Why do mothers often have migraines after giving birth?
After giving birth, the mother's body has to go through many changes, both physically and mentally. According to Onlymyhealth, some common reasons why mothers are susceptible to migraines include:
Hormonal changes: After giving birth, estrogen levels drop rapidly, affecting the nervous system and blood vessels.
Prolonged lack of sleep: Taking care of a small child often causes the mother to have disrupted sleep, causing fatigue and stress.
Psychological stress: Anxiety and pressure when taking care of children can trigger headaches.
Dehydration and skipping meals: Forgetting to drink water or eat at the wrong time reduces energy and affects brain blood circulation.
How to manage postpartum migraines
Here are some practical suggestions that mothers can apply to reduce the frequency and severity of migraines:
Recognize the causes of headaches
Pay attention to when pain often occurs, after eating, or when you are too tired or lack sleep.
This makes it easier to recognize the cause and make appropriate adjustments.
Eat and drink and live moderately
Try not to skip meals and drink enough water every day, especially during breastfeeding.
When you have the opportunity, take a break or take a nap to regain your strength.
Thanks to relatives' support
Taking care of the baby day and night can easily make her exhausted.
Sharing taking care of children at night with relatives so you have time to rest.
Relax before bed
Limit the use of electronic devices such as phones and computers before going to bed to avoid affecting sleep quality.
Relax by taking deep breaths, listening to light music or meditation to reduce stress and make it easier to fall asleep.
Diet and hydration
Breastfeeding women need more energy than usual. According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), mothers should supplement about 340400 kcal per day, a total of about 2,0002,800 kcal depending on their activity level.
Some important notes:
Eat all four main groups of foods: starch, protein, vegetables, fruits, and good fats.
Snacking on healthy foods like nuts, unsweetened yogurt, fresh fruit... is both nutritious and helps prevent hunger headaches.
Always keep the water bottle by your side to remind yourself to drink enough water every day.
Safe ways to relieve pain at home
Before taking any medicine, especially when breastfeeding, mothers should consult a doctor. In addition, some of the following natural remedies are also very effective:
Apply a cold compress to your forehead or warm your neck area to reduce muscle tension and pain.
Gentle mating of the forehead, forehead or back of the neck helps relax and relieve pain.
Practicing deep breathing and mindfulness meditation helps reduce anxiety, relax the nervous system, thereby reducing pain.
