{"id":29543,"date":"2026-01-23T08:00:22","date_gmt":"2026-01-23T08:00:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.may.app\/?p=29543"},"modified":"2026-01-23T09:40:27","modified_gmt":"2026-01-23T09:40:27","slug":"headaches-during-pregnancy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.may.app\/en\/blog\/pregnancy\/headaches-during-pregnancy\/","title":{"rendered":"Relieving headaches during pregnancy"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Headaches are among the most frequently encountered discomforts during pregnancy. Why do these headaches occur? Should you be concerned about them? How can they be relieved during pregnancy, and when should you seek medical advice?<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Headaches during pregnancy:<\/strong> let\u2019s take a closer look.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>Why can headaches occur during pregnancy?<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Pregnancy is a period that is particularly prone to headaches.<\/strong> Headaches are generally more common during the first trimester of pregnancy, mainly due to hormones such as estrogens, beta-hCG, or progesterone, which are produced in large amounts.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">They <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">are generally less frequent during the second trimester, commonly referred to as the \u201choneymoon phase\u201d of pregnancy, due to the stabilization of hormone levels resulting in fewer pregnancy-related discomforts.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In addition to hormones, the main causes of headaches are:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">dehydration,<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">stress,<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">fatigue,<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">hunger<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">increased blood circulation.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-29534\" src=\"https:\/\/www.may.app\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/sad-despaired-millennial-black-pregnant-woman-with-2026-01-09-09-09-04-utc.webp\" alt=\"Relieving headaches during pregnancy - May App Sant\u00e9\" width=\"1000\" height=\"667\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.may.app\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/sad-despaired-millennial-black-pregnant-woman-with-2026-01-09-09-09-04-utc.webp 1000w, https:\/\/www.may.app\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/sad-despaired-millennial-black-pregnant-woman-with-2026-01-09-09-09-04-utc-300x200.webp 300w, https:\/\/www.may.app\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/sad-despaired-millennial-black-pregnant-woman-with-2026-01-09-09-09-04-utc-768x512.webp 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Different types of headaches during pregnancy<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There are different forms of headaches, which vary according to several criteria:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Mode of onset<\/strong>: the pain may appear suddenly or, on the contrary, develop gradually.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Affected area<\/strong>: the pain may involve the entire head or remain limited to a specific area, such as one side of the head or the temples.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Intensity<\/strong>: it can range from mild discomfort to very severe pain, to the point of interfering with daily activities. The pain may be constant or throbbing.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Triggering circumstances<\/strong>: certain factors such as pollution or medication use can cause headaches.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Duration<\/strong>: this helps distinguish acute headaches, which appear and disappear quickly, from chronic headaches, which develop more slowly and may persist for several weeks or even months.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The term \u201cheadache\u201d refers to all headaches, regardless of their origin or cause.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> There are two types of headaches:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Primary headaches<\/strong>:<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><strong>Migraines<\/strong><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: intense, <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">severe, <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">and painful headaches that last less than 24 hours and are accompanied by nausea and vomiting.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><strong>Tension headaches<\/strong><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: common headaches of mild to moderate intensity that are linked to fatigue or stress.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Secondary headaches<\/strong>: intense headaches caused by a medical condition, an abnormality, or trauma. During pregnancy, they may raise suspicion of <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">preeclampsia<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When headaches are intense, recurrent <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">and do not improve with acetaminophen and rest<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, they are considered a migraine attack. This neurological condition, which evolves in episodes, manifests as headaches affecting only one side (left or right) of the head.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Migraines may sometimes be associated with <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">vomiting<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, visual flashes, and\/or intolerance to light and sound. <\/span><strong>If you experience these symptoms, you should seek medical advice.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Want to learn more? Feel free to <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/app.adjust.com\/1pblulz8\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">download the May app<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, where you&#8217;ll find plenty of resources to support and guide you throughout your pregnancy.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-4840 size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/www.may.app\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/Protenurie-min-1024x1024.png\" alt=\"Relieving headaches during pregnancy - May App Sant\u00e9\" width=\"1024\" height=\"1024\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.may.app\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/Protenurie-min-1024x1024.png 1024w, https:\/\/www.may.app\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/Protenurie-min-300x300.png 300w, https:\/\/www.may.app\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/Protenurie-min-150x150.png 150w, https:\/\/www.may.app\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/Protenurie-min-768x768.png 768w, https:\/\/www.may.app\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/Protenurie-min.png 1080w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/p>\n<h2><b>What solutions are available to relieve headaches during pregnancy?<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><strong>Headaches can be treated<\/strong><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong> with medication<\/strong>. To do so, pain relievers such as acetaminophen <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">may be taken.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Specific anti-migraine medications or anti-inflammatory drugs before the 6th month of pregnancy<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> may <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">sometimes <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">be prescribed by your doctor.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In all cases, self-medication should be avoided, and you should consult a healthcare professional if headaches persist despite taking acetaminophen<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Ibuprofen, on the other hand, is not recommended during pregnancy due to the risk of<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> miscarriage<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> or cardiac complications for the baby.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Warning<\/strong>: taking aspirin is not harmless and is contraindicated from the <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">6th month of pregnancy<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> onward.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Complementary medicine has also proven effective. This is particularly the case with <strong>acupuncture or homeopathy<\/strong>. If you prefer other remedies, we recommend applying warm or cold compresses to your forehead or neck and taking a warm bath.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">To relieve headaches during pregnancy, feel free to:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Settle into <strong>a quiet, dimly lit room<\/strong> as soon as you feel a headache coming on.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Continue to <strong>stay well hydrated<\/strong> without waiting until you feel thirsty.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Maintain <strong>regular physical activity<\/strong> (Pilates, prenatal yoga, walking) to help your brain stay well oxygenated.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If possible, <strong>avoid certain foods<\/strong> with strong odors, such as aged cheeses, as they can sometimes trigger headaches.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Warning<\/strong>: <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">essential oils<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> are generally not recommended during pregnancy unless advised by a specialized healthcare professional.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-29538\" src=\"https:\/\/www.may.app\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/young-and-pregnant-woman-has-painful-headache-2026-01-05-04-54-28-utc.webp\" alt=\"Relieving headaches during pregnancy - May App Sant\u00e9\" width=\"1000\" height=\"661\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.may.app\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/young-and-pregnant-woman-has-painful-headache-2026-01-05-04-54-28-utc.webp 1000w, https:\/\/www.may.app\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/young-and-pregnant-woman-has-painful-headache-2026-01-05-04-54-28-utc-300x198.webp 300w, https:\/\/www.may.app\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/young-and-pregnant-woman-has-painful-headache-2026-01-05-04-54-28-utc-768x508.webp 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/p>\n<h2><b>When<\/b><b> should you consult for headaches during pregnancy?<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When headaches are severe and accompanied by fatigue, visual disturbances, dizziness, or other neurological symptoms, it is necessary to seek urgent medical care. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It is also recommended to consult in cases of <strong>persistent headaches<\/strong> that do not subside with rest or acetaminophen<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Repeated <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">headaches <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">after <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">20 weeks of pregnancy<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> may be a symptom of preeclampsia, a serious pregnancy complication characterized by gestational hypertension. <strong>In this case, they are often associated with<\/strong>:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">visual symptoms (black spots),<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">ringing in the ears,<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">pain under the rib cage,<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">more or less generalized edema,<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">nausea and vomiting.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Not all symptoms are necessarily present; experiencing just one of them is still a warning sign to monitor.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If headaches persist despite being prescribed acetaminophen by your healthcare professional, it is important to consult.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Although most headaches are benign, they can also be a sign of serious pregnancy-related conditions. <strong>Pay close attention to the onset of symptoms<\/strong> and do not hesitate to seek medical advice.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>Advice from <\/b><b>Doctor Flo<\/b><b>:<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><em><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cIf you regularly suffer from migraines and are taking preventive treatment, try to plan ahead for pregnancy and consult beforehand to adjust your treatment accordingly. If you are already pregnant and taking medication, promptly seek your doctor\u2019s advice to determine whether you can continue or need to change it.\u201d<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In summary, headaches during pregnancy are <strong>common and most often benign<\/strong>. Although they can be uncomfortable, they are generally relieved through simple measures: rest, hydration, a healthy lifestyle, and, if necessary, pregnancy-compatible treatment prescribed by your healthcare professional.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">However, certain headaches, when intense, persistent, or accompanied by unusual symptoms, may be a sign of a more serious complication. It is therefore essential to listen to your body, avoid self-medication, and consult promptly if in doubt.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>**<\/p>\n<p>Photo credits: Prostock-studio | BLACKDAY<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This text was translated from French by an artificial intelligence. The information, advice, and sources it contains comply with French standards and may therefore not apply to your situation. Make sure to complement this reading by visiting the May US\/UK app and consulting the healthcare professionals who are supporting you.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Headaches are among the most frequently encountered discomforts during pregnancy. Why do these headaches occur? Should you be concerned about them? How can they be relieved during pregnancy, and when should you seek medical advice? Headaches during pregnancy: let\u2019s take a closer look. Why can headaches occur during pregnancy? Pregnancy is a period that is [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":23,"featured_media":10803,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[186],"tags":[142],"class_list":["post-29543","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-pregnancy","tag-pregnancy-timeline"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.may.app\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/29543","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.may.app\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.may.app\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.may.app\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/23"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.may.app\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=29543"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/www.may.app\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/29543\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":29545,"href":"https:\/\/www.may.app\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/29543\/revisions\/29545"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.may.app\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/10803"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.may.app\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=29543"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.may.app\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=29543"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.may.app\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=29543"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}