LivingMigraines in pregnancy: what you can do with one...
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Migraines in pregnancy: what you can do with one of the worst headaches

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Migraine is one of the worst headaches we can experience. It is often so intense and can be accompanied by dizziness, nausea, vomiting, and fatigue, which prevents normal daily activities from being carried out.

What if they show up when you are expecting a baby? We tell you about migraines in pregnancy , their symptoms and what you can do about it.

What is migraine and what are its symptoms

Migraine is a severe and disabling type of headache that has certain specific characteristics or symptoms:

  • It is one-sided
  • Feels with pulsations
  • It affects only part or half of the head
  • May be accompanied by photophobia (intolerance of light)
  • Nausea, vomiting and / or diarrhea may occur

Although each case is different and an episode of migraines can be triggered for biological, psychological, nutritional reasons or atmospheric changes, in the case of women who suffer from them, these can occur during menstruation, due to the decrease in estrogens that occurs during cycle .

The probability of suffering from migraines in pregnancy

According to a study on migraine and pregnancy, migraine is the most common neurological problem during pregnancy , although the intensity can vary between each woman.

Between 60% and 70% of women who suffer from migraine significantly improve their symptoms during pregnancy, while around 30% of them do not feel improvement when they have a migraine episode, and in 5% of them, the migraine worsens in pregnancy.

In the case of those who feel an improvement in migraines during pregnancy, it is due to the absence of fluctuations in estrogens (what we mentioned as the cause of a migraine episode being triggered during menstruation).

Does a migraine affect my baby?

The answer is no. It does not negatively influence the baby, nor does it increase the risk of presenting any complication such as risk of miscarriage or fetal malformations.

In general, headaches, migraines or migraines during pregnancy are not a cause for concern , but we must be alert to other symptoms or if the pain is too intense (in the case that it is not a migraine or they have never been suffered before) and consult with our doctor.

However, a study from a few years ago found that having persistent migraines in pregnancy could increase the risk of having a stroke or heart attack, so it is very important to tell your doctor if you suffer from migraines and attend all check-ups During pregnancy.

Treatment of migraine during pregnancy

The main problem of suffering from migraines in pregnancy is the treatment, because during this stage the use of medications should be avoided. Paracetamol is the only pain reliever that is allowed during pregnancy , but it is still recommended to avoid it completely as studies have found that it increases the risk of the baby suffering from certain diseases.

According to the study we mentioned, there are some medications that can be taken in the specific case of migraines in pregnancy and that should only be recommended by your doctor. You should never use the migraine medications that you took before pregnancy , as they could cause malformations in the baby or increase the risk of miscarriage.

Some preventive measures or natural remedies for migraine can be the following:

  • To sleep. Although it can be difficult, try to sleep and rest in a dark and quiet place. When doing this, remember to lie on your left side to improve blood circulation.
  • Find a quiet space. If you can’t sleep, at least find peace of mind, away from crowds, loud sounds and lights, or any external stimuli that could make your migraine worse.
  • Drink fluids. Staying hydrated may help reduce migraine discomfort.
  • Use relaxation techniques. Meditation or relaxing exercise such as yoga may help decrease a migraine.

Another tip is to write down when migraine episodes occur, in order to identify the triggers and thus do everything possible to avoid or reduce the occurrence of migraines in pregnancy .

Photo | iStock
In Babies and more | Discomfort during pregnancy: migraines, I am pregnant and my head hurts a lot, is it normal? Natural remedies to relieve headaches in pregnancy

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