What to Take for a Headache While Pregnant

Pregnancy is a joyful and exciting time, but it can also cause many aches and pains. Headaches are one of the most common complaints among pregnant women, but many women are uncomfortable taking pain medication during pregnancy. Some medications are considered safe, but there are other ways to cure headaches during pregnancy.

  1. Relaxation

    • Sometimes headaches are brought on by tension. If you are suffering from a tension headache during pregnancy, try taking a hot shower. The hot water will relax tense muscles. Wash your hair, giving yourself a head massage as you do. When you are done showering, get in bed and relax. Letting go of tension can do wonders for a headache while pregnant.
      Hot and cold compresses can also help a headache. Try both hot and cold to see which relieves your pain. Use compresses while relaxing in a quiet room. The headache will usually at least lessen in intensity.
      Stretching tense muscles will also help alleviate many headaches. Look for an exercise video that focuses on yoga and pilates moves for pregnant women. There are many yoga and pilates moves that are not safe during pregnancy, so use caution when choosing a workout.

    Chiropractic Adjustment

    • Pregnancy causes the body to move and shift. The pregnant woman's center of gravity changes, and there is pressure on the spine that is not usually there. The spine can be thrown out of alignment from the growing baby. This can cause headaches for many women.
      Some women find relief from headaches through chiropractic adjustments. They say that they experience instant relief from the headache after the chiropractor is through aligning their spines.
      If you choose to see a chiropractor for headache relief during pregnancy, be sure to find one who makes you feel comfortable. If you have never seen one before, pregnancy may not be the right time to begin getting adjustments. Talk to the chiropractor if it is your first time and discuss whether it is safe to begin during pregnancy.

    Medication

    • If all else fails, there are medications that are safe to take during pregnancy. Doctors agree that taking Tylenol on occasion is perfectly safe for both mother and baby. It is best to take regular, rather than extra strength, and only take one pill. If one does not help, increase your dosage to two pills the next time. Always take the least amount of medication possible.
      Sometimes Tylenol is not enough to cure a headache during pregnancy. If your headaches keep coming back and relaxation, chiropractic adjustments and Tylenol do not help, ask your doctor for suggestions of stronger medicines to help. Your doctor will discuss with you the risks and benefits of other medications during pregnancy.

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