Severe headache in first trimester

[SassyPants87]

Hi

I was hoping someone might be able to give me some advice
Before pregnancy I used to be prone to headaches here and there but currently whilst pregnant I've been having the worst headaches! I think they are more like migraines (never had them before). Has anyone else experienced this too? It's driving me crazy!

I was the same most of my pregnancy, although it was definitely worse in the first half. I found cold packs on my neck and forehead really helped. Also saw a specialist at the pain clinic at the hospital and they said I could take normal pharmacy strength co-codamol to help me sleep when it was really bad.

Hope you feel better soon - try putting a cold pack around your head a lie down in the dark.

This may be a stupid question, but are you sure you're drinking enough?

Thanks @SquigglePigs I'm going to give the cold pack a go and have some paracetamol. If it doesn't ease up by tomorrow I'll give me midwife a call. @BrooHaHa I drink about 2 litres of water a day. I have had really rubbish sleep the past couple of nights so that could be a contributing factor. I've been having headaches on and off in my first trimester but the one tonight is KILLER!

I've had headaches and migraines throughout, paracetamol has helped sometimes but other more painful ones I've just had to ride it out. Got referred to a neurologist but this was cancelled due to covid. They do seem to have almost stopped now though just the i Cassio always headache, I'm now 19 weeks. Fingers crossed yours pass but it may be a case of putting on your big girl pants like me and riding it out x

I've had this as well. Spent 22 hours in bed on/off sleeping once it was so bad. My midwife wasn't very helpful, just said as you're in 1st trimester it's probably nothing. When it was still happening in 2nd trimester she just said speak to the GP.

Is it impacting your vision? If so call the early pregnancy unit xx

I’ve had loads of headaches just started to ease off at 4 months 🤞 I think we are a lot more sinusey too in pregnancy so that’s doesn’t help, paracetamol, water and 4head stick did help! Congrats xx

I'll add to the voices saying it eased off around 4 months (only a couple of weeks after the nice lady at the pain clinic said I could take co-codamol if I needed it!). I still got the odd one after that but considerably lower frequency and lower intensity.

Above all else be kind to yourself - accept you are in pain and need to stop/rest etc. Pre-pregnancy I had a bad habit of working through my migraines because I got them so often. I quickly learnt that wasn't an option when I was pregnant.

Also try to work out if you have any triggers for the worse ones - for example for me it was bright lights and letting my blood sugar drop off (same as migraines pre-pregnancy) plus I got diagnosed with gestational diabetes so think it was a bit of a sign - also my blood pressure is on the higher side so think it was a little inevitable!.

I’ve had a lot of headaches too (7+1) way more than any sickness I’ve had