Learn 10 natural remedies to treat your pregnancy headaches.
Headaches during pregnancy are not easy to endure.
My pregnancy headaches felt like a prison I just couldn’t escape!
And forget trying to focus, cook, clean, or even rest.
Headaches are painful and totally zap your energy and ability to be productive.
But hey, I’m here to share the good news!
With a few changes to your diet and lifestyle, you can kiss those wretched headaches good-bye!
Read on to learn 10 natural natural ways to cure your pregnancy headaches.
Causes for Headaches During Pregnancy
Changes in Hormones
The hormonal changes in your body can trigger headaches. Headaches are more commonly experienced in the first and third trimester of pregnancy.
Stress
Worries and anxieties could very well be what’s causing your headaches, as it’s the reason for many things gone wrong in the human body. Stress is known to be the root cause of tension headaches.
Poor Posture
By the time the third trimester of pregnancy rolls around, it’s usually very difficult to carry the extra weight. In which case, we tend to slump and develop poor posture. If we’re not careful, poor posture can become a habit, which can lead to headaches as well as other short-term and long-term health problems.
Dehydration
The human body is made up of over 50% water. Dehydration results from excessive loss of fluid from the body. During pregnancy, our bodies create (and require) more fluid than prior to pregnancy. Our bodies lose water when we pee, poop, and perspire (sweat).
Neglecting to consume water often enough during pregnancy can be a constant source of headaches.
Lack of Sleep
People that experience migraines are 2-8 times more likely to experience sleep disorders compared to the general public. If your headaches are consistent as opposed to sporadic, you may have a sleep disorder.
Preeclampsia
This condition is characterized by a pregnant woman that has high blood pressure.
Caffeine Withdrawal
It is important to monitor your caffeine intake during pregnancy (hard…I know!). Especially if you’re a coffee drinker. Finding healthier options and substitutes is a good thing, but it’s not easy because the body can go through stages of withdrawal. Depending on how severe your caffeine dependence is, withdrawal symptoms can last anywhere from a few days to several months.
Quick Cures for Pregnancy Headaches
1. Eat Almonds
Studies show that people who experience migraine headaches have magnesium levels that are significantly lower than those who do not experience migraine headaches.
Magnesium deficiency leads to tension headaches, often in the neck and back.
Almonds are miraculous when it comes to the nutrients they provide. Almonds contain high levels of magnesium. Consume them in whatever form you enjoy the most!
Here are some ideas:
- Raw by the handfuls
- Almond milk
- Blended in smoothies
- Eat them in salads
Note: Dehydrating almonds makes them easier to digest!
2. Dim the Lights
Photophobia (sensitivity to light) is one of the most common symptoms for those who suffer from migraines and headaches.
Studies conclude that even between attacks, people who suffer from migraines or chronic headaches are more sensitive to light than those who do not suffer from migraines and headaches.
Turning down the light or retreating to a dark room makes a significant difference. Here are several things you can do throughout your day to help ease your headaches:
- Dim the lights at work
- Wear sunglasses (even indoors if needed)
- Reduce the brightness on your phone, TV, and computer screen
You may wonder how these small changes will help. But many who have suffered from headaches have found freedom from their pain and misery. Give this a try!
3. Get More Sleep
Sometimes we just do too much! Your headache may be your body’s way of telling you to S-L-O-W down. You might just need to sleep this off. When I’m sick, I lay aside my work projects and just take time to rest. I rarely force myself to work when I’m not feeling well.
Give yourself permission to rest without feeling guilty, mama. Whether it’s a headache or a fever, it’s still important to listen to your body. Find a dark room to rest for a little while.
4. Drink Water
Increasing your water intake is the first natural remedy for headaches and migraines.
Water is one of the simplest ways to cure headaches. Much of the time, we don’t feel thirsty, but nevertheless our bodies are yearning for water. We just don’t realize it until the pain kicks in. But we needed that water all along.
While it’s easier to reach for the soda or juice, those beverage choices are only second best to water. The healing properties of water alone are amazing!
5. Cool or Warm Compress
Lay down and place a compress on your forehead. You can choose a cool or warm compress pack. You might prefer to use a warm compress for tension headaches and a cold compress to relieve your migraines.
6. Get Proper Nutrition
Your nutrition is vital to overcoming headaches, mama. It may not seem like it’s a big deal or the primary cause of your headaches. But trust me, what you choose to eat and not to eat makes up who you are in so many ways!
Make sure you are eating healthy foods high in essential nutrients, vitamins, and minerals. Poor eating habits can also bring on other more severe health issues for you later on. So love yourself well by eating well.
The Natural Pregnancy Cookbook has some yummy recipes to try!
Focus on eating the foods that help relieve headaches.
7. Reduce Stress & Anxiety
Are you thinking “Give up stress? In what life?!”.
I’ve also felt that way many times. Stress grips me here and there too. But the reality is that stress really is a silent killer. It brings on a plethora of serious health conditions. Another truth is that (thankfully!) stress is not inevitable.
If your mind has become a secret place where not even you want to be, it’s time to do something about that.
I recommend reading a great book by Marybeth Wuenscheul called Your Thoughts are Killing You.
I’ve come to learn that there isn’t so much an outer work involved with eliminating stress as there is an inner work. By that I’m referring to your thoughts, mindsets, and beliefs vs. your ever-changing circumstances.
Discovering the root of stressful thoughts (often lies we tell ourselves) is a step in the right direction. Then you can begin to challenge and overcome those thoughts with truth. It’s not an overnight process, but it’s worth it!
8. Drink Tea
Herbal teas have been used to treat all types of medical conditions for centuries, including headaches! And you know what? It works!
Peppermint tea is known to relieve headaches and anxiety while ginger tea controls and blocks pain-causing substances in the body.
Be cautious: Some teas (such as Chamomile and Feverfew tea) are commonly known to relieve headaches and anxiety. However, consult your doctor before consuming as Chamomile has been linked to miscarriages while Feverfew has been known to trigger contractions.
9. Practice Deep Breathing
You know the saying, “don’t hold your breath?” Well, it actually happens quite often. We hold our breaths in unintentionally. We don’t always realize that our breathing changes and we tense up when we feel stressed or anxious.
Most of us actually only take shallow breaths.
But deep, controlled breathing has the following benefits:
- Improves flow of oxygen on the body
- Reduces stress level
- Helps you feel relaxed and calm
- Relieves pain, and more!
10. Make a Rice Sock
Gather a few supplies you already have in your home to end the throbbing pain in your head. Make your own rice sock to use as a warm compress! Lay down and place the rice sock on the pain area. This should help relieve your pain as well as help you to relax.
When to Contact Your Doctor
Try a combination of these natural remedies to relieve your headache, mama. Headaches during pregnancy are very common. Just pay attention to how frequently you have them and how long they’re lasting.
If you find that your headaches are consistent or become worse, see your doctor. There may be some underlying issues that need to be addressed. In that case, make sure to reach out for professional help.
Blurred vision, blind spots, or dizziness can be indicators of preeclampsia, which comes during the second half of pregnancy. You’ll need a diagnosis so you can get the proper treatment.
Note: Ask your doctor before taking any medication, mama. Even some over-the-counter headache medications are not safe to consume during your pregnancy.
Say Goodbye to Your Pregnancy Headaches
Don’t let these headaches get the better of you, mama! Try these 10 natural remedies you’ve learned to finally get the relief you need. It doesn’t have to take weeks for you to experience the relief you want.
You’re going to make it! Hang in there!
After your headaches are gone for good, you’ll forget you ever had them.
Remember to pin me!
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