headaches??

[SoBlessedMama]

Hi ladies,
I am 20 weeks pregnant today. For the past couple of weeks, I have been getting awful headaches. I know this can be common, and I've talked to my doctor, who said it is most likely due to hormones and can be very normal. Some days are worse than others, but a lot of days, they are bad enough that I end up taking Tylenol. (Which still doesn't really help lol.)

I'm not really worried, because I just had a checkup earlier this week and everything looks great. But is anyone else experiencing this? Has anyone found anything that helps? Basically the only thing that helps is to stretch out with an ice pack on my head. And that is NOT VERY time friendly. : )

I'd love any suggestions!!!

 

[SonAmyMom]

Ah, yes, pregnancy headaches I get them quite often (and have through each of my pregnancies). One thing that can help, at least somewhat, is to make sure to get enough water. My OB suggested aiming for 100 oz a day. That seems like a lot! But I know that when I work on drinking throughout the day and get 2-3 quarts in, I have fewer/less severe headaches. I have a bottle that holds roughly 32 oz and I just keep it with me and refill it through the day.

When I do get a bad headache, I generally have to rely on tylenol, too. It takes a good 45 minutes to be effective (boo). If I drink a can of coke with it, it also seems to help (caffeine in moderation is okay when pregnant). I have to lie down with ice too. But it seems to be more effective to put it on my neck, as that is where the headaches originate. I set it on my pillow then lie on my back (with a pillow under one hip) with my neck/head on the cold.

Sorry I don't have any better suggestions, just wanted to let you know that you're not alone.

 

[SoBlessedMama]

Thank you for your reply. : )
I am actually drinking a ton of water already (120-150 ounces a day.) You may be on to something with the Coke--I may try to down one with the Tylenol and see if that gives it a boost. Thank you! : )

 

[vickyandchick]

Yes, I've had awful migraines since the beginning but they seem to have finally tapered off.
Paracetamol, some ice cold coke and an ice pack or bag of peas on my head used to help. If it still didn't go then I would try and sleep it off however some were so bloody persistent
I agree with pp, plenty of water and food helps too

 

[SoBlessedMama]

Thank you : ) I haven't had much of an appetite. That probably contributes to it, because overall I definitely haven't been eating enough. But actually, that seems to have gotten a little better today. Hopefully the headaches will taper off soon for all of us!!

 

[AMB1216]

UGH I've had pregnancy headaches for the past few weeks. I actually have one right now. I haven't spoken to my OB about it yet but I will with my next visit, My first guess is Hormones and I know that in the little booklet I got from my first OB visit it says to call if I have severe persisting headaches but I really don't want to get up there and have them dismiss me like they did with my gallbladder. Plus they aren't constant really, they come and go every so often. But they are annoying D:

 

[SoBlessedMama]

Yes they are!!! : ( Hope you feel better soon, too!

 

[Gray001]

I've had them the last couple of weeks! Yuk they are horrible! The only thing I find that helps me is a lot of water and lying in a dark Room with my eyes shut. Hope they pass for you soon.

 

[Gray001]

I've had them the last couple of weeks! Yuk they are horrible! The only thing I find that helps me is a lot of water and lying in a dark Room with my eyes shut. Hope they pass for you soon.

 

[SoBlessedMama]

Thanks for the reply!! Hope they pass soon for all of us!

 

[shx]

I have been suffering alot with this also to the point where it makes me sick! Iv tried drinking tons of water and taking paracetamol bit the only thing that seems to make me feel any better is drinking something fizzy full of sugar.

 

[SoBlessedMama]

I hate that you all feel so bad, but I'm also thankful to know its not just me!!!! I tried the coke trick this morning, and it did seem to help. : )

 

[AMB1216]

Yeah if your used to caffeine, you can't really cut it out completely. Then you get like a withdrawal effect, Luckily I didn't drink a ton of soda to begin with and cut back once we started TTC. I still give in and have a soda every once in a while. Its such a good break from water xD

 

[SoBlessedMama]

I rarely drank sodas even before, so maybe that is why they seem to help with the headache now--because I'm NOT used to caffeine. : )

 

[K123]

I definitely agree with the caffeinated drink recommendation. I suffer a lot from headaches/migraines and attended a combined neurology/obstetrics clinic with 2 consultants during my first pregnancy and they recommended a can of coke and a bar of chocolate as the first line of attack against headaches in pregnancy. Haven't seen them yet this pregnancy but am guessing their advice will be the same.

 

[SoBlessedMama]

Thank you! The coke definitely helped today...and I will take any excuse to eat chocolate!!

 

[trumpetbeth]

This was such a great post for me to read!! I have been having headaches for 2 weeks! I have tried drinking a coke, but I think I will try the ice pack on the back of my neck. I thought maybe I was just have stress headaches because I am a teacher. I was thinking now it would be better since school is over... No luck yet..

 

[SoBlessedMama]

This was such a great post for me to read!! I have been having headaches for 2 weeks! I have tried drinking a coke, but I think I will try the ice pack on the back of my neck. I thought maybe I was just have stress headaches because I am a teacher. I was thinking now it would be better since school is over... No luck yet..

Right with you, girl! I'm a teacher, and our last day was Thursday. I had thought the same thing--and then I had one of my worst headaches this morning before church. Ice pack and a Dr pepper did the trick!