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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

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Original poster

Headaches

11 replies

Naetha · 01/10/2007 10:30

Hiya, I've been getting terrible headaches for about the last two months (I'm 27 weeks pregnant at the moment) and paracetamol doesn't seem to take the edge off any more.

Any suggestions? Working on a computer all day is starting to get unbearable.

OP posts:

Pheebe · 01/10/2007 10:36

If it was me I would:

get my BP checked
get my eyes tested
make sure the computer has an anti-glare cover
try wearing very light sun glasses when working at the computer
try the headache roll on (any chemist)
try and limit the amount of time staring at the screen (take frequent breaks, look out of the window every 10 mins or so)
if all else fails, think about early mat leave...

kekouan · 01/10/2007 10:37

Have you had your eyes tested?

Maybe get your screen looked at too (does it flicker at all)

Sorry, possibly not helpful at all, but just a thought.

kekouan · 01/10/2007 10:37

Oh, and drink litres and litres of water.

MarchMum · 01/10/2007 10:38

A little contorversial but my dr said try a half a cup of coffee in the morning!

scruffymomma · 01/10/2007 10:44

I was just about to post exactly the same message!

I'm nearly 16 weeks and the 3 day long headaches are back (used to get loads when on the pill)

I suspect it might be a hormonal thing that you just can't do anything about but make sure that pre-eclampsia and dodgy eyesight have been ruled out. I have read that pregnancy can affect your vision so you may be straining more to read.

Anyone know if / when the head in a vice thing starts to fade? They are driving me mad, and v. annoying that they've taken over just as I'd gotten over the sickness.

PregnantGrrrl · 01/10/2007 10:47

could be:

anaemia
dehydration
blood pressure

i had headaches and it was eased when i knew my blood count was low and i sorted it out.

MarchMum · 01/10/2007 10:50

I am 18 weeks today and they seem to be gone...hope same for you.

Obviously rule out the serious stuff but the coffee and water really helped me get through a particularly bad week. The dr says the hormones enlarge the vessels in your head, hence, vice grip thing. A little bit of coffee will reduce them.

Original poster

Naetha · 01/10/2007 10:55

Unfortunately I wake up with the headache - the computer setup is all fine and my eyes were tested just recently, I think its just a case of the computer exacerbating the existing headache.

Unfortunately its one of those things where if I'm having fun (i.e. not at work) it hovers in the background, but when I'm having to do stuff I don't enjoy as much it really makes it hell

BP was tested last week and a bit on the low side, but nothing out of normal range. Am also drinking lots at the moment (5ish pints water a day plus cups of tea).

Think I might just have to finish early a couple of days when it all gets too much.

OP posts:

kekouan · 01/10/2007 11:15

Do you just take 1 x 500mg paracetamol? Mine suggested I take 2 x 500mg, but then I don't get them too often.

This is an old trick I used to use...

Put the palm of your hand on your forehead (gentle pressure) and with your other hand, massage the tendons at the back of your head (at the base of your skull, either side of your spine, hard to describe, hope you know where I mean).

It can release the tension in the tendons and can provide some relief. You might look a bit daft doing it in the office, but found that it helped me.

Did it on a friend once - she thought it was a magic trick

positive · 01/10/2007 13:31

have you seen your gp or mw?? also have you asked for a risk assessment at work?? these should be done at regular intervals when you are pregnant

if the risk assessment identifies it as a problem sitting at computer too long then your employer should find you suitable alternative work if problem is pregnancy related, thats why I would speak to gp and or mw.
you'll find info on HSE website regarding RA's and pregnancy - there is a thread on the employment section regarding this

Gill79 · 01/10/2007 14:00

Hi Naetha - poor you, it's horrible, isn't it? I had terrible headaches for a while although cleared up by 17 weeks or so - sorry! Nothing really worked once the headache properly set in but there were things that triggered it:

Go home (or don't leave the house in the first place) as soon as it starts to get sore
Don't tie your hair up or wear anything on your head.
Keep your heart rate as low as possible.
Plenty of rest - I made sure I took at least one sick day a week - even if I wasn't feeling bad that day I knew that five days on was just too much and would make everything worse overall.

I was a bit anaemic at the time so this could have caused it. I don't know how easy it is for you to do but take as much time off as you need - I regret not taking more time off sick when I felt so bad!

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