Migraine Treatment During Pregnancy

Migraine headaches are a pain enough for any individual who is unlucky enough to experience them. But when migraine headaches occur in a woman who is pregnant it can be overwhelming if the symptoms and migraine episodes aren’t treated properly. While there is no specific danger for women who are pregnant and experience migraine headaches it is important that a few tests and a complete checkup be completed if the migraine is a first occurrence for the pregnant woman, this should be done only to rule out any other conditions that could be of concern. By a common rule a pregnant woman should contact their physician immediately if:

• A headache is accompanied by fever
• A headache persists for more than a few hours, or if it returns frequently
• A headache occurs with blurred vision

However, once other conditions have been ruled out then it’s time to find the best course of migraine treatment that will bring relief from the symptoms of migraine pain, even if pregnant.

Migraines & Pregnancy

The good news about women who normally experience migraines is that typically they decrease in severity during pregnancy. In fact some research shows that nearly 80 percent of women had improved migraine symptoms during both pregnancy and breastfeeding. The reason this occurrence takes place in most women is because of the stabilization of the estrogen levels within the body that occurs during pregnancy. However, with any rule there are always exceptions and for those women who do experience worsening migraine symptoms during pregnancy, migraine treatment must become a number one priority. While some women do experience less migraine symptoms because of the leveling of certain hormones, it is believed that the women who experience more migraine symptoms could be more at risk for certain conditions such as hypertension, preeclampsia, and other vascular disorders. It is important for prescreening for these conditions to take place and to watch for symptoms of these conditions as well. But when it comes down to the “normal” (if you can call any occurrence of a migraine normal that is) migraine pain that occurs during pregnancy there are ways that are both safe and effective at migraine treatment.

How to Treat Them

The bad news about migraine treatment during pregnancy is that the use of the commonly used prescription medications is suggested to be avoided during pregnancy because of the risk of complications. The good news is that there are other migraine treatment options available that are safe and effective at providing migraine relief.

• Acupuncture while considered an alternative migraine treatment can be beneficial at providing migraine relief for pregnant women. This ancient form of Chinese medicine can help to provide migraine treatment as long as it is performed by a highly trained individual who is used to dealing with pregnant women and knows how to avoid the certain pressure points that may induce labor.
• Massage when performed by a prenatal massage therapist who is trained and specializes in treating pregnant women can be an excellent form of aiding in migraine treatment. Massage can help to relax the muscles around the neck, head, shoulders, and back to release tension that leads to some migraine headaches.
• Meditation and yoga can be beneficial in providing migraine treatment while pregnant. Often time’s migraine headaches are brought about during pregnancy because of either stress or even high blood pressure. Mediation and relaxation techniques can help to alleviate stress and thus reduce the number of migraine occurrences during pregnancy.
• Over the Counter Medicine it is widely accepted that the pain relief of choice during pregnancy is the use of acetaminophen. While this OTC medication is not normally suggested for migraine relief, it can help to take the edge off of a migraine headache when combined with some of the other techniques for migraine treatment. Of course it is always recommended to check with a physician before any medications is taken during pregnancy, even over the counter medicine.
• At Home Remedies are important for the pregnant woman who experiences migraines. The first line of defense in migraine treatment during pregnancy is to properly manage stress and blood pressure. Rest and relaxation should become high priorities whenever possible. If a migraine occurrence should take place, remedies for migraine treatment other medications can be used by (1) using a cold towel on the forehead, (2) taking a cold shower, (3) reducing the amount of light and/or sound exposure, and (4) resting in a cold, dark, and quiet room.

Prevention

The prevention techniques for migraine treatment during pregnancy are very similar to prevention of any migraine. It is important to know the warning signs and triggers that commonly occur before a migraine so that it can be cut off before a full blown attack takes place. Some of the triggers that should be avoided whenever possible include stress, chocolate, coffee, cheese, certain food preservatives, and of course hormonal changes.

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