Causes of Pregnancy Headaches

[niamh29]

I know it's been done before but I never had this problem before so didn't really read the threads : (

Im 18 weeks with DC3 and for the past couple of days I've had dull lingering headaches that go from my head and down my neck, as I've said I haven't had this with either of my other pregnancies and i wouldnt be prone to them when im not pregnant, i am reluctant to take panadol unless it gets very bad. Has anyone else had this and what causes headaches in pregnancy?

I would imagine it is all the raging hormones swimming through your body that is giving you the headaches.

I had tremendously bad headaches in my first trimester and a bit of the second. They were vile and would leave me crying in a dark room wishing I wasn't pregnant.

horrid.

I had a quick google and one thing they said was that hunger can cause it and I have noticed that they go after I've had my dinner, maybe I'm leaving it too long between meals (lunch is at 12 and dinner is 5:30-6:00) ?????

Well, yes, that could certainly be a cause. If your blood sugar gets low then you can get a headache.

Something like nuts would be a good snack.

A few triggers I've identified include: hormones, dehydration, low blood sugar, poor fitting bras, poor posture generally, neck tension from different sleeping positions without appropriate pillows, lack of sleep, sinus pressure from having a cold without decongestants...

Paracetamol is considered fine in pregnancy and all painkillers work best if you take them before the pain gets extreme.

spending too much time hunched over laptop on MN?

japhrimel can i just say.. your posts are ALWAYS SO helpful and info packed

Your a real treasure to us panicy MN'ers, Thank you xx

Aww, thank you! What with the OC and now a cold, I'm spending way too much time on MN rather than doing anything more productive!

I'm 22 weeks pregnant and have suffered with bad headaches throughout, they do seem to coincide with a bad nights sleep! I've read that it can be hormonal too. It's a nightmare tho as I don't like taking medication! Really sympathize with all other sufferers xx

I've been getting odd headaches too - and they seem to be triggered by heat. E.g. when I'm taking a shower and I tilt my head back to rinse out shampoo, the warm water touching the top of my forehead triggers a dull ache. Or putting logs on our wood fire - opening the door, I have to be careful to keep my face away. Very odd, never had that before!