Whether you have suffered with migraines for years or only began having them during pregnancy, the pain can be difficult to deal with. Some women find that their migraines get worse when they become pregnant, while others experience fewer and less severe headaches. Still other women experience their first migraine during pregnancy.
Migraines are not like other headaches. These are caused by the blood vessels in the brain dilating. The pain of a migraine is different from other types of headaches. The pain starts out as a dull ache, which gradually becomes a constant, throbbing pain. Nausea, vomiting and seeing an aura of light are other symptoms that may occur with a migraine.
Prevention is a key component in dealing with migraines during pregnancy. Avoid triggers to help prevent migraines. Some of the more common triggers include:
* Hormones (which explains the headaches in pregnancy)
* Cheese
* Stress
* Chocolate
* Caffeine
If you have just begun to experience migraines, you may not have determined your triggers yet. These can be different for each woman and can even change during pregnancy. If you’ve had migraines for years, you may find that certain things that didn’t bother you before now cause terrible pain.
Keeping a migraine journal is the best way to determine what is triggering your headaches. In your journal, keep track of your diet, stress and headaches. Write down when you have headaches, the level of pain and how long the headache lasts. This will help you see a pattern and identify the triggers.
Don’t take any prescription migraine medicine without your doctor’s approval. Certain medications may not be safe for your baby. Your doctor can determine the best treatment for your headaches that poses the least amount of risk to your baby.
In the meantime, you can try some natural remedies for migraines. These include a nap in a darkened room, a cold towel placed under the back of the head and relaxation techniques. Prenatal yoga or meditation may help reduce the pain of migraines. They can also help relieve the stress that triggers the pain.
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