Headaches are dreadful at the best of times, but when you’re also dealing with morning sickness and fatigue from pregnancy, a headache is the very last thing you want to be dealing with.

Unfortunately, headaches are fairly common for pregnant women, especially during the first trimester. If it’s any consolation, a headache won’t harm your baby, but that’s not to say that they aren’t very real and a pain in the butt. The good news is that there are certain things you can try to prevent headaches, and if they don’t work, there’s always paracetamol.

But why are some pregnant women prone to headaches?

Headaches during pregnancy are generally caused by tension. This tension is most likely caused by one of the following:

Feelings of stress. Stress may cause tension to rise up from the neck and into the head.
Poor posture.
Not drinking enough water or skipping meals.

Too much or too little sleep.
A particular food.
Caffeine withdrawal.

What can I do to prevent headaches?

Do what you can to limit stress. Make sure to find somewhere you can relax and put your feet up, both at home and at work. Yoga and meditation can also help.

Keep a regular sleep pattern. Make sure to get at least 8 hours of sleep a night. If you’re suffering from insomnia, speak to your doctor or midwife.

Make sure to eat healthily. Make sure to include plenty of fruit and veg in your diet and drink lots of water. Some women find that eating little and often soothes headaches.

Exercise regularly. While exercising regularly will help to prevent headaches, it’s important that you don’t push yourself. A daily walk or some yoga will do the job!

Acupuncture. Acupuncture is a natural remedy known to prevent and ease headaches. It’s also safe during pregnancy. If you’re interested in acupuncture, speak to your midwife or doctor.

Physiotherapy. If you suspect that your posture or tension in the neck is the primary cause of your headaches, a physiotherapist can teach you exercises to relieve tension.

But what can I do to treat headaches?

Paracetamol is the medicine of choice for pregnant women, but it’s best to take it for the shortest possible time.

You can also try a cold compress or cooling wrap on your forehead, a warm wheat bag at the base of your neck to ease tension and have someone give you a shoulder and neck massage. Rubbing a little peppermint oil at the sides of your temples is another great remedy to relieve a headache.

Some medicines are considered unsafe for pregnant women, so if you’re at all unsure, speak to your doctor or midwife.

Which medicines can I take and which should I avoid?

Aspirin, codeine, ibuprofen and any medicines containing caffeine are generally best avoided unless prescribed by your doctor.

Now, while headaches are certainly uncomfortable, know that they generally won’t harm your baby.

But are there any instances that warrant calling a doctor?

A severe headache could be a symptom of pre-eclampsia, a condition that must be monitored as soon as possible. If you experience a headache along with any of the following symptoms, speak to a doctor as soon as possible:

Blurry vision.
Pain below the ribs.
Vomiting.
A sudden increase in swelling in the face, hands or feet.

Are headaches more common in pregnancy?

Unii looks at this sometimes hormone-driven problem in pregnant women.