HeadachesHeadaches can be common in early pregnancy. They usually improve as your pregnancy goes on. They do not harm your baby, but they can be uncomfortable for you. A headache can sometimes be a symptom of pre-eclampsia, which can lead to serious complications if it's not monitored and treated. Pre-eclampsia usually starts after 20 weeks of pregnancy. Call your maternity unit, GP or NHS 111 if you have:
Any of these could be signs of pre-eclampsia and need to be checked immediately. Coping with headaches in pregnancyParacetamol is the first choice of painkiller if you're pregnant. However, for safety, if you take paracetamol in pregnancy, take it for the shortest possible time. You can get advice from your pharmacist, midwife or GP about how much paracetamol you can take and for how long. There are some painkillers you should avoid in pregnancy - such as those containing codeine, and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen - unless prescribed by your doctor. You can also make changes to your lifestyle to try and help prevent and treat headaches. Try to:
Is paracetamol linked to autism?The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Authority (MHRA) has confirmed taking paracetamol during pregnancy remains safe and there is no evidence it causes autism in children. See the MHRA statement on taking paracetamol during pregnancy on GOV.UK Sexual Health AdviceThroughout this series we have help and advice on staying healthy, dealing with Sexually Transmitted Infections, the risks of each type of the most popular gay sex and what to do if the sex you have is not consentual. The topics covered in this series include:
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