Pregnancy and Migraine

Migraineheadaches are a type of vascular headache that results from blood vessels dilating directly in the brain. These are different from stress or tension headaches. Migraine headaches are like the lottery when it comes to pregnancy. If you were prone to getting migraines before getting pregnant, you may experience stronger headaches, or you may find that they diminish during pregnancy. It is also normal to experience your first migraine when you are pregnant. Here is everything you need to know.

Causes of Migraine Headaches

What exactly causes migraine headaches isn't known. But, migraines appear to involve changes in nerve pathways, neurochemicals, and blood flow in the brain. Researchers believe that overly excited brain cells stimulate a release of chemicals. These chemicals irritate blood vessels on the brain's surface. That, in turn, causes blood vessels to swell and stimulate the pain response. Estrogen is thought to play a role in migraines. That's why pregnancy, menstruation, and menopause often change a woman's pattern of migraine headaches.

Frequency of Migraines during Pregnancy

Many women have migraines for the first time when they’re expecting, while some women with a history of migraines get them more often. As with other pregnancy headaches, pregnancy can up your odds of a migraine since your hormones are out of whack. A few other pregnancy-related triggers include fatigue, tension, blood sugar drops, physical or emotional stress, nasal congestion, overheating—or a combination of all of these.

Medications for Migraine Relief

Most health care providers consider acetaminophen (Tylenol) to be the pain relief medication of choice during pregnancy, but you should always talk to your doctor before taking any medication.Pregnant women should NOT take anything containing aspirin or ibuprofen unless prescribed by a health care provider. Always consult your doctor about the best form of pain relief for your migraines.

What you can do to relieve the pain

●Eat regularly. Yes, it’s a license to snack, so your blood sugar stays stable. Make sure it’s a healthy snack rather than chocolate or sweets: the crash that follows a sugar high can bring on a migraine.

●Sleep, nap, rest. Great advice for any mama-in-waiting, but it’s worth stating again because sleep deprivation has been linked to headache and dizziness. Take afternoon naps and schedule early nights.

●Get some fresh air. Hormones are playing with your body temperature and chances are you’re generally more sensitive to smell and light, so spending too much time holed up inside can make you feel hot and stuffy. Commit to taking a 20-minute walk outside every day.

●Stay hydrated. “Gentle exercise in pregnancy is vital but it can lead to dehydration which can bring on headaches. Make sure you drink plenty of water before, during and after exercise.

●Try a relaxation technique. Pregnancy yoga, meditation, massage, biofeedback, and acupuncture, even a little mindful coloring: do whatever it takes to relax your mind and beat stress.

●Identify triggers: Keep a migraine diary so you can track your triggers. Whether it’s hunger, caffeine, too much time in front of a screen or that sneaky pint of ice-cream you accidentally ate for lunch, identifying a pattern means you’ll know what to avoid.

As with any treatment plan, it’s essential that you consult with a doctor before moving forward. If you are a migraine patient and are expecting a child, make an appointment with your physician to discuss the best course of action.