Natural Remedies for Headaches During Pregnancy

By
Colleen Doherty, MD
Colleen Doherty, MD
Colleen Doherty, MD
Colleen Doherty, MD, is a board-certified internist living with multiple sclerosis.
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Updated on September 19, 2022
Medically reviewed
Verywell Health articles are reviewed by board-certified physicians and healthcare professionals. These medical reviewers confirm the content is thorough and accurate, reflecting the latest evidence-based research. Content is reviewed before publication and upon substantial updates. Learn more.
 by
Diana Apetauerova, MD
Diana Apetauerova, MD
Medically reviewed by Diana Apetauerova, MD

Diana Apetauerova, MD, is board-certified in neurology with a subspecialty in movement disorders. She is an associate clinical professor of neurology at Tufts School of Medicine.

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Many women are hesitant to take medications during pregnancy — especially during the first trimester when their baby's organs are developing. So finding natural remedies for headaches in pregnancy can be a lifesaver.

Let's explore some natural remedies for both treating and preventing headaches during pregnancy.

Pregnant woman sitting in the bed
baona / Getty Images

Treatment

Here are a few ideas from the American Pregnancy Association:

  • For a sinus headache, apply a warm compress around your eyes and nose.
  • For a tension headache, use a cold compress or ice pack at the base of your neck.
  • Eat smaller, more frequent meals to maintain your blood sugar. This may even help prevent headaches.
  • Get a massage, especially around your shoulders and neck.
  • Rest in a dark room.
  • Practice deep breathing.
  • Take a warm shower or bath.
  • Use good posture, especially in the third trimester

Prevention

Preventing a headache from occurring in the first place is the most ideal solution. Here are simple, lifestyle habits that a woman who is pregnant can adopt to help stop the head pain before it starts.

This is especially true for women who suffer from migraines — although, the good news is that many migraineurs experience relief of their migraines in the second and third trimester.

  • Eating nutritious meals at regular intervals throughout the day
  • Walking at least 30 minutes a day
  • Sleep hygiene — not over or under sleeping
  • Stress management techniques like yoga, biofeedback, or relaxation training
  • Consider coenzyme Q10 or magnesium supplements for migraine prevention.

Always speak to your healthcare provider before taking any supplement or medication.

Other strategies include:

  • Reducing work
  • Drinking lots of fluids
  • Acupuncture
  • Physical therapy

What Should You Do?

Be sure to discuss your headaches with your healthcare provider. Let him know if you plan to take a new medication, or if these natural remedies do not relieve your headache. If your headaches get worse or more persistent, or if they are different than headaches you typically experience, share this with your healthcare provider right away.

2 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

  1. Negro A, Delaruelle Z, Ivanova TA, et al. Headache and pregnancy: a systematic review. J Headache Pain. 2017;18(1):106. doi: 10.1186/s10194-017-0816-0

  2. Dixit A, Bhardwaj M, Sharma B. Headache in pregnancy: a nuisance or a new sense?. Obstet Gynecol Int. 2012;2012:697697. doi: 10.1155/2012/697697

Additional Reading

  • American Pregnancy Association. Pregnancy and Headaches.

By Colleen Doherty, MD
 Colleen Doherty, MD, is a board-certified internist living with multiple sclerosis.

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