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blood volume and circulation may also play a part, especially in early pregnancy.
Stopping caffeine abruptly can also make your head pound.

Other possible causes of headaches during pregnancy include:
• Lack of sleep or general fatigue
• Sinus congestion
• Allergies
• Eyestrain
• Stress
• Depression
• Hunger
• Dehydration

How to relieve pregnancy headaches

Simple painkillers like Paracetamol are often helpful, however Ibuprofen and most
migraine drugs are not recommended for pregnant women so seek medical advice.

Use a compress. For a tension headache, apply a warm or cool compress to your
forehead or the base of your skull. Cold compresses tend to work best for migraines.

Take a shower. For some migraine sufferers, a cold shower brings fast – if temporary –
relief. If you can't take a shower, splash cool water on your face. A warm shower or bath
can soothe tension headaches.

Don't go hungry or thirsty. To prevent low blood sugar (a common headache trigger), eat
small meals frequently. When you're on the go, take along some snacks (cereal bars, fruit),
avoid sugary snacks like biscuits sweets and fizzy drinks which can make your blood
sugar spike and crash and make the headache worse

And don't forget to drink plenty of water to stay hydrated. Sip water slowly if you have
vomited from a migraine.

Avoid fatigue. Get plenty of sleep at night. When you're having a migraine, sleep in a
quiet, dark room.

Exercise. Some evidence shows that regular exercise can reduce the frequency and
severity of migraines and reduce the stress that can cause tension headaches. If you're
prone to migraines, get started slowly – a sudden burst of activity could trigger one. (And
don't exercise once a migraine has started because it will aggravate the headache.)
Exercises to help you maintain good posture may be especially helpful with headaches
during the third trimester.

So a weekly Birthfit class is ideal for this see www.frombumps2babies.co.uk

Try relaxation techniques. Meditation, yoga and guided self-hypnosis using a pregnancy
hypnobirthing CD may be helpful for reducing stress and headaches in some sufferers.

Get a massage. Some women who suffer from tension headaches swear by massage,
although it's unclear whether it's effective in preventing or relieving headaches. A full-body