Headaches in first trimester

[H8624]

I'm in my first trimester (just over 6 weeks) and for the past week I've been getting constant but mild headaches. They're usually manageable although get worse when I'm working as I'm in front of a computer screen, but today it was so bad I had to take the day off work! Has anyone else has these in the first trimester and did you have any nice remedies that helped manage them? Today I took paracetamol and it made no difference when normally it does! Don't want to keep taking it daily though as I know I shouldn't! Also drank a ton of water.

Any suggestions would be great :)

It's not necessarily to do with being pregnant. I posted on here a few weeks ago about having headaches nearly every day since lockdown, and a lot of others have had the same. I think it's a combination of stress and too much screen time. Paracetamol didn't do anything for me either, try nurofen - they seemed to have more effect

Nurofen is often advised be avoided in pregnancy due to risk of miscarriage. Just wanted to let you know do you can make an informed decision whether to take it x

I was getting the same. Not every day, but a few times a week. I've had maybe 1 headache in the past year, so it was likely a pregnancy symptom for me. I was incredibly thirsty also, and keeping hydrated helps with headaches. When did you last have your eyes checked? Eye issues and also using a computer screen more can be a culprit. Try to take a break from the screen at least hourly. Look outside and focus on things farther away, do some stretches etc.

Yeah I had this and it was crap! Aside from paracetamol, I found that 4Head stuff sometimes helped a bit. It did stop not long after i entered second trimester, but it was miserable so I sympathise! Oh another thing, my midwife suggested drinking a can of Coke, as caffeine can sometimes help (obviously stick within the recommended limits). It did actually work, weirdly!

Mine lasted until 16 weeks.

This is me today, all day in bed, taken panadol, drank water and slept, the only think that is helping to lift it is an ice block from the freezer, these feels more like a migraine, think its worry, sickness has eased of the last week and now hit with this the last few days! 10+4 weeks

I had them until about 16 weeks, paracetamol didn't do much and I was scared to take them too often but my GP and then Neurologist said it was fine and if they were really bad I could try cocodamol. I second the can of Coke though as sometime I would have a coffee and it would help more than the paracetamol! Again obviously within guidelines!

A bizarre trick that always fixes my worst headaches.

Get a pillow and roll it up as tight as you can, so it makes a hard-ish sausage. Lie down on your back with the pillow-sausage under your head so the pressure is at the base of your skull. Ideally in the dark, close eyes and relax.

It takes a while but it works without fail, for me at least. I feel so much better after some rest like that. The most important thing is the pressure from the pillow, as it hits a pressure point there that helps.

I hope that makes sense, and hope they ease off soon - I had them badly first trimester too.

Thanks all for your replies!

I read that Nurofen shouldn't be used in pregnancy so will avoid that!

Sounds like I'm not the only one suffering. I got some of that 4head stuff today which I think will work for minor ones hopefully!

Perhaps I'll try having some coke and see if that helps. I have switched to decaf tea and coke so maybe it's because I'm basically having no caffeine now, although I didn't have a huge amount before!