Migraine during pregnancy can be very frightening and stressful. Your pregnancy migraine symptoms may be different than your regular ones. Your growing baby may limit your options for treatment. Migraines affect around 20% of pregnant women. Here are some facts about pregnant migraines.
Pregnancy
Things change when you’re pregnant, as you probably know. Your body experiences a lot of hormonal changes during pregnancy. Your migraine symptoms may disappear during pregnancy. You may experience migraines again if you haven’t had them before. Or your headaches might become more frequent.
This is due to hormonal changes that can occur during pregnancy. Migraines can be triggered by hormonal changes. As easily as they can prevent a migraine, small changes in hormones could trigger one. You’ll likely recognize the symptoms if you’re used to experiencing migraines. It can be very frightening to experience your first migraine during pregnancy. Many expectant moms worry that something is wrong with their baby.
Let’s see…
A classic migraine is the most common type. A classic migraine is a type of migraine that occurs between 30-40 minutes before the actual headache hits. An aura is a pre-attack phase. You will feel a dull ache in your back that moves around your temples and to the front of you head during migraine attacks. It may be felt on one side or the other. Many people describe it as a constant throbbing, pulsating headache.
They can last from a few hours up to several days. Knowing what triggers migraines is key to your treatment. Triggers for migraines include stress, hormones, changes to the weather, and certain trigger foods like cheese and chocolate. If you have migraines that occur after becoming pregnant, or if they become more frequent or severe, talk to your obstetrician.
Talk to your obstetrician about safe painkillers and other remedies for pregnant women. Tylenol’s main ingredient, Acetaminophen is generally considered safe for pregnant women. If your doctor has prescribed you to take aspirin, DO NOT take it. If your migraine lasts more than 3 days, or you have a fever with the headache, it could be a sign of something more serious. Seek medical attention immediately.
Conclusion
Although it is frightening, a migraine during pregnancy is not usually dangerous. While most pregnant migraine sufferers experience fewer headaches, some may experience more severe symptoms. Migraines can build upon each other. Reduce your migraines by taking steps. Keep a migraine diary. Keep track of when and what type of migraine it was. Track what you ate, how your emotions were, and what the warning signs were. Keep a log of your headaches to find out what triggers them. To stop migraines from coming, avoid your triggers and take action immediately if you feel them.
