Severe headache at 23 weeks but low BP

[Georgus]

Hi, posting because I’m a FTM and not sure what to do.

im 23 weeks pregnant and have had a severe headache for 3 days now that won’t go with paracetamol. I’m aware of pre-eclampsia but I measured my BP today and I’m measuring very normal and healthy. I have no risk factors. I used to get bad migraines many years ago.

Is this one of those instances where I still need to phone triage? I wouldn’t want to waste anyone’s time but worrying about the baby. In my mind if my BP is ok then it’s probably just a bad migraine than anything else?

I had a urine test last week and nothing showed up.

Get checked out

Are you allowed aspirin in pregnancy? I can't recall.

I'd try aspirin and half a cola if that's ok. It can help severe headaches immensely.

I’ve had this for the last 3 weeks - I also had migraines pre pregnancy. I’m 22 weeks. I went to the GP and they can give you a few things but first suggested ibuprofen. The issue is nothing has been tested on pregnant women so everything has an unknown risk attached (though probably quite low for ibuprofen). Mines an ivf baby so I didn’t want any risk really, but the GP did say she took ibuprofen and was ok. She shared the BUMPs website with me - link below.
I got signed off work by the GP and rested for a week which has helped but migraines still come on particularly in the morning or evening. I’m drinking 4/5 lites of water so it’s not dehydration. It’s so hard in pregnancy as there’s just nothing you can really do. I know mine is not preeclampsia currently but I have had vision loss and they have been horrific headaches - like bad tension all over.

I really feel for you! They are truly awful. I hope yours go away quickly. I’d say mention to your midwife and go to the doctor for help/a sick note and try and rest as much as possible. Sending hugs xx

https://www.medicinesinpregnancy.org/leaflets-a-z/migraine/

No unfortunately not - it’s paracetamol or take at your own risk type approach 🙃🙃🙃

I'm only 13 weeks but had this recently and it lasted a good 4 days. I could barely see and just had to lie in a dark room for hours.

I did have pre-eclampsia in my first pregnancy but, yes, the main signs of that are generally high BP and protein in urine - you can order cheap test sticks on amazon which check the protein and other things in your urine. I found it helpful to keep an eye on everything myself. Also my pre-eclampsia headaches tended to be accompanied by visual disturbances too.

According to my doctor headaches can be a 'normal' part of pregnancy that some women suffer from unfortunately but, if in any doubt, get yourself checked out

I had this as well, severe headache for 3-4 days wasn't lifting at all with paracetamol. Turns out it was an infected/abcessed tooth, after a round of antibiotics I felt better and the headaches ceased. Sorry if this isn't particularly helpful. But if your blood pressure is ok then it's probably nothing to worry about. But if in doubt get it checked out

Oh I totally forgot to say that I was on another thread on this this week and someone recommended taking magnesium also, so might be worth giving a go?
I also have just been for a pregnancy massage as I’ve been side sleeping and my shoulders and neck are incredibly tight and sore which I don’t imagine helps headaches - the masseuse said it was tight all up my neck and even on my scalp so I’m hoping it will help with my migraines. I’ll let you know! 😊

Who checked your BP? If it just your own at home machine, I think you need to ring triage and just get it checked at hospital. I had preeclampsia in my last pregnancy and the hospital wouldn't accept my home machine numbers as the make of my machine wasn't validated for use with pregnant women (in the end, they lent me one of theirs for the few weeks until DD2 was born). As pp have said, unfortunately hormone related headaches can be part of being pregnant, but i think you def need to rule out preeclampsia first if paracetamol isn't making a difference. It just isn't worth the risk.