Relationship Between Migraines and Pregnancy

Migraines and pregnancy go hand in hand for some women.  Unlike ordinary headaches, migraines are more severe.  It’s a throbbing pain which affects both sides of your head and lasts for several hours or up to a few days.  Women who have a history of migraines usually experience more attacks during pregnancy; though some are lucky enough to get fewer attacks or none at all. Women without a history of migraines may experience migraines for the first time during pregnancy.

As with other pregnancy symptoms, the raging pregnancy hormones are to be mainly blamed for migraines in pregnancy. But researchers also speculate that changes in brain chemistry, pain regulation, and blood distribution to the brain that happens during pregnancy may also have something to do with the development of migraines in pregnancy.

Pregnant women can suffer from different types of migraines but they mainly suffer from migraines with auras.  An aura is a visual symptom that allows migraine sufferers to sense when a migraine is coming.  In addition to headaches, pregnant women can also suffer from these symptoms in relation to their migraine:

  • Blurry vision
  • Flashes of light
  • Numbness or tingling in limbs
  • Nausea
  • Fatigue
  • Dizziness
  • Sensitivity to light and sound

Triggers of Migraines in Pregnancy

The rapid changes in hormone levels can make pregnant women more sensitive to migraine triggers.  The most common migraine triggers for pregnant women include:

  • Stress,
  • Anxiety
  • Fatigue
  • Glaring lights
  • Loud noises
  • Extreme heat or cold
  • Sudden changes  in temperature
  • Smoke(especially cigarettes smoke)
  • Certain foods such as chocolate and processed food
  • Foods containing  artificial sweeteners, nitrates, and monosodium glutamate

Women who experience migraines during pregnancy are more prone to hypertension, preeclampsia, and other vascular disorders.  This is why it’s extremely important to consult your doctor if you experience any type of head pain during pregnancy.  Diagnosing and treating migraines early on can help prevent or manage any complication down the road.

6 Treatment Options for Migraines in Pregnancy

Sadly, most potent migraine medications are unsafe for pregnant women.  There are options that are safe to use during pregnancy.  However, you still need to seek your doctor’s advice to make sure the migraine treatment you’re using is truly safe for you and your baby.

  1. Shot of espresso a day is just enough to make the migraine less severe and still be safe for the baby.  Just make sure not to consume more than 1 cup of coffee per day.  However, this type of treatment will not work if caffeine is one of the things that can trigger your migraine.

 

  1. Certain pain medications like paracetamol and acetaminophen are safe to use during pregnancy but at controlled doses.  Make sure to ask your doctor to get the right dose and advice on how to safely take these drugs.

 

  1. The best form of treatment is prevention, so the most effective way to prevent a migraines is to avoid the triggers.  Keep a trigger journal to take note of the food and other factors that can trigger your migraines.  Knowing what your triggers are can help you know what you should avoid in the future.

 

  1. Exercising during pregnancy can do more than keep you and your bay healthy.  It can also help prevent or alleviate migraines by helping you relieve stress and improve blood circulation.

 

  1. A lot of pregnant women suffer from sleep deprivation during the second and third trimester due to anxiety, insomnia, back pain, and nasal congestion.  The easiest way to ease migraines is to get sufficient rest and some relaxation. A well rested and relaxed body will limit migraine attacks and hasten healing.

 

  1. Alternative treatments work best for migraines in pregnancy because they’re mostly drug-free and all natural.   Studies show that holistic, and relaxation therapies are helpful. There have been good results in therapies like acupuncture, biofeedback, massage, meditation, and yoga in easing and preventing migraines.