Headaches normal in second trimester?

[maria2bela]

For the last week now I've been getting daily headaches, usually I can manage on my own but yesterday I had to take paracetamol as it was so bad and spreading down my neck. Is this normal? I have a blood pressure machine and BP is normal, in my last pregnancy I had protein in urine at 37 weeks and was induced due to suspected onset on Pre eclampsia, my antenatal appointments at hospital have been cancelled until June. I'm just a little worried this could be an early sign of history repeating itself, or is it quite common?

P.s I don't remember experiencing headaches like this in last pregnancy.

It's really common, but as you've noted it's also a sign of pre-eclampsia so good to check in with a call to your midwife, and keep an eye out for any visual disturbance and swelling etc. Hope you feel better soon, I had them and it was rough!!

It's so normal.

Go through the normal checklist.

Are you supposed to wear glasses? If so, are you wearing them and is your prescription up to date?

Have you recently increased screen time? Are you using a blue light filter?

Have you recently increased or decreased your caffeine intake?

Are you drinking enough? How is your diet in general?

Are you getting enough sleep?

Are you wearing your hair in a ponytail?

How is your sleep position? You could have a headache caused by neck or shoulder tension. Particularly if it's hurting in the neck area now, this sounds the most likely. It could be something like a jerk action that has pulled a muscle or trapped a nerve or something constant like sleep or seating position.

It could also be hormonal. Do everything you can to ensure you're supporting a headache free existence (hydrate, support your neck, try not to spend too much time in front of a screen and bright lights in general, keep your caffeine intake normal, let your hair down, wear your glasses if you need them). If it's not changed within a few days, contact your midwife and tell them everything you have done. They should test right away.

Hope you feel better soon x