Headaches around 12 Weeks

[JuniperAndTonic]

Hi,

I’ve been really suffering with daily headaches for the last week or so - I’m 12 weeks pregnant today. Trying to make sure I’m drinking plenty of water and getting enough sleep but I just can’t shift the headache once it starts, even with paracetamol 😢

Anyone else experienced this? Is it a normal pregnancy symptom? Thinking of checking with the GP tomorrow just in case but don’t want to waste their time and who knows if I’ll even get an appointment!

Did you suffer with headaches/migraines before pregnancy? Migraines were always my tell tell sign I was due on. When I was pregnant I got headaches from around 13 weeks mark until the 24 weeks mark. It would knock me out and paracetamol wouldn't touch the sides of the pain. Was also making sure I was drinking enough, but when they started there was no return. It was dark room and sleep it off. Sometimes they would last days as a dull headache. My midwife said it was more than likely hormones triggering it. But I haven't had one since December now. I'm 34 weeks now x

Yeah, I’ve always suffered with heada he’s, same as you especially around my periods. I assumed it’s hormones too as that makes sense! Thanks for sharing 😊

My midwife recommended a can of full fat coke. Did the trick

@Hugasauras I might have to try that, I do love a can of Coke but I’ve been avoiding caffeine! Might be worth a go though.

Thanks all, waiting for a call back from the GP, I’m sure it’s just a pregnancy symptom but hoping to get some reassurance from them!

Def give it a go. I suffered horribly with headaches with DD1, apparently it's very common, but the Coke really worked, and this time round with DD2 I hardly had any as I knew what worked!

And caffeine is totally fine to have, the safe limits from NHS are actually pretty generous and easily stretch to a can of Coke and some other bits during the day. If you've totally cut caffeine out then there might be an element of caffeine withdrawal too!

Yes, I remember this well from the 10-14 mark. Thankfully it went away after that.

Yea I had the for a few weeks luckily they did go away. I found the 4head menthol stick helped if I caught them early also the migraine cooling strips I would put one on my head and one on the back of my neck. Really helped when I couldn't take anything stronger x

Yes I had them almost constantly for a while, 8-13/14weeks ish and like you, when they set in I couldn't shift them (historically ibuprofen has always sorted them but obviously that's a no go for pregnancy).

What fixed it for me, other then time and hormones settling (19w now) is making sure I don't live off white carbs, and drinking at least 5 litres of water a day. Now they're rare instead of a daily occurrence!