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Pregnancy

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

Original poster

Headache won't go away

13 replies

Shynslk · 08/03/2025 18:45

16w3d today and I've had a headache for the past 3 days now, just about. On Thursday night is when it's started. I had a nap yesterday after work hoping it would help but it didn't. I slept early, thinking maybe once I wake up it'll be better but nope. Been to work today and just felt constantly sick and started to feel dizzy after a while. Had another 2 hour nap after work but my head is still just as painful. I'm already taking aspirin due to a pre eclampsia risk, but I also took some paracetamol yesterday before bed. They're just not touching the sides. I'm not dehydrated either, I'm drinking enough water in a day. My husband's massaged my head, gave me a damp cloth to put on my head. I'm sleeping, drinking water, taking my vitamins, taking painkillers but it won't go away. Does anyone have any advice?

OP posts:
Kaybee1989 · 08/03/2025 18:55

Take your blood pressure to make sure that it’s not high or low and go see a Dr.
Sometimes things that seem small are more important than we think and it’s always better to be safe than sorry 💕

MissMoneyFairy · 08/03/2025 18:59

As you're already o. Aspirin as you're at risk of eclampsia I would seek medical help ASAP, either ring 111 who will advise you to go to hospital, or maybe ring the maternity unit, midwife.

sel2223 · 08/03/2025 19:01

I've suffered quite a bit with headaches on and off throughout this pregnancy and have been checked a lot for pre-eclampsia as I've had that previously and am high risk but it's not that.

At one point before 20 weeks my BP was very low so I also had low energy and feeling faint - I did actually pass out on two occasions unfortunately - and the headaches seemed to be linked to that.

Later, in the third trimester, my BP is now stable but I was diagnosed with severe anemia and had to have an iron infusion. Don't know if that's connected but it does seem to have helped the headaches.

When's your next appointment? It would be useful to check your urine, blood and BP.

Original poster
Shynslk · 08/03/2025 19:07

@sel2223 my next midwife appointment is on Thursday so I don't know whether to just wait until then and get checked over or call the midwife sooner just for some advice or reassurance or something. I'm thinking it's from lack of sleep because, even though I'm napping, I'm not really having a full night's sleep. I'll be up and down. I had about 6 hours broken sleep last night

OP posts:
Gliblet · 08/03/2025 19:09

Ring 111 or your local maternity unit and get some advice - I know it's tempting to struggle on till Thursday but there's really no point. This is what they're there for. Is it the pain that's stopping you sleeping? Pain that keeps you awake or wakes you from sleep is a sign that something needs looking at.

sel2223 · 08/03/2025 19:13

Shynslk · 08/03/2025 19:07

@sel2223 my next midwife appointment is on Thursday so I don't know whether to just wait until then and get checked over or call the midwife sooner just for some advice or reassurance or something. I'm thinking it's from lack of sleep because, even though I'm napping, I'm not really having a full night's sleep. I'll be up and down. I had about 6 hours broken sleep last night

It could definitely be the lack of sleep.
I'd give your assessment unit or midwife a call and just see what they say. They might be fine for you to wait till Thursday or they might want to see you earlier.

Good luck

Original poster
Shynslk · 08/03/2025 19:14

@Gliblet once I get to sleep I'm alright, not sure if the pain is waking me up or I'm just dealing with a bit of insomnia at the moment because I do manage to get back to sleep within a few minutes, but when I wake up properly I can really feel the pain in my head.

OP posts:
Gliblet · 08/03/2025 19:22

Okay, so 111 or assessment/early pregnancy unit and see what they say. No-one gives out medals for getting through pregnancy without making a nuisance of yourself 😁 And it really is best not to take risks with pre-eclampsia.

mjf981 · 08/03/2025 19:41

Get your iron levels checked. Low levels can definitely cause headaches.

HelterSkelter224 · 08/03/2025 19:50

I would call triage, I had similar (5 day agonising headache at about 18 weeks) and they checked for blood clots etc. just to be sure. If you are at risk of preeclampsia it's best to go in, I was too. My headache was stopping me sleeping which was perpetuating the headache so I got an opioid painkiller which allowed me to have one full night's sleep and it was gone in the morning 🎉

HelterSkelter224 · 08/03/2025 19:52

Should say I called midwives first and they directed me to triage especially with risk of preeclampsia

AnotherVice · 08/03/2025 19:57

Definitely get it checked however could it be caffeine withdrawal if you've cut that down? I had this recently and it took me a while to figure it out. One cup of coffee cured my 5 day headache!

ThedaBara · 08/03/2025 22:49

I'm going to second blood iron levels being off, what with the tiredness as well. Had the same thing post partum, went in for a blood test and it cleared completely within a few days of taking iron. Normal multivitamins don't have enough of it to make a difference

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