Headaches

I'm 16wks and getting a lot of headaches. Before I was pregnant, I'd happily take paracetamol but I'm too scared to take anything and find I'm having to sleep off these headaches. I feel I've had a lot more since becoming pregnant which is frustrating as I have loads to do. I understand a lot of it is to do with crazy hormones that are having to do extra stuff. Has anyone had anything similar and how did you cope?

[emmab178]

Any chance you are dehydrated? Could be worth upping your liquid intake to see if the headaches are due to that

[Hidden in reply to emmab178]

It could well be as I have always been bad at drinking enough but thought I was doing ok whilst pregnant. Will give it a try, thanks emmab178.

[emmab178 in reply to Hidden]

Me too. I'm awful at having enough. I've found that in the second and third trimesters I'm really thirsty.

Dehydration can cause alot of symptoms. I had back pain and turned out drinking more helped alot.

[Hidden in reply to emmab178]

Yes, I'm constantly thirsty too. I have been since the beginning. I will just have to have a bottle of water with me at all times. The only downside is having to go to the loo more especially when out and about which is a tad annoying. At least I know know where all the public loos are!

The back pain may actually be your kidneys as I'm sure that is where they are located.

I hope everything goes well for you. Take care and drink lots!

[mleonw]

It is best to get your headaches checked out by a GP. It may be normal or as the others said could be a sign of dehydration. However my daughter was the same she was complaining of headaches so I advised her to go to her GP. After some tests were performed she was informed that she had preeclampsia which can be a serious complication in pregnancy. The symptoms are usually associated with headaches, high blood pressure (hypertension ) swelling in the body-face, arms, legs, increased protein in urine. You can have 1 or more of these symptoms, my daughter had 3 symptoms- swelling, protein in the urine and the headaches. For your own peace of mind I would recommend that you see your GP and ask for a blood pressure check and urinalysis test. Good Luck with it all.

[KellyTrip]

Agree with speaking to your GP. Have you recently seen your midwife for a bp test? Also, have you had an eye test? My vision changed during my first pregnancy and I needed to change my prescription as I had headaches. This time it hasn't changed at all! Do speak to your midwife just in case.

[Hidden]

I don't have any other symptoms, just the headaches so I'm not too worried. I am seeing the midwife regularly and nothing else untoward has shown up. Even though I'm definitely drinking more than normal, I probably just need to drink more. I will have to carry a bottle of water with me everywhere I go.

Thanks ladies!

[Ranju91 in reply to Hidden]

Hi,

Its good have it checked as headaches can be the symptom of preclamsia. One of my friends used to complain about headache and later was found to have preclamsia. Do take care.

Wish you all a healthy and happy pregnanacy...

[sarah111111]

I did get a lot of headaches in the second trimester but blood pressure was always normal or even on the low side so that wasn't the reason for the headaches I guess - but it usually seemed to resolve if I had extra water or juice and sometimes it seemed to relate to being hungry or tired as well - I found I needed an extra hour of sleep every night to feel okay and it can be difficult as I was that thirsty that I would get up twice in the night to go to the loo after drinking so much water

[Hidden in reply to sarah111111]

Thanks. It definitely sounds like what I'm experiencing. Trying to pace myself as I keep having to go to the loo every half hour and like you having to get up through the night once or twice too. Tiredness affects me too. It's difficult getting the right balance but sleep and drinking more clears it up. Appreciate your experience!

[roxannacar]

Hormones can def. cause headaches as can not drinking enough. Pre eclampsia doesn't happen so early on in pregnancy, normally happens in the third trimester. drinking more is a good idea. You can use paracetamol during any trimester of pregnancy and it's very safe. Wouldn't use ibuprofen though as contraindicated in the 1st and 3rd trimesters

[Hidden in reply to roxannacar]

Initially I did put the headaches down to my hormones going mental and just lived with them and therefore haven't taken anything for them. I was told aspirin would be ok to take but the problem is I'm coeliac and unable to take aspirin.

Taking onboard more fluid and having a nap has cleared away the headaches. I've been drinking loads today and I have been great. Should I get any further headaches, I will definitely see my gp.

Thanks for your advice - Much appreciated!