support

Migraine Trust

Pregnancy and Headaches: When Should I Worry?

Pregnancy is a beautiful thing to be celebrated, but few people fill you in on the not-so-great symptoms that may occur during the journey. Namely, heartburn, gas, constipation and, for some pregnant mamas, headaches.

While headaches can be just another normal symptom of pregnancy, should they ever be a cause for concern?

“Headaches are common in women both in and outside of pregnancy,” said Kelley Saunders, MD, an OBGYN with Banner – University Medicine Women’s Institute. “But whether they are normal or not should always be discussed with your doctor."

Here is some insight into what causes headaches during pregnancy, some remedies to treat them and why your doctor should be kept in the loop.

Is it a headache or something else?

It isn’t always easy to tell what kind of headache you’re having, but the most common types of headaches during pregnancy are tension-type headaches, migraines and cluster headaches.

Tension headaches are the most common kind of headache in pregnant women. It can feel like someone is trying to squish your head like a watermelon. If you carry your stress in your shoulders and neck, you may be more susceptible to this kind of headache.

Migraines are a particular type of headache that occur on one side of the head. For some women, migraine headaches can get worse the first few months and then improve in later stages of pregnancy. For others, they may experience no change, decrease or difference in their migraines.

Cluster headaches are less common but can occur during pregnancy. You’ll suddenly have severe pain around your eyes or temples usually about the same time every day.

The good news is that there are plenty of pregnancy-safe things you can do to prevent and relieve the most common pregnancy headaches.

Tips for relieving mild headaches

Get plenty of rest. Sleep is especially hard later in your pregnancy but is so important to physical and mental health. Find yourself a comfy prenatal pillow and snuggle away.
Drink plenty of water. Pregnant moms require more water than the average person. While you may want to avoid extra trips to the bathroom, adequate fluid intake is important for you and baby.
Eat regular, well-balanced meals. To prevent low blood sugar, eat small meals throughout the day. Avoid sugar, like soda and candy.
Get a prenatal massage. A full-body massage can release tension in the muscles of your neck, shoulders and back.
Use warm or cool compresses on head, neck and shoulders.
Avoid triggers. Keep a journal to help identify specific triggers so you can learn what to avoid. Some common headache triggers include strong odors and nitrites or nitrates.
Try exercise and relaxation techniques. There’s evidence that regular exercise can reduce stress and boost overall mood. Check with your doctor first before starting any new fitness routines.
Take acetaminophen to relieve symptoms (as approved by doctor).
Take caffeine in doses less than 200mg in a day (as approved by doctor).

If you have a history of migraines, however, your doctor may treat them differently during pregnancy. Discuss with your doctor what medications are safe to take during pregnancy.

Is my headache a cause for concern?

Sometimes. Headaches tend to be more common in the first and third trimesters, but they can occur in the second trimester as well. While there are common causes for headaches during pregnancy, it’s important to note that headaches during the second and third trimester can also be due to high blood pressure, called preeclampsia.

“Preeclampsia is a pregnancy-related condition that requires prompt evaluation and management with an obstetrician or maternal fetal medicine specialist,” Dr. Saunders said. “Elevated blood pressure prior to pregnancy puts a woman at increased risk for preeclampsia.”

When should I call my doctor?

Whether you experience headaches or not, it’s always important to discuss your pre-pregnancy history, obstetrical history and concerns with your doctor for an individualized assessment and management plan. However, if none of the above treatments resolve your mild headache or your headaches become more frequent and severe, talk to your doctor to determine the cause.

“This includes new headaches that present after 20 weeks, a sudden onset of severe headaches, headaches associated with a fever, mental health changes, elevated blood pressure and vision changes,” Dr. Saunders said. “It’s important to keep an open line of communication with your physician and let them know about any changes in your health so they can rule out anything serious."

Got questions? We can help!

If a headache is keeping you up at night and your doctor isn’t available, call the Banner Nurse Now line, a free health care service that offers advice 24-hours a day, seven days a week. Call 844-259-9494.

Check out other pregnancy articles on our Banner Health blog

Pregnancy is an exciting, but also a bit scary time (especially if this is your first baby). Here are some other reads to help guide you through the trimesters and welcoming baby:

5 Tips for Having a Happy, Healthy Pregnancy
Expect the Unexpected: How Your Body Changes During Pregnancy
What To Expect In The Second Trimester
Understanding Pulmonary Embolism Risk During Pregnancy

Women's Health Pregnancy

Headache during pregnancy: where does it come from and how to get rid of it

November 14, 2020 Likbez Health

Sometimes you just need to get some sleep, and sometimes you need to call an ambulance immediately.

When to call an ambulance

Call 103 or 112 urgently if you experience any of the following symptoms:

sudden and severe headache;
consciousness becomes confused or completely lost;
pain worsens over 5 minutes;
flies, spots flash in the eyes;
throbbing and noisy in the ears;
speech has become slurred, words are drawn out;
arms and legs weaken, convulsions set in;
the muscles of the neck are very stiff, it is impossible to reach the chest with the chin;
fever of 39 °C or more;
increased heart rate at rest;
severe shortness of breath;
the child pushes without stopping or stops abruptly;
leaking water or blood;
lower abdomen hurts, as if contractions had started.

Why pregnant women can get headaches

Pregnancy headaches are not always life threatening. But the doctor needs to be told about it in any case. If the symptom appeared for the first time and does not hurt much, postpone the conversation until a scheduled visit. If your headache is recurring or gets worse, it's best to make an appointment as soon as possible. The gynecologist will decide what needs to be done or refer you to another doctor.

There are many causes of headaches. Scientists have found that in pregnant women in 57% of cases it is primary, that is, not associated with other diseases. The most common are migraines and tension headaches.

Everything else is a secondary headache caused by various pathologies. Usually it is high blood pressure and infections. But there are also more dangerous reasons.

1. Stress and fatigue

A pregnant woman's body experiences increased stress, because it has to work for two. If at the same time the expectant mother is exposed to stress, strong feelings or sleeps little, she develops a tension headache.

Discomfort lasts from 30 minutes to several days. The head hurts in the forehead, occiput, both temples. But there is no feeling that they put on a tight hoop or helmet. The pain does not get worse when bending over, walking, or climbing stairs, bright lights, or sounds.