Aches and pains are nothing new to the expectant mother. However, migraine headaches can be extremely painful during pregnancy, and some women repor that they have experienced migraine headaches for the first time during pregnancy. About half of women report a decrease in their migraines during late pregnancy. The onset of migraine headaches during pregnancy is not entirely understood. Researchers believe that migraines during pregnancy may be tied to shifting hormone levels. The good news is that, physiologically, there is no research to suggest that migraines negatively impact the developing baby at all.

A migraine is defined as a severe, incapacitating headache accompanied by nausea, vomiting, photophobia and phonophobia. Migraine headaches should be distinguished from other types of headaches, such as tension headaches. Certain specific thing might trigger migraine headaches. They include:
– stress or other high emotional experiences
– biological factors
– environmental factors
– fatigue and extreme tiredness
– flickering lights, or glaring bright lights
– changes in the air pressure due to weather
– some foods

Treating a migraine can be difficult during pregnancy. Because of the risks to your baby, you should contact your health care provider before taking any pain relievers. Generally, after the first trimester of pregnancy, your doctor may allow you to take acetaminophen (Tylenol). Ibuprofen (Advil) is generally not recommended for pregnant women. Non-medicinal treatments include sleep, cold packs, avoiding or reducing caffeine intake and darkening the room lights. Avoiding migraines by avoiding stress, bright lights, and foods that you know to trigger your migraines may be helpful, as well. Some women experience success at relieving the symptoms of migraines by taking a cool shower. It is believed that the cold water will help to shrink the throbbing blood vessels.

If you experience migraines for the first time during pregnancy, you should talk to your health care provider. She may wish to rule out other causes of your headaches, such as meningitis or tumors. If your headaches increase in frequency and severity as your pregnancy goes on, this can be an indication of another problem as well.

Posted in Pregnancy

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