Headaches are a well-known bug that many people deal with now and then, but did you know that experiencing a headache(usually a series of them) could also happen after a miscarriage? It’s true.
After a miscarriage, your body goes through a lot of changes, both emotionally and physically. Your hormone levels shift almost suddenly.
Then, on the spur of the moment, you find yourself under emotional stress that seems never-ending. These, together with other factors, can be a recipe for headaches. It’s basically a way your body reacts to the stress and changes ongoing inside it.
It’s important to know that if you are experiencing headaches after a miscarriage, you’re not alone, and it’s a common response to what your body and mind are going through. We discuss this further;
Why do I keep getting headaches after a miscarriage?: Common Causes
Dealing with headaches after a miscarriage is no joke. I’ve witnessed friends and patients go through it, so I can relate to how challenging it is. These are some reasons why this might be happening:
Hormonal changes
This is the first and big reason you probably experiencing headaches after your miscarriage. During pregnancy, your body produces more estrogen and progesterone hormones to support the journey.
These hormones change a whole lotta things in your body, particularly how your brain and vessels work. And this can greatly affect your headache patterns.
Now, after a miscarriage, your body naturally adjusts back to your old non-pregnant self, meaning hormone levels drop significantly.
This drop is a bit like a Giga coaster for your body because it has to adapt to the change all over again. The hormonal roller coaster here can be the big why you find yourself right here on this post!
Stress and Emotional Impact
Stress and the emotional toll of a miscarriage can also be a sufficient reason why someone might suffer from headaches during this difficult time.
Losing a pregnancy can be incredibly emotional and stressful, affecting both the body and mind. When you’re stressed or feeling emotional, your body overreacts, and in several ways, of course.
One of the most common physical symptoms is a headache. This happens because stress tenses up your muscles, including the ones in your neck, shoulders, and head.
When these muscles stay tense for too long, they are definitely gonna trigger a pain in the butt… I mean headaches!
Stress also impacts your hormones, which we already know can affect headaches. Plus when you’re stressed or upset, you might not eat or sleep as well as you usually do.
Not getting enough sleep, or sleeping too much, and not eating right can all contribute to headaches.
Physical strain
Think of your body as a machine that suddenly had to work extra time due to the stress of a miscarriage.
This includes cramping and backaches as your body processes what’s happened. These pains not only make you uncomfortable but tense up those muscles around your neck, shoulders, and back region.
The tension is a bit like holding a tight grip on something for a pretty long time. After a while, the muscles get tired and sore from being in overdrive, which then leads to headaches.
At the same time, this physical strain might make you move or sit differently, trying to ease some discomfort or find a position that’s not as painful.
These changes in how you hold and move your body can double up the strain, making headaches more likely. Additionally, after a miscarriage, you might find your usual patterns of activity and rest change.
You are probably either resting more now or just trying to stay busy to distract yourself. Both changes in activity can affect your body in ways that might not be so obvious, like contributing to tension and, hence, headaches.
How to cope and relieve headaches after a miscarriage: Common Remedies
It can be really tough dealing with headaches after a miscarriage, but these countermeasures can help relieve the pain:
Rest well
One of the most important ways to help cope with these headaches is to make sure you’re getting plenty of rest. When you rest, you’re giving your body a chance to heal both physically and emotionally.
You see, your body has been through a lot, and it needs time to recover. Catching more z’s can be a bit like hitting the reset button for your body as it allows it to focus on healing any parts of you that are hurting, including easing the pain of headaches.
Creating a restful environment can help a lot with this. Try to make your bedroom or wherever you rest a calm and peaceful place. Keep the room cool, drastically limit loud noises, and play gentle, soothing music, or use a white noise machine.
It’s a fantastic idea to stick to a regular sleep schedule. I suggest going to bed and waking up at the same time each day. This would help your body find its natural rhythm.
Sometimes, emotional stress can affect your sleep patterns. This is perfectly normal. How bout trying techniques like deep breathing, meditation, or even gentle yoga before bed to help calm your mind?
Over and done with these and still find sleep elusive? Go ahead and talk with your doctor. They can offer strategies or support that can help you rest better.
Eat healthy Meals
During a time like this, when your body, heart, mind, and soul heart are healing from a miscarriage, it might be tempting to reach for comfort foods that are high in sugar and fat.
While it’s okay to indulge a little, you shouldn’t make it a habit. Instead, eat balanced meals. Include plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins in your meals to make up for the essential nutrients you need.
I bet doing this can make a big difference in how you feel because these nutrients keep your body systems, including your nervous system, working perfectly, which can, in turn, help manage headaches.
For instance, magnesium, often found in leafy greens, nuts, and seeds, has been known to help with headaches.
Staying hydrated by drinking a lot of water and eating foods with high water content, like cucumbers, pineapples, peaches, and watermelons, can prevent a headache from worsening.
Just sometimes, hunger and dehydration trigger headaches; thus, keeping up with regular, nutritious meals and snacks, along with drinking water, can be a simple yet effective way to help prevent or ease the pain.
Relax your muscles
I would mention a few simple ways to relax your muscles.
Taking a warm bath is one. This has been my tried and tested escape from minor headaches, though, and it really soothes my whole body.
The water’s warmth helps to melt away the tension in your muscles, almost like magic. You can add to this relaxing experience by using scented bath oils or bubbles that you enjoy.
It indeed turns the whole experience into a special moment of calm for yourself.
Another way to relax your muscles and ease your headache is through yoga or gentle stretching. These activities help to loosen up the tight areas in your body, allowing your muscles to release any pent-up stress they’re holding onto.
Keeping a slow body movement mindfully can also help clear your mind, making it easier to cope with stress and reduce the likelihood of headaches.
Massage is another fantastic way to help relax your muscles. If it’s possible, you can book a massage with a professional who can help target the areas where you’re feeling the most tension.
You can also ask a partner or a friend for a gentle shoulder rub or even learn to do some simple self-massage techniques. Your focus areas should be your shoulders and temples, as massaging these areas can greatly help with headache relief.
Breathing exercises can also help relax your muscles and reduce headaches. Slow, deep breaths can help calm your mind and body. As you focus on your breathing, you permit your muscles to relax, and this can have a direct impact on reducing your headaches.
It’s worth emphasizing that your body has gone through a lot, and it’s okay to take the time to care for yourself.
Pain relief medication
Just like you might take medicine when you have a cold or a sore throat, there are medicines that you can take for headaches.
Over-the-counter pain relievers like acetaminophen, ibuprofen, or aspirin can often relieve you of that persisting megrim.
It’s kind of like putting a bandage on a cut—it doesn’t fix everything right away, but it helps you feel more comfortable while your body heals.
Always, and I repeat, always read the directions on the bottle or wrapper and only take the recommended amount. If you’re uncertain bout which medicine to take or the exact amounts to pop in, ask your doctor or a pharmacist.
Sometimes, even with medicine, headaches can stick around, and that can be really tough. If the pain doesn’t go away, or if it’s really strong and persistent, it’s important to let your doctor know.
They can check to make sure everything is okay and help you figure out if there’s another way to help your headaches.
Avoid Headache Triggers
Being in a bright or flickering light is one thing that brings a headache to me. And it’s very common! Try to hang out in rooms with soft lighting, or if you’re outside on a sunny day, wearing sunglasses can be a big help.
Another thing to watch out for is loud noise. Just like you’d lower the volume when your favorite song is too loud on the radio, turning down the noise in your surroundings can keep headaches at bay.
This might mean saying no to noisy places for a bit and finding your quiet space. Some foods and drinks can also make migraines more likely to happen.
You know how sometimes you have to say no to that extra slice of cake? It’s sort of the same idea. Things like coffee or chocolate can incite headaches, so you might want to skip them for a little while.
And stress—well, it’s a big one. It can sneak up on you like a cat you didn’t even know was there, and suddenly, you’ve got a headache.
Doing things to calm your mind, like taking deep breaths, listening to some cools, or snuggling under a cozy blanket, might help pretty well keep those headaches in check.
How long does it take for your body to go back to normal after a miscarriage?
After a miscarriage, your body goes through a lot. And it needs some time to heal and get back to how it was before. The time it takes can differ a lot for everyone, honestly.
Usually, physical recovery takes a few weeks, which often means waiting for the bleeding to stop, which can go on for a couple of weeks.
Your hormone levels need to adjust back to their normal, non-pregnant state, too. This process is kind of like your body hitting the reset button.
For most women, their menstrual cycle starts again within four to six weeks after this incident, but this timing can vary. That’s the body’s way of saying things are getting back on track.
However, it’s worth remembering that even if the outside signs like bleeding and pain go away, your body is still working a lot on the inside to get everything back to normal.
Recovering emotionally is just as important and can take some time. Losing a pregnancy is a big event, and just like it takes time to get over a big shock, your feelings need time to heal, too.
Feelings of sadness, loss, or even anger are normal during this time. You can’t skip them! It’s equally important to show yourself some kindness and understanding as much as you’d give in some time.
Reach out to friends, family, or counselors who can offer the support you need. Also, keep up with check-ups and follow up with your physician to ensure that your body is healing as it should.
Our bodies and experiences are different, so what’s normal for me might not be for you, and contrariwise. Whether it’s physical or emotional recovery, your journey might be longer or shorter than others.
Are Headaches Common After Miscarriage?: Wrap
You aren’t alone! Post-miscarriage headaches are always a normal part of the process. Over 80% of my patients who have experienced miscarriages encounter this.
And the leading causes are drastic hormonal changes and, of course, the emotional stress following the loss.
Fortunately, you can effectively manage them by adhering to the tips I suggested above. Talk of managing stress, avoiding known headache triggers, and getting a healthy routine.
If you find the headaches are severe or persisting, it’s wise to talk to your doctor. They’d check if there aren’t any underlying issues. Taking care of yourself both physically and emotionally is key to recovery after such a challenging experience.
