Headache/caffeine

nmatheny14

I have had a constant headache since around week 10. An OB nurse suggested trying a little bit of caffeine to relieve it. I never drank caffeine before I got pregnant but would take excedrin for a headache, which contained caffeine. This week I started drinking a Coke around lunch time, which is when the headache seems to get worse. And, to my surprise, it has helped! The headache disappears fairly quickly. I feel a little guilty drinking the caffeine and sugar every day. Is anyone else drinking caffiene?

lanaloulittle

I drink at least a can of coke a day as long as you stay under 200mg, you should be fine. Caffeine is a great headache reliever.

mkross123

I have a large iced tea (100 mg) every week day morning. It is super refreshing and is enough caffeine to jumpstart me for at least the first part of the day (then it's the slow decline into complete lazy exhaustion :-) )

nsaid4u

I do find caffeine helps but I would pick something more natural like chocolate or coffee beans. Coke is so bad for you. The list goes on and on about the harm coke does to all parts of your body, please dont drink it while pregnant. There are lots of healthy natural forms of ways to consume caffeine. Atleast go online and read up on coke, you may be surprised.

rue:D

I still drink a coke most days, although a lot less than I used to - mostly because I've been too nauseous to stomach it.

jenn2132

I have a coke a day but I've tried to trade off the caffeinated kind and the non-caffeinated. I can tell when I haven't had caffeine I start getting headaches bad. It's my one vice and I know it's not healthy but I'm trying to monitor my intake so I don't overdo it

nmatheny14

Thanks for the unsolicited advice. If the worst thing I do while pregnant is have a Coke every now and then, I think my babies will be just fine. I can't imagine the lecture I would have gotten if I posted what I ate for lunch today! :-? Yowza. And thanks to those who opened that caffeine helps them, too. Glad to have finally found something that helps and hopefully isn't a fluke! Happy headache-free pregnancy to you all

nsaid4u

it wasn't meant to be an offensive comment, just informative for those who didn't know..some people don't realize how harmful certain things that they're putting in their bodies.I was just stating my thoughts on caffeine while pregnant, I thought thats why you made the post. I'm not sure why people keep putting post on here if they're going to get so offended by people putting their personal opinions and comments.

BooBerry137

If you want to avoid the sugar and yucky stuff in soda, just have plain black iced tea.  

JustHyr

I totally stopped all caffeine when I was pregnant with my daughter until the 2nd trimester.  This time around I've been having horrible daily headaches from about 7 weeks onward.  Around 9 weeks my husband suggested trying caffeine.  Prior to pregnancy I was a big coffee drinker but coffee sounds disgusting to me.  I've been drinking a daily Dr. Pepper since 9 weeks and the change is amazing.  Headaches are gone or greatly reduced and I had some energy back.  The ice cold fizziness really helps.  

nmatheny14

Yeah I'll probably switch to tea as long as it helps. I had gotten off caffeine years ago and all I drink now is water, usually La Croix because I love the fizz. I don't think any caffeine is good for you and think that soda is about the worst kind to have. But as a migraine sufferer who can no longer take Imitrex, I'm willing to give anything a shot that won't hurt my babies. Definitely not going to judge other moms or tell them not to consume something that provides relief (and is likely NOT harmful to their baby, plus I don't have the medical background to say one way or another). You do what you need to do to get through the day. I don't have a job that allows me to slack in the afternoon just because I have a headache. What's been accessible this week has been Coke (and other caffeinated sodas) so I'll take what I can get for now and grab some tea bags next time I make it to the grocery store.

lanaloulittle

Coke actually helps my nausea as well. So it's a win win for me. No headaches and no nausea. Black tea is a good alternative to not having the sugar added, but a lot of people don't like plain and bitter black tea so they end up adding sugar to it anyways. I however love plain black tea as well as my sugary, "horrible" for you coke so drink away, just stay under 200mg which I think is more important than what kind of caffeine it is.

helene667

Before I fell pregnant I religiously drank 1 coffee when I got up before work, and had about 3 cups of black tea throughout the day. I decided that I wasn't going to give up my caffeine when I fell pregnant, but I would have it in moderation. Baby had other ideas however. Since week 6 I haven't been able to stomach it, and I'm not at week 10. I do have a cup of tea about twice a day though, so that helps me stay awake and keep the caffeine headaches at bay! My midwife said that 1 or 2 cups of coffee/tea a day is fine. As long as they're not quadrupole strength or anything lol!!
Be awake though with coke that the recommended daily disruption of sugar has been decreased to 6 teaspoons (I think), which is less than a can of coke. So if you're at risk of gestational diabetes you may want to cut back on sugar in other places. Otherwise keep on rocking it mamas. We do what we gotta do and everyone is different

sweet+cheeks

For a non-food based alternative, they make Tylenol with added caffiene for tension headaches which are very common during pregnancy.

nmatheny14

Thanks! I didn't realize there was a Tylenol with caffeine. I intentionally never take Tylenol because I say that a Sweetart would probably do more good for my headache, but if it had caffeine it might actually work!

KyrBo1986

I'm not entirely sure telling you to try caffeine was a very good idea if you didn't drink it before as it is HIGHLY addictive. I now find if I don't have caffeine for a day, just twenty four hours, I have a terrible headache and I know it's linked to the caffeine! Try and stick to as little as possible!

AshleyEH1

Coke is a magical elixir!

leah665

I still have a cup of coffee in the morning. As long as you also drink plenty of water one coke isn't going to hurt. Drink away! And I hope you start feeling better soon!

hdnetmro

Pop esp. Colas are terrible for you pregnant or not. That being said I never drank pop before I was pregnant but it was one of the only things that helped with the nausea so I went with it mostly 7up/sprite but even a Pepsi or two. If it's what gets you through and is in moderation then that's just how it is .Its all about finding what's best for you and baby and what is actually going to work. If I was drinking specifically to get caffeine, yes I would drink coffee or tea something without all the added junk but again if it doesn't work for you then even the healthiest alternative isn't a good one and this is coming from a nutrition freak lol at least that's what my friends (and husband) say

rylee murray

I have had horrible headaches too. Between that and being a SAHM of a 2 year old, caffeine is necessary. I'm just trying to stay careful and look up the caffeine mg for everything. My dr actually told me I could take Tylenol in the recommended doses on the bottle. I have done that a few times when it was really bad, but I try not to.

crewchick27

I get migraines all the time. The only thing that helped me (before I was pregnant) was a venti latte with extra espress and 800mg of Motrin. The first migraine I got after we found out put me in the hospital. My OB and neurologist told me it's ok to have a small latte or coffee every day and gave me 2 perscriptions (not to be taken together, one is for mild migraines and the other is for bad ones). If your headaches get really bad or become more frequent ask your OB for recommendations. I have found that there are a lot of medications that are actually safe if taken in certain doses, you just have to ask.
Oh, and Coke is the magic elixir! Never really drank it before I got pregnant but now it helps wake me up, keep my nausea at bay and gives me some caffeine for when I don't have coffee in the morning.

nmatheny14

I've only had about 5 Cokes so far in my pregnancy (and I'm 14 weeks, so not bad) and only drink one after a headache has started which appears to be heading in a migraine direction. I also EASILY drink 80 ounces of water per day. I remember when my mom had kidney stones her doctor told her the occasional soda wouldn't hurt her kidneys as long as she followed it up with plenty of water. Since caffeine is the only headache remedy advice I've gotten that actually works, I'm thankful someone finally mentioned it! Thanks for all the other suggestions!

moonseeds92

I don't drink energy drinks, but I do have as much caffeine as I want! Usually 2 cups of coffee in the morning, then water and iced green tea throughout the day. On occasion I'll have an iced coffee in the afternoon. The Dr recommendation to limit caffeine intake is very outdated and the results of the study are flawed.

Just make sure you're drinking water to avoid dehydration.