What causes headaches in pregnancy?

[sarahscot]

I'm 15+6wks and for the last couple of weeks I've been getting bad headaches. For the last three days I've had a constant headache. The pain is mainly across the front of my head and in my eyeballs. I took my BP today (my gran has a hospital one) and it was 106/66. Not sure if that would be anything to do with it? I got a lot of headaches in my last pregnancy too. I don't like taking too much paracetamol, but the pain is horrendous some days.

Anyone know what causes these pregnancy headaches?

I suffered with this and do not normally get headaches. MW's suggesting hormornal changes.

Looking back (I'm now 41 wks) I think it was more to do with stress and working too much and my body's reaction. Are you very busy with work/family, you might be surprised how much better you feel for taking some time out. Its annoying especially if you have a lot of obligations, but it was the only way of stopping mine although a little caffeine (small cup) would sometimes head one off

I don't know, but I had a migraine on Tuesday with flashing lights and everything, and then I've got a corker of a headache today. Have had cups of tea and a sleep and it hasn't really made much difference.

Bah humbug.

sarah I have every sympathy. I'm 17+5 and it was about 2 weeks ago that I had a 2 week thumping headache which was hell. Eventually when it got so bad I got nauseous and a bit of dizzy I phoned in sick to work and spent the day sleeping which helped.

Your BP is only a little higher than mine, and it's nice and low, so I don't think you need to worry about pre-eclampsia or anything as that is high BP.

My tips would be to drink more water (it is astounding how much you seem to need whilst pg, - check your wee colour!). And then to get more sleep. I now go to bed at 8pm and the headaches have largely receeded. If you need to take a day or two off sick to rest then do. Listen to your body.

Also I would mention it to your MW. Mine checked my BP and asked how I was sleeping. Because of back and hip pain the answer was "badly" so she thought mine were likely to be due to tiredness which I probably agree with.

Or it can be a bit of a reaction to the hormones. Did you get headaches with your periods/the pill? If so, that might suggest you're sensitive to the hormonal changes.

Hope you feel better soon.

Thanks everyone. I think it could well be down to tiredness. I go to bed at 8 anyway, have done throughout this pregnancy. I also work full time as a primary teacher in quite a 'challenging' school, have a three year old son and a husband who works 12 hours a day so is never home to do dinner/bath/bedtime stuff. In three more weeks I've got a fortnight off though - will try to get by until then.

Oops - I just posted a related thread about headaches! Should have read this first! Am sure that with a BP of 105/66, you don't need to worry about pre-eclampsia.

My MW suggested drinking more water, too.

Agree that its hormonal changes. I have had non stop headaches for the past 3 days and had a BFP today which totally explains everything.