Headache during pregnancy
Headache (headache) is a very frequent reason for consultation and, not only during pregnancy. However, during pregnancy special emphasis should be placed and headaches in pregnant women should not be underestimated.
The reason for this is that it can be a warning sign of a pregnancy disease, which should be paid attention to.
In this sense, you know when it is necessary to go to the doctor for a headache during pregnancy.
What can be the causes of headache?
One of the diseases associated with pregnancy that cause headaches is gestational hypertension, mainly when it occurs after the 20th week of gestation.
On the other hand, before 20 weeks, if the mother does not suffer from hypertension, another cause of headache can be migraine.
It is worth mentioning that migraine can occur in the three trimesters of pregnancy.
You can identify a migraine because the pain is usually on only one side of the head. Also, pain increases with activity and decreases with rest.
For its part, tension headaches are caused by stress, the common cold, and alcohol consumption, among others.
Does the headache have repercussions on the fetus?
It is usual for mothers to ask themselves this question, but the answer is no. The headache is perceived by the mother and not the fetus.
What can happen is that when the pregnancy is more advanced, thanks to the mother-child binomial, the baby has an affective bond and could perceive the mother's anguish.
Non-pharmacological measures to treat headache
Put cold water compresses on the area of the head that hurts.
I rest in a quiet place, without loud sounds.
Likewise, you can identify what triggers the headache, such as not getting enough sleep. In this way, you can solve that problem.
Which pain reliever is safe to use in pregnancy?
The most ideal thing is that you go to the consultation to have a medicine prescribed, thus avoiding self-medication.
However, the analgesic recommended by international consensus is paracetamol or acetaminophen.
When should you go to the doctor?
As mentioned above, the headache in pregnancy should be paid attention to, as it may be indicating the presence of a pathology.
So the reasons why you should see your doctor for a headache are as follows.
Make the headache unbearable
You wake up with a headache or this pain interrupts your sleep
Headache accompanied by other symptoms such as blurred vision, nausea, vomiting, dizziness and altered consciousness.
Conclusion
If you are pregnant and constantly suffer from headaches, do not self-medicate, you must attend a health center.
However, before starting a pharmacological measure, you can try cold water compresses.
Remember that the ideal pain reliever, because it is not harmful to the baby is acetaminophen.