Pregnancy is a wonderful time in a women’s life. Knowing and feeling a new life growing within can bring joy and anticipation to the mother. However, pregnancy brings with it a whole set of aches and pains not associated with women who are not pregnant. The good news is that in most cases, migraine headaches seem to be lessened during pregnancy. On the other hand, if this is not your case, there are many things that you can do to help lessen the frequency and severity of migraine headache during pregnancy.
MIGRAINE DIARY
Hormonal changes during pregnancy are the cause of most migraines during this time in life. However, there are other factors that can play a part during pregnancy. Stress, skipped meals, and lack of sleep can all trigger a migraine. During pregnancy, it is important to get the proper nutrition, plenty of sleep, and find ways to deal with the stress that it produces. One way to help is to keep a migraine diary. Use this tool to keep records of what you have eaten in the last 24 hours before the migraine occurs, when the headache occurs, what events that surround the occurrence, the symptoms of the migraine, the duration of the migraine, and other factors that will help identify the triggers for your migraines during pregnancy. Some common triggers for migraine are chocolate, caffeine, foods that contain monosodium glutamate (MSG), nitrates, and aspartame.
PRECLAMPSIA
Sometimes, migraines during pregnancy can be caused by preeclampsia. Your doctor may evaluate you for this condition before making a diagnosis of migraine. Be sure to tell your doctor about any medications and supplements you are taking and whether anyone in your family has migraines.
PREVENTIVE SOLUTIONS YOU CAN DO
The best defensive position you can take against migraine headache is to have a healthy lifestyle and do self-care. Here are some tips to help you guard against migraine during pregnancy:
Avoid your known triggers, as much as you can, during pregnancy
Keep a predictable schedule of meals and snacks
Drink plenty of water
Get plenty of rest
Consider taking a class in biofeedback or relaxation techniques
When pain strikes, use icepacks, massage, and rest in a quiet, darkened room
MIGRAINE MEDICATIONS DURING PREGNANCY
Most medications are off limits during pregnancy because of the potential of birth defects and complications during pregnancy. Most migraine medication is not good for pregnant women. Most of the studies with these drugs have been limited to animals or have not been adequately studied in pregnancy so the effects on the fetus have not been determined. On the other hand, there are a few drugs that have a low risk during pregnancy. Some antidepressants and beta-blockers are relatively safe.
As with anything during pregnancy, always consult your doctors for his professional expertise in this field. Using your headache diary, your doctor can be the best judge of what treatments are good for you and the baby. Keeping up a healthy lifestyle and listening to your doctor’s recommendations will help you prevent and reduce migraines during pregnancy.
Tags: Acupuncture, chiropractic care, Massage Therapy, migraine headaches, Migraine Support Formula, migraine treatment
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