Headaches during pregnancy: What’s the best treatment?

To prevent or relieve mild headaches during pregnancy without taking medicine, try the following:

• Be aware of headache triggers. If certain foods or odors have triggered a headache in the past, do your best to stay away from them. Also, keep a headache journal. Note any other things that seem to set off your headaches. Then share the journal with your healthcare professional. Together, you might be able to find more headache triggers.
• Include physical activity in your daily routine. Try a daily walk or get other moderate aerobic exercise.
• Manage stress. Find healthy ways to cope with stress. For example, you could talk with a friend or find time to do a hobby you enjoy. If you feel like you have too much stress, talk with a mental healthcare professional.
• Practice relaxation techniques. Try deep breathing, meditation, yoga or massage. If you get a massage, lie on your side rather than face down. And make sure that the massage therapist knows that you’re pregnant.
• Eat regularly. Eat regularly scheduled meals and follow a balanced diet. This might help prevent headaches. Drink plenty of fluids such as water too.
• Follow a regular sleep schedule. A lack of sleep might play a role in headaches during pregnancy.
• Consider biofeedback. This technique teaches you to control some of your body’s functions, such as heart rate and breathing patterns. It may help prevent headaches or ease headache pain. Talk with your healthcare professional if you’d like to try biofeedback to treat headaches during pregnancy. Ask for a referral to a biofeedback therapist.

Most pregnant people can safely take acetaminophen (Tylenol, others) to treat headaches that happen once in a while. Your healthcare professional may suggest other medicines as well. Always check with a member of your healthcare team before you take any new medicine or herbal treatment. That way, you can find out if the treatment is safe for you and your baby.

Headaches during pregnancy are common. But call your healthcare professional if you get a headache that causes major pain or lasts a long time. There are many causes of headaches, including some health conditions related to high blood pressure.