Headaches in Pregnancy-normal?

I had horrible headaches when I was prego, never had them till I got prego! I still have them three years after giving birth.

I had the same problem. I had headaches so bad that I could only lie on the couch and sleep. They finally went away. I took a look at the changes that I was making and saw that I was not having any caffine! My doctor told me the same thing. I was prone ot headaches before but they seemed to be worse now. Hope this helps! W.

M., I had terrible migranes until my first pregnancy, my second was great as well, then came my third and my migranes came back. My first 2 were boys and the third a girl. I don't know if it's a sign. (smile)
Let your ob know. I also began to show signs of preclampsia, and did end up with it around 34 weeks. After bedrest till 37 weeks, I was induced early.
I was told if your headache goes away with tylenol no worries! If it doesn't then there could be an issue.
I know you don't want to take anything, but a misrable mom means unhappy baby even in utero!
Good Luck and Congrats!

Hi M.,
Very common to get headaches during pregnancy, especially towards the later months. I got them and also did not want to take any meds. Just get a cold cloth, find a couch and lay down for a bit. Be sure you are eating well and lots of water. Hang in there.

Yes, I had headaches during pregnancy. The best thing that worked for me was to take tylenol (yippee) and lay in a dark, quiet, cool room with an icepack on my head. This may not work for you but it is worth a try. I know there is all kinds of medication that is deemed safe during pregnancy now. If this does not work you should ask your ob because the longer you let the headache go, the worse it gets. Good luck.
D.
Oh, and headaches are completely normal because of the hormones that are taking over your body!

yes, I had awful headaches during my pregnancies. ugh.

i normally have bad headaches, but they were much more frequent during both of my pregnancies, especially in the first trimester, tylenol is safe for her to take, i took it all the time. didnt always help, but no one wants to have a headache all day...

Yep. Its all the extra hormones. I used to get eye migraines all throughout my pregnancy. As long as the docs not worried, I wouldn't be. I was also with you and did not take any meds. They usually lasted about one hour and then I would be fine. Good luck.

I had terrible headaches early on in my second pregnancy. I kept up with fluids and tried to make sure I had enough sleep (although this was tough with an already 1 year old!) They did get bad enough that I was written a prescription by my doctor. They said it was safe. I preferred to take the med than be in such pain I couldn't eat, sleep, bend over, etc. And my daughter was born completely healthy! Good luck!

Yes, very common problem. For me, small amount of caffiene (coffee, tea) and either Ibuprofen or Tylenol. Dr. recommended but I can't remember now if it was Tylenol or ibuprofen. Check on that first! But the combination worked for me.

Hi M.,

Go to see a chiropractor... your headaches will go away and you won't need any medication. You will also feel alot better over all.

Good Luck,
Allie

M., I had horrible headachs with my 1st pregnancy!! I was prescribed furecet (?sp). It was amazing!!!! Worked like a CHARM!!! I could take it in my pregnancy but not after because I was nursing and it would come through the breast milk. So ask you OB, good luck!!! L. C.

So normal!!!!but if you start to get migranes let your ob know!!Congrats!!

I had them. My doctor suggested tylenol which helped some. Then one day I had a half cup of caffienated tea with my tylenol and the headache was gone almost instantly. It was so fast. Then I tried the half cup of tea WITHOUT the tylenol. The tea was as effective as the tea with tylenol. I figured a half cup of tea with caffiene just when I felt a headache coming on wasn't enough to hurt my baby. The doctor agreed.

M.

Since the same recommendations I would have made have already been made... I just wanted to confirm that yes, it's very normal... My head has never hurt as bad as it did when I was prengnant.

Good luck!
-C.

Hi M.,

Yes! Headaches in pregnancy are quite normal. Your hormones are all over the place, it only stands to reason that they would be affecting your head as well. I, too, did not like nor want to take meds during my pregnancy. However, my dr did say that taking a couple of Tylenol wouldn't hurt the baby--at those times when I just couldn't stand the pain anymore. You certainly don't want to be miserable with pain that you really don't have to have--you want to be able to enjoy your pregnancy. Just make sure that you follow the directions to a "T." I believe Tylenol is 2 every 4 hours; just don't exceed that dosage. If I remember correctly, you do not want to take any type of ibuprofen--definitely no aspirin.

Non-Medicine (I researched these from 2 books--"What to Expect When You're Expecting" and "The Doctor's Book of Home Remedies"--and yes, I did make sure to check for inconsistencies):
If you are able to, you can try sitting quietly in a darkened room with your eyes closed. Or try a warm compress on your forehead--or maybe a cold one would work better (it's different for different people.) Massage your temples. Sip a hot cup of herbal tea. If the headache isn't unbearable, try exercising. Try to sleep, but don't oversleep (is that possible when pregnant???) Try to stand as straight as possible. Breathe slowly and deeply. Check yourself out head to toe to determine if you are tensing any muscle groups that may be causing a tension headache. Don't wear anything scented--it can be sending your hypersensitive nose haywire. Check your salt intake. Eat on a schedule.

Hope that some of this helps. Oh, and by the way, congrats on your pregnancy!

I almost never, ever get headaches, but I also did for the first few months of pregnancy. I was worried! Your body is adjusting to changes due to hormone fluctuations and an increasing volume of blood. I found it worse sometimes when I would change position too quickly- such as standing up too fast or bending down to get something. Be careful about hunching over while sitting, or sitting in one position too long. Remember to drink plenty of fluid and practice some deep belly breathing each day- will help to relax you and get more oxygen to your brain.