Migraines During Pregnancy

Women have come to expect a number of unpleasant physical and emotional symptoms while being pregnant. However, suffice it to say that, migraine headaches are never truly expected when it comes to pregnancy. If a woman normally experiences migraines when she is not pregnant, she may experience more severe headaches, or find that they lessen in frequency and severity. However, for women who normally do not have migraines, it is common for her to experience her first migraine when she is pregnant. As one might expect, the likely trigger is the woman’s hormones.

What is a Migraine Headache?

Migraines are severe, debilitating headaches that can cause some peoples live to virtually stop once an attack begins. However, there are some basic things that every migraine-sufferer should know that will help them to lessen the amount of triggers that cause their migraines and manage their symptoms once an attack begins.

Are Migraine Headaches Dangerous for Pregnant Women?

The only danger is when your headache may be a sign of something else. You should always call your health care provider when:

• Headache is accompanied by a fever.
• Headache persists for more than a few hours or returns frequently.
• Experiencing blurred vision.

It is always important to let your health care provider know when you are experiencing any headaches and the details about them.

How Can Pregnant Women Treat a Migraine Headache?

Keep a Journal

Hormones are not the only trigger for migraines in pregnant women. Therefore, keeping a journal is a very beneficial step in proper treatment. The headache journal should include when the headache happened, what triggered it, and how long it lasted. If she keeps a log of her headaches, she can learn what triggers them and therefore avoid those things. However, triggers are different for everyone; that is why it is important for her to keep a headache diary. Common triggers may include but are not limited to:

• Stress.
• Chocolate.
• Cheese.
• Coffee.
• Caffeine.
• Skipping Meals.
• Dehydration.
• Weather.
• Hormones.

Self-Care of Migraines

The first line of defense against migraine headaches is a healthy lifestyle and self-care. She should avoid known triggers, such as specific foods, as much as possible. Here are some tips that may help her manage her migraines during pregnancy:

• Keep a predictable schedule of meals and snacks.
• Drink plenty of water.
• Get plenty of rest.
• Biofeedback or other relaxation technique.
• When pain strikes, try some home remedies for relief.

Common Home Remedies for Migraine Headaches

• Apply a cold towel on your head.
• Take a cold shower.
• Take a nap.
• Exercise.
• Biofeedback.
• Relaxation techniques such as prayer or yoga.

Over-the Counter Medications for Migraine Relief

Most health care providers consider acetaminophen to be the pain relief medication of choice during pregnancy but she should always talk with her own personal health care provider before taking any medication. Pregnant women should never take anything with aspirin unless prescribed by a health care provider. She should always consult with your health care provider about the best form of pain relief for her migraines.

Prescription Medications for Migraine Relief

Doctors will generally advise pregnant women to stay off medications unless they are absolutely needed. Together, they will have to weigh the potential effects of a drug on the unborn baby. In some cases, a decision will need to be made based on very little research into a particular drug. Many of the anti-migraine medications to treat or prevent migraine headache and its symptoms should be avoided during pregnancy because they’ve been linked to birth defects. Other medications are associated with pregnancy complications. For instance, some have been associated with bleeding, miscarriage, or intrauterine growth restriction.

Tests for Migraines

Headaches can be caused by a pregnancy complication known as preeclampsia. Therefore, health care providers may evaluate a pregnant patient for that condition before making a diagnosis of migraines. The doctor should always be made aware about all the medications their patient is taking, including over-the-counter products and natural supplements. Also, her doctor should know whether anyone in her family has had migraines. Nevertheless, doctors can commonly diagnose migraine from a headache diary and your medical history. CT scans and other radiology tests to rule out other causes of her headaches aren’t usually advised in pregnancy due to the potential risk to the baby.

Tags: Acetaminophen (a.k.a. Tylenol), migraine pain, migraine relief, Non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID), over the counter medication, treating migraines