Migraines & Headaches in Pregnancy

We work closely with each of our clients so that we know what they’re experiencing on a daily basis. When we hear from people that they’re experiencing persistent headaches or migraines we take it seriously, and while we want to help people treat these discomforts as quickly as possible, we're also constantly considering what’s safe for them and their baby during pregnancy. If you’re experiencing migraines or headaches during your pregnancy here are some tips for safely treating the pain:

HYDRATE!: Drink 1/2 your body weight in ounces per day. Your urine should always be clear. Dehydration is one of the main causes of headaches.

Sleep: Sleep deprivation is a trigger for both migraines and headaches. Get at least 8 hours of sleep each night. For some people, this means going to bed by 9pm.

Do Less: Pregnancy is demanding on the body and headaches are often the body's way of telling us we need to slow down, we need to rest more, and we need to do less. Take this as an opportunity to decrease the stressors in your life and to push pause on some of your to-do list. We also encourage people to ask for help! Ask the people you trust to help you, so that you can do less and rest more.

Acupuncture: This type of care can address the root causes of headaches and migraines and has the potential to eliminate them.

Bodywork: Chiropractic care, massage, and craniosacral therapy can all decrease tension.

Essential Oils: Apply lavender essential oil to your temples and massage it in gently to alleviate symptoms. Use an aromatherapy diffuser to fill the room with lavender or peppermint essential oil.

Caffeine: Drinking caffeine improves migraines by contracting blood vessels.

We recognize that everyone is different and therefore your migraine or headache treatment plan should be individualized and tailored to meet your specific needs. As midwives, we work with our clients to assess their treatment needs and we help them make a plan that is USEFUL and SUSTAINABLE. Moms and babies both feel the stress of headaches and migraines, so it matters to us to help minimize the occurrence and the intensity of them throughout pregnancy.

In health,

Charli & Sarah

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Welcome! We’re Charli and Sarah behind Hearth and Home Midwifery. Here we’ll post insightful information about all things home birth, midwifery, health, and nutrition. We’d love to hear from you!