I've never been prone to headaches pre-pregnancy, but as I finished my first trimester and started the second, I have been getting rotten tension headaches. Tylenol isn't helping at all. I tried a heating pad on my neck and shoulders, but that didn't do anything either. I finally ended up falling asleep with a cold pack on my forehead.
The first headache lasted 2 days. Now I went to sleep with one last night, it seemed gone when I woke up, but it's back.
What have you done that's helped?
You might also enjoy...
-
I had a few headaches .. I just try to relax and drink lots of fluids. Eating seems to help too!
-
@chopsuey119: I already eat every 2 1/2 - 3 hours since I am diabetic and monitor my blood sugar, so I can't change that. But, I'll see if perhaps fluids help. Thanks!
-
UGH i feel your pain! i'm still going through weekly headaches/migraines (had them previously pre-pregnancy as well).
heard from DH's masseuse that sleeping with your upper body elevated up and ice packs on your head are key!
i've been doing that + tylenoling it up and can usually get through the day.
-
@MaisyMay: I know caffeine is a no-no in large quantities, but maybe a little bit would help? I'm not preg but I know caffeine can help with headaches sometimes.
-
An ice pack on the back of my neck/base of my head really helps me, much more than on my forehead (though that feels good too). Lots of neck stretching-- touch your chin to your chest, ears to shoulders, etc. And the best is if you can get someone to do a 'sub-occipital release'-- my sister who is an OT sometimes does it for me and it's the best for tension headaches. I haven't tried this self version, but I just googled and saw this, may be worth a shot: http://completetherapeutics.co.uk/html/occipital_release.html
I get headaches a lot so I try anything. -
@Rachel: I can't stand coffee (even pre-pregnant) and most of the tea that I like is decaf. Maybe I'll try switching to black tea or something like that. Thanks.
-
@Foodnerd81: hmmm....the tension is definitely coming from my neck/shoulder muscles, so I will try that.
-
@MaisyMay: Maybe you can even get a 15 or 30 minute neck massage.
Also since you say you don't like coffee, sometimes I think just half a can of coke helps.
-
I used to get them when working at a higher stress job- the second I left work and got in my car they went away.
One thing that helped me was to do a neck roll, roll your head in each direction in a circle slowly, tuck your chin to your chest and continue around your neck. Also a heated bag of rice on the back of my neck. And last if all else failed, a very hot shower, running the water down my head. Of course you have to be cautious with hot water and your baby, but I didn't do it for very long when pregnant.
-
I was going to suggest caffeine, too. And when I was having daily migraines pre-pregnancy, my neurologist prescribed magnesium supplements (apparently people with chronic migraines have low mag levels). I take 1000mg a day, and it helped tremendously. Since I got pregnant, I've noticed an uptick in headaches again, but they are NOT migraines and I can usually at least take the edge off with tylenol. My OB says the mag is ok to keep taking, but check with yours.
-
Thanks all. I have my regular doc appt tomorrow so I'm going to talk to the doc about headaches/migraines, allergic reactions, things like that. Hopefully this will help.
-
It sounds silly, but a little exercise, especially outdoors, usually helps ease my tension headaches.
Reply
Subscribe to our newsletter
- Google Plus
- Stumbleupon
- Twitter
- Facebook
- Pinterest
- Favorite0
12 comments