What headache remedy can pregnant women use? Headache during pregnancy - causes

Pregnancy is a wonderful and natural state for a woman when she is expecting her unborn child. But for her body this is a strong stress factor that forces all organs and systems to be rebuilt. They take on an increased load, ensuring the normal functioning of the new organism, but sometimes failures occur that affect the well-being of the expectant mother. Headache, increased fatigue and drowsiness may occur.

What can pregnant women take for headaches in such a situation? Are there any approved medications that can be taken, or should you limit yourself to just traditional methods treatment? These and other questions are rightly of interest to expectant mothers.

Provocateurs of headaches in pregnant women

When pregnant women have headaches, it causes concern for the expectant mother and those around her. A rational question arises as to how justified this concern is. Is it possible for pregnant women to take anything for headaches if the need arises?

A number of medications have been developed and patented that can be taken for headaches during pregnancy, strictly following the indicated dosage and doctor’s instructions.

But in some cases it is enough to establish a cause-and-effect relationship between the irritant and, in fact, the headache. Basically, pain is not a disease, but the body’s response to an unfavorable factor that needs to be eliminated in order to feel comfortable. It may be an incorrect diet, excessive emotional stress, the influence of certain medications or sudden refusal of them.

Many pregnant women are familiar with the drug Duphaston. It is prescribed during the planning period to prepare the body for bearing a child, and then, according to indications, to preserve it. It is indicated during pregnancy, which may cause miscarriage. Its relevance therapeutic effect The doctor decides based on the individual diagnosis.

Most women who took Duphaston successfully carried and gave birth to a healthy child. At the same time, against the background of its use, unpleasant side effects associated with nausea, headache and migraine with aura. Headache during pregnancy from Duphaston is confirmed by numerous reviews. Correction, changing the dosage or replacing the drug helps to cope with the situation. These questions are entirely within the competence of the attending physician.

It is advisable to exclude various smoked meats, some cheeses, nuts and carbonated drinks from the diet. These products contain substances that cause headaches.

Abrupt withdrawal from coffee and some pills taken for headache pain long time, causes withdrawal syndrome, which is manifested by severe headache.

Medications for treating headaches

The question of what exactly a pregnant woman can drink for a headache is decided by the doctor in each case separately, taking into account the nature of the complaints and general health. Pain in pregnant women can be psychogenic in nature (tension headache), or can take the form of a migraine.

Some drugs are allowed to be taken for severe headaches during pregnancy, some are allowed throughout the entire period, and some are allowed only in a certain trimester. But most of the world-famous brands of medicines are prohibited. These include drugs such as Spazmalgon and Pentalgin. These are strong composite analgesics containing chemical substances, unacceptable for use by pregnant women due to their toxic effects on the fetus.

How you can cope with headaches using other painkillers is shown in the table.

Important! The drug Nurofen is strictly contraindicated for use during pregnancy exceeding 30 weeks

With the simultaneous use of antispasmodic drugs No-shpa and Papaverine, their mutual strengthening occurs. Due to the dilation of blood vessels and the removal of their tone, blood pressure decreases slightly, which must be taken into account when taking it.

A specific group of drugs for the treatment of migraine (ergot alkaloids) has absolute contraindications for use during pregnancy, as it leads to abortion of the fetus. What is allowed to drink and can be taken during migraine attacks during this period is decided only by the attending physician, weighing the benefits and risks in relation to the unborn child.

Preventive measures

In order not to get sick during pregnancy and not to take a lot of medications, expectant mothers are advised to follow a few simple rules:

1. Spend a lot of time outdoors and ventilate the room.
2. Avoid excessive consumption of sugary carbonated drinks, nuts, citrus fruits and chocolate.
3. Get enough sleep (at least 8 hours).
4. Take vitamins with magnesium and soothing herbal teas if there are no contraindications.
5. Loosen tight hairstyle, if any.
6. Do not stay in one position for a long time; the spine should be unloaded as much as possible.
7. Minimize stress levels in everyday life.

The prescription of medications depends on the subjective and objective complaints of the pregnant woman, the severity of headaches and the frequency of their attacks. In some cases, it is more rational to take a pill for your headache than to make you suffer expectant mother and her child.

Headache may occur due to:

• adaptation of the female body to hormonal changes during pregnancy (increased levels of progesterone and estrogen affect vascular tone, sometimes causing spasms);
• a sudden increase or decrease in blood pressure in a pregnant woman during periods of magnetic storms or prolonged cloudiness before rain;
• emotional stress or fatigue;
• feelings of hunger or thirst;
• stuffiness and stale air in the room;
• lack of sleep or, conversely, oversleeping (sleep more than 10 hours);
• incorrect posture, in particular in the third trimester.

Some foods can also cause headaches during pregnancy, such as chocolate, or avoiding certain foods, such as coffee or strong tea.

In other cases, pain syndrome can be observed with problems with blood vessels (for example, with vegetative-vascular dystonia), with cervical vertebrae (for example, with cervical osteochondrosis or any injuries to the cervical spine), as well as for colds, inflammatory (infectious) diseases (acute respiratory infections and acute respiratory viral infections, sinusitis, meningitis and others) and together with toothache.

The causes of headaches during pregnancy are varied and numerous. The main thing is to determine the nature of the pain during pregnancy in order to select the correct and effective treatment without harm and negative consequences for the fetus.

Symptoms and treatment of different types of headaches during pregnancy

Tension pain characterized by a dull, monotonous pain, the head feels as if it is pulled together with an elastic band.

Patients often complain of pain that spreads from the neck to the back of the head, temples, and eye area. When palpated they feel pain points in the back of the head and neck area. Nausea is possible, but there is no vomiting. The duration of such a headache is from 30 minutes to 1-1.5 hours.

Tension pain occurs during physical and mental fatigue, nervous exhaustion, during or after stressful situations.

Treatment for tension headaches during pregnancy involves relieving symptoms. The following tools will help with this.

It is also useful to train tone vascular walls with help contrast shower, but most importantly, do not overdo it, the water should not be very cold, but only slightly cool, i.e. room temperature.

Acupressure to relieve various headaches

Self-massage biologically active points body will help cope with headaches during pregnancy without resorting to the use of medications that are dangerous to the child.

Liu Hongsheng will tell you the secrets of traditional Chinese medicine, and will clearly tell you where the very points are located, the massage of which will relieve headaches.

Dr. Hongshen, using the example of the first point on the hand, will show how to massage them, and then he will only indicate the points themselves, which, according to the same principle, need to be massaged for only a few minutes.

What to do if you have a severe headache during pregnancy?

Paracetamol (children's Panadol suppositories or syrup, Efferalgan suppositories or syrup) is able to penetrate the placental barrier. Although to date there have been no negative effects of paracetamol on the fetus, it should be taken only in as a last resort when the pain does not subside for a long time.

What headache medications are contraindicated during pregnancy?

Aspirin ( acetylsalicylic acid), Citramon, Ibuprofen (Ibuprom, Nurofen, Brufen), Diclofenac (Diclonate, Dicloran, Ortofen), Indomethacin, Ketoprofen (Ketonal, Flamax) and other similar drugs are contraindicated during pregnancy.

These drugs may have negative impact on fetal development and pregnancy.

The use of the necessary doses for high-quality pain relief in the first trimester of pregnancy can cause fetal development defects (cleft palate, heart defects). The use of these drugs in the first trimester of pregnancy is strictly contraindicated.

Some of these drugs can be prescribed in the second trimester of pregnancy, but only after a strict assessment of the risks and benefits for the mother and fetus, and only in small doses and for a short time.

In the third trimester of pregnancy, the required doses of the drug may cause inhibition labor activity, premature closure of the ductus arteriosus in the fetus, poor blood clotting in the mother, which threatens large blood loss during childbirth, and administration immediately before the birth itself can cause intracranial hemorrhages, especially in premature infants. The use of the medications listed above in the third trimester of pregnancy is contraindicated.

Headache

• continues for several days in a row?
• occurs quite often and is accompanied by nausea and vomiting?
• very sharp and sharp?

or accompanied by:

• an increase in body temperature to 38 0C or more?
• a condition where it is impossible to press your chin to your chest?
• weakness of arms and legs or their numbness?
• difficulty speaking?
• vision problems and coordination problems?

Then you need to consult a doctor immediately!

Expectant mothers during the period of bearing a baby are very often bothered by migraine attacks. But not all pills for headaches during pregnancy can now be taken. Most of the drugs presented in the pharmacy chain are dangerous for the child and his development. Therefore, before using this or that product, you should carefully read the instructions for it and consult your doctor.

Migraine attacks can develop under the influence of not only internal, but also external factors. Before deciding on the choice of tablets, you need to establish the causes of unpleasant discomfort. Among the main ones are:

1. Emotional stress, depression.
2. Overwork, lack of sleep.
3. Sudden change in weather or climate.
4. Vascular diseases.
5. Low or high blood pressure.
6. Migraine attacks.
7. Sharp, loud bangs or a “sweetening” aroma, bright and flashing light.
8. Poor circulation due to cervical osteochondrosis or neurosis.
9. Infectious disease of the membranes of the brain, meningitis.
10. ARVI, influenza and ENT pathologies.
11. Brain hemorrhage.
12. Abuse of cheese, citrus products, dark chocolate, strict diet.
13. Lack of oxygen, prolonged stay in a closed, stuffy room.

There are no completely safe drugs, and only a doctor can tell you which headache pills you can take during pregnancy, after a comprehensive examination and determination of the cause of the pain syndrome.

The doctor will definitely advise what is best to do

A nutritious, healthy diet, long rest, and lack of stress will help prevent severe attacks. But if pain does appear, you should start treating it and take painkillers.

What drugs are allowed

Almost every medicine has contraindications and side effects, but a gynecologist or therapist will select which pills can be used in the early and later pregnancy, taking into account the nature of the pain, its intensity, cause, general condition patients.

The same remedy different trimesters may pose less or more danger to fetal development.

The drug "Paracetamol"

The medication belongs to the group of medications that are safer during pregnancy. Paracetamol is an anti-inflammatory non-steroidal medicine. Although it is one of the “lightest” painkillers, you should not use it without a doctor’s recommendation, nor should you take pills for a long time.

The active substance does not have a negative effect on the development of the baby, but based on the studies conducted, experts can claim that the medicine can penetrate the placenta.

Therefore, whether the drug can be used or not, you should check with your doctor. You should also follow some recommendations:

• you can drink no more than 3 g, that is, 6 tablets of 500 mg of medication / day;
• do not use the product for prophylactic purposes;
• You should not take Paracetamol for more than 3 days.

In the first trimester of pregnancy, treatment of migraine attacks with drugs of this group is not advisable, since early stages organs and systems of the fetus are formed. But, if the gynecologist decides that the benefit for the woman is higher than the risk for the baby, he will allow a single dose of the medicine, since it can be taken by pregnant women, especially in liquid form.

You need to be careful with any medications

The active substance is also included in other drugs created on its basis: Panadol, which reduces blood pressure, Calpol, Efferalgan. For diseases of the blood, kidneys and liver or hypersensitivity to paracetamol, you cannot take it.

Treatment of headaches during pregnancy must be carried out correctly, otherwise unpleasant side effects may occur:

1. Hives, allergic rash.
2. Anemia.
3. Colic (renal).
4. In the first two weeks of pregnancy, the drug can cause fetal death or miscarriage.

The medication is quickly absorbed into the gastrointestinal tract. The maximum content of the active substance in the blood plasma is achieved 30-50 minutes after use.

Medicine "No-shpa"

The most safe pills from the head during pregnancy, which many doctors prescribe to their patients. Among the reasons for such confidence in the drug are:

• “No-spa” contains drotaverine, which effectively and quickly relieves spasms of blood vessels and smooth muscles;
• Pregnant women can drink 300-400 mg per day for 3 days;
• “No-spa” is an imported medicine, its analogues: papaverine or drotaverine, they cost an order of magnitude cheaper.

Contraindications – last 2-3 weeks of pregnancy. Relaxation of smooth muscles may cause premature appearance baby into the world. Also on the prohibited list:

1. Diseases of the liver, heart and kidneys.
2. Lactose intolerance.
3. Weakness of the sphincter (uterine).
4. Individual reaction to the active substance.

Side effects are a decrease in blood pressure, accompanied by dizziness, nausea, weakness, insomnia, and tachycardia.

Medicine "Nurofen"

The drug is most often used for elevated temperature in babies, teething. But many doctors recommend taking Nurofen tablets for headaches during feeding and pregnancy.

Characteristics of the drug:

• the main component is ibuprofen, which perfectly eliminates pain, as well as the inflammatory process;
• treatment with Nurofen can be carried out in the 1st and 2nd trimester, but in boys there is a risk of developing pathologies of the genital organs; in the later stages, taking the drug should be stopped (increases the tone of the uterus);
• the medicine can be used for 3 days up to 1300 mg/day;
• substitutes - “Ibuprofen”, “Advil”, “Ibuprom”.

Contraindications – increased reaction to the active substance, pathologies of the liver and kidneys, stomach ulcers, poor blood serum clotting.

Among side effects present:

1. Hives.
2. Stomach pain.
3. Feeling of nausea, vomiting.
4. Attacks of hypertension.
5. Headaches, cramps.
6. Dizziness.
7. Cardiopalmus.
8. Renal colic, as well as anemia.

All medications have contraindications

Exists a large number of medications that contain ibuprofen, drotaverine, paracetamol along with other active substances. Therefore, many women doubt which pills and medications for headaches during lactation and pregnancy are better if powerful drugs quickly eliminate the pathological syndrome.

Expectant mothers with migraine attacks are allowed to use painkillers without additives to prevent negative effects on the body and fetal development (caffeine).

Any tablet should be taken after meals, following the recommendations of your doctor, and also taking into account the likelihood of negative consequences.

Prohibited drugs

Every person has taken painkillers at least once in their life, but many pills for headaches and migraine attacks are prohibited for pregnant women. Safe drugs very few, so you should know which ones to watch out for.

List of prohibited medications for pregnant women:

• first, you will have to give up “Citramon”, since it contains aspirin - a dangerous substance for the baby, penetrating into the mother’s body, it is absorbed into the bloodstream, thereby provoking mutations;
• medicine "Ergotamine" or "Triptan". Medicines promote intense contractions of the uterus, which can cause miscarriage, premature passage water;
• drug "Fiorinal". It contains a hypnotic that depresses breathing.

Prohibited drugs for migraines, headaches, and spasms during pregnancy can be listed endlessly. But the drugs allowed for use are presented in limited quantities. You cannot prescribe treatment on your own, since some medications can be safe in the first trimester and pose a real threat in the latter stages.

Constant headaches during pregnancy require immediate, competent treatment. At the first signs of deterioration in health and suspicious symptoms, you should immediately consult a doctor. Walking in the fresh air, proper sleep, and nutrition will help cope with stress and anxiety, thereby reducing the likelihood of pain.