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Pregnancy

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

Original poster

Awful headaches- Any advice?

27 replies

betsyboo · 08/01/2009 10:01

I'm 14 weeks pregnant and been having really intense headaches, worse than I've ever had before. It is worse when I stand up quickly or go up the stairs, my head pounds, I can feel it pulsing and it has made me sick a couple of times.

I know I should see a doc, have an app. but it's not until Monday, have also left messages for the midwife but as yet no reply.

Paracetamol is not touching the pain at all. Just wondered if anyone has any advice? Is it anything to be worried about? Should I make a more urgent appointment?

OP posts:
Notreallycutoutforthis · 08/01/2009 10:03

I'd say urgent appointment. Not in slightest bit medical professional myself, but if it comes on standing or going upstairs it might be blood pressure-related?

Hope you get this sorted. Does soaking in a bath, or putting a heatpad on your neck help at all?

LoveActually · 08/01/2009 10:05

I'm not an expert (am 39 weeks) but I did get a lot of headaches early on, and am not a headachey person. They stopped after 24 weeks. My sister got loads of headaches with both her DDs and she had high blood pressure. You are best to get it checked out tho. Sure other mumsnetters will know more than me

Original poster
betsyboo · 08/01/2009 10:09

Have tried baths, not made any difference really. I wondered about blood pressure. This is my 3rd and not had it before. Hoping the midwife will phone soon, if not will ring the docs again.

OP posts:
Notreallycutoutforthis · 08/01/2009 10:20

Good with it - let us know how you get on?

Notreallycutoutforthis · 08/01/2009 10:20

That's 'good luck'

wilbur · 08/01/2009 10:23

You should certainly get it checked out, just in case it is BP, but I also got terrible pregnancy headaches when I am not normally a headache person. I just took paracetomol and lay down a lot. Also, drink loads of water, you may be dehydrated, esp if you have the heating on high in this cold weather.

countrylover · 08/01/2009 14:04

I got headaches from week 12 until around week 20 in my first pregnancy. The type you describe of pounding and throbbing.

Paracetamol didn't used to touch the sides and I'll be honest not much helped. I went for weekly shoulder and neck massages and I wouldn't have a headache for around a day but then it would come back again. A bit of an expensive way of dealing with it though! (even if it did give me a days relief)

This time round I had about two weeks of headaches on and off around 16 weeks but that's it.

First pregnancy I was really stressed at work so I don't know if this played a part? Also this time round I have kept my fluid intake up at all times.

Sorry not really much help...

Flightattendant7 · 08/01/2009 14:11

I had a few very brief headaches when pg, with things flashing in front of my eyes.

my bp is always really low and still was.

They said you can often get migraines in pg even if you haven't had them before.

Iklboo · 08/01/2009 14:13

Do you have a walk in clinic near you? Or o supermarket doctor? Even a pharmacist may be able to advise.
I had some lavender gel I used to rub on my temples that helped a bit when I had headaches

Sunshinesmith · 08/01/2009 15:39

Yeah, they are pretty common. I had horrid ones in my second pregancy. I have never taken so much paracetamol in my life!

I woudl need to lock myself in my bedroom with all the blinds down and close my eyes and hope for the best!

As some other posts say- if they are very persistant contact your midwife.

I agree with everyone that by 20 weeks they were over!

Original poster
betsyboo · 08/01/2009 16:37

Thankyou for all the replies. I have spoken to the midwife who reckons it's just hormonal. I have been told to take Ibuprofen and paracetamol, plenty of fluids and rest for 3 days. Have docs appt Mon so can get stronger painkillers then if it hasn't eased.

OP posts:
georgimama · 08/01/2009 16:40

Are you thirsty? I often get headaches and then remember I haven't drunk a glass of water for about three hours.

Jackaroo · 09/01/2009 09:15

Hope you still see this - were you really told to take Ibuprofen??????????????????

fgpl · 09/01/2009 09:27

Who told you to take ibuprofen? Not advisable in pregnancy.
I had headaches in first pregnancy from 14 weeks and went about 20 weeks.
This time I have had headaches again from 14 weeks but this time they are still pretty bad and even wake me up in the night.I'm 35 weeks now. I wouldn't say they are migranes but really tiring though. They get worse when I stand up. I have been at the doctor almost weekly for ages as they have been quite worried about them but I really feel they are hormonal.
Have had eyes checked, not dehydrated, not bp etc
Hopefully yours will go around 20 weeks like most people.
I was given co codamol on repeat prescription which is fine in pregnancy. I prefer to havve the weaker ones 8/500 not 30/500 ( may cause dizziness)
The co codamol are effective most of the time but have to be careful not to take too regularly as that in itself can cause headaches.
I hope you start to feel better soon but do persevere at the docs just to rule out any other causes. good luck

Original poster
betsyboo · 10/01/2009 17:37

Yes, midwife said to take Ibuprofen, said that although not licensed for use in pregnancy it is quite safe after the first trimester, I did question it as thought it wasn't allowed but she assured me it was ok.
I am alternating it with paracetamol at the moment and it's working well.
Could it be that she is wrong?
I daren't google about it now I've taken some.

OP posts:
Original poster
betsyboo · 10/01/2009 17:49

I also have some 30/500 co-codamol here for my sciatica (sorry can't spell!) maybe I will stick to them for now, I will check the Ibuprofen thing with GP on Monday, am a bit concerned now

OP posts:
Tummum · 10/01/2009 18:37

I had nasty headaches and was told the very latest advice is Ibuprofen up to 28 weeks. After that some risk of early labour I think.

HTH

MarxAndSparks · 10/01/2009 19:48

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

alison6692 · 19/06/2009 06:43

Hiya x

Just wondering - did you headaches get better? I am 15 weeks with pounding headaches / high BP and trace of protein in my urine.
Saw consultant yesterday and plan is urgent MRI and neuro consult ( due to my history of other problems) but can't help feeling this is early onset of pre-eclampsia.

Alison x

PS - Yep you can Ibuprofen in 1st and 2nd trimester if okay with your MW or GP.

Original poster
betsyboo · 21/06/2009 20:47

Hi Alison,
Yes my headaches did get better after a week or two.(I'm now 38 weeks) The Ibuprofen really helped. Not really sure what the cause was as had no other symptoms so presume it was a hormonal thing.

I really hope things go ok with you and it settles down.

Good luck with the consultant x

OP posts:
Folkestone · 22/06/2009 17:01

Hi,

I am 19 weeks now and last week was a killer, everytime I stood up the pain was awful. My only advice is the same as georgimama, drink plenty of water. I would often realise it had been a couple of hours since I last had some.

Try and drink at least a glass an hour, it means you will be going to the loo a lot more but anything is better than those headaches.

Hope it went well at the docs.

woowoo25 · 03/08/2015 17:28

I'm in week 14 and been suffering with badheadaches with sickness. it's my second pregnancy my first was brill no headaches. It's been on and off for about aweek now.

Cornettoninja · 03/08/2015 17:40

I had headaches around the same point, my midwife wasn't concerned.

I know it's a no-no, but caffeine really helped. I've drastically reduced my coffee intake but would allow myself an extra if nothing else helped.

Nousername2015 · 03/08/2015 21:35

I've been struggling with headaches since about week 10. Couldn't shift one for 3 days last week and tried taking some paracetamol with some coca cola. I think the caffeine speeds up the paracetamol so it is more likely to work. It worked a treat for me, will try that trick again in the future.

eurochick · 03/08/2015 21:38

Definitely worth getting it checked out as they are so severe, but headaches in pregnancy are fairly common. I tried acupuncture for mine. It worked well for about a fortnight. I was thinking of repeating it but then they wore off. I'm not a woo person but it was surprisingly effective.