13 weeks pregnant and blinding headaches

[Rubyshoos]

Hi Everyone
I'm 13 weeks pregnant and after getting through the past 3 months struck down with awful morning sickness which just seems to be (finally!) passing, I'm now suffering from the most awful headaches and I was hoping someone out there had some advice or could put my mind at rest? This is my second pregnancy and when pregnant with my ds I never suffered from headaches, yet a couple of my pregnancy books say they are very common. I've pretty much had mine all weekend and it's particularly bad when I bend down or have been sitting down for a while and stand up again - the pressure and thumping pain is awful. I gave in yesterday and took two paracetamol after talking to my local pharmacist, but they didn't work. I'm in quite a lot of pain and don't normally suffer from headaches. Being the drama queen that I am I'm imagining there is something really wrong with me! Can anyone offer any advice or put my mind at rest?
thanks!

[gnatbite]

I have the same - started last week (14 weeks with 2nd pg) I think mine may be due to low blood pressure and have been trying to put my feet up and drink more. They are still there though, I don't see my midwife until next week so am going to ask then. I think it's a pretty common side effect of pregnancy, so please try not to worry.

[gnatbite]

Although, saying that, it might be worth getting your blood pressure checked as it can also be a sign of high blood pressure which is obviously alot more serious than low...

[Rubyshoos]

Thanks gnatbite - everyone has said to me I may be dehydrated so I'm drinking loads of water, but it doesn't seem to be making much difference and I keep having to go to the loo! Will ring midwife tomorrow and see what she says, glad I'm not alone in this!

[alexw]

Hi. Am 12 weeks and have had awful headaches all weekend too. Think it's not drinking enough coupled with hormones.

[gnatbite]

Good luck, I'd be interested to hear what your midwife says if you don't mind reporting back [nosey]!!!

[Rubyshoos]

Absolutely - will ring her in the morning and then post again at lunchtime with hopefully some wise and helpful words. I've just been looking online at 'headaches in pregnancy' and it does seem very common and very unlikely to mean there is anything seriously wrong (unless coupled with dizziness and blind spots) which fortunately I don't have!

[gnatbite]

alex, sorry to hear you're in the same boat, the joys of hormones eh!! (although useful to blame when admitting to all my friends that I voted for the twins on X Factor )

[gnatbite]

actually maybe it's them that has caused all this - mine do seem to be worse at weekends...!!

Thanks Ruby, let me know if she mentions John & Edward...!!

[Rubyshoos]

Ah, that's interesting - according to my headache 'research' - headaches are more likely to happen at weekends when you are less stressed and winding down. During the week you are so focused and busy your brain doesn't have time to give you a headache but at the weekend when you are meant to be relaxing (yeah, with a two year old, right?!) then headaches are more likely to occur. John and Edward are my guilty pleasure (just read that back and it sounds a bit dodgy, me being a 33 year old married mother) but they are great!

[thehuntress]

I've had headaches frequently too. I'm now 17 weeks. Paracetemol does work for me (especially if i have a caffeinated drink at the same time, usually coke or coffee). It is completely safe, so I would maybe try again if I were you. It might take the edge off at least.

I've found that if I don't catch it at the start with the paracetemol and caffeine, it stays for up to three days and not much provides relief. One was so bad I considered going to A&E. The realisation that there was really nothing they could do stopped me.

I wear those headache strips too. You can buy them at the pharmacy. I also have a migraine cap I bought online that I keep in the freezer - do a websearch for migracap. 4Head (stick kind) that you rub on your foreheaad provides temporary relief too.

Hope that helps and that you feel better soon.

By the way, I think mine are caused by hormones as drinking more water never helps.

[Rubyshoos]

Thanks huntress, all helpful stuff. I agree about the water, it's not making any difference and I do feel better when I've had a cup of tea, so I may go and put the kettle on right now. It's just a relief to know that it's not unusual and there are other people experiencing the same thing. This pregnancy has been so different to my first, if I'm honest I'm hoping all these different symptoms may mean it might be a little girl in there causing all the problems (but I'd only admit that here on mumsnet!) xxxx

[kitsmummy]

I had exactly the same thing - total blinding headaches and paracetamol didn't touch them. The doctor reluctantly gave me some stronger tablets. They probably helped a little bit but didn't stop it completely. They did however disappear at 18 weeks when I finally started feeling better. Btw, my first pregnancy (DS) was absolutely fine, 2nd pregnancy (DD) was awful, so you could well be having a girl!

If you work, your midwife will sign you off for a couple of weeks. I dropped my hours at work for a couple of weeks, my body just couldn't cope with it all, and after that I was much better.

[thehuntress]

I forgot to say that I've been so much better the last week. Hopefully this will give you hope. Chances are that things will start to improve for you soon.

[MichC]

I have exactly the same ladies! Wake up every morning with a blinding headache. Thought it may be my pillows to begin with but new ones didn't help. Spoke to my midwife last week and, after checking my blood pressure, confirmed they were hormonal. She said paracetamol was safe, even if they don't do anything! I am still battling them. However half term this week so at least i get a week off work!!

This is alos my second pregnancy, maybe their is a pattern, not hormones at all just the delights of a 2 year old!!

[MyNameIsInigoMontoya]

I seem to get these as well for several weeks in 2nd trimester. I found 4Head helped (paracetamol didn't do much for me). Also I think I was more likely to get them the day after overdoing things or not getting enough sleep; so trying to take it easy may help, though I know it's not always possible!

[Rubyshoos]

Thanks everyone. Feeling a bit better today, although it's still there just not quite as thumping. Spoke to the midwife who gave me the same advice: paracetamol absolutely fine and drink plenty of water, so I guess I'll just keep battling on and hope this too will pass!

[gnatbite]

Thanks for the feedback Ruby, sorry to hear that there's nothing you can do but reassuring to hear it's "normal". Hope you continue to feel better

[SouthLondonIsWonderful]

With both my preganancies I suffered with horrible headaches, I found the only thing that helped but did not eliminate it completly was paracetemol plus, all it has is some extra caffiene in, some advice says you shouldn't have it, and it is obviously up to you but it did help me, also the headaches stopped around 20 weeks.........good luck

[kellze]

In my second pg now. 19 weeks and had no adverse symptoms with ds who is now 11 so i have maybe forgotten. Seriously bad headaches with this one. Would wake me up, actually phoned dp in australia to complain about it at 3am. Got checked for blood pressure etc and told to take paracetamol. took the edge off but not wonderful. This was for a couple of weeks from 13-15. All seems to be ok now.