Migraine During Pregnancy - Causes, Symptoms, Complications, Treatment

Introduction

Headaches are quite common in pregnancy, and the most common are tension headaches and migraine headaches. It is essential to talk to the healthcare provider if any headache is present before, during, or after pregnancy. Many pregnant women have migraine headaches, and over half of women find that their migraines happen less often in the last few months of pregnancy. Migraines might get worse after birth during the postpartum period. Although there can be severe pain with migraine headaches, they do not harm the developing baby.

What Are Migraine Headaches?

One of the most common headaches is migraine, which affects the nerves and blood vessels. The two most common types of migraines are migraine with aura and migraine without aura.

• A migraine with aura usually happens 10 to 30 minutes before the migraine starts, and there can be flashing lights or zigzag lines or loss of eyesight for a short time. The aura may also happen during the migraine.

• Migraines without aura usually have an aura and may have other symptoms before it starts.

What Causes Migraine During Pregnancy?

Migraine headaches might have a genetic component as they tend to run in families. One of the most common triggers in women is fluctuating hormone levels, particularly the rise and fall of estrogen. Migraine attacks during pregnancy tend to be experienced in the first trimester of pregnancy most often, as the estrogen hormone levels have not yet stabilized. The blood volume increases in the first trimester can also be an additional factor. As the blood vessels expand in the brain to accommodate extra blood flow, sensitive nerve endings can be pressed and cause pain. Other common migraine triggers, whether pregnant or not, are:

1. When not getting sufficient sleep.

2. Stress.

3. Not staying hydrated.

4. Certain foods.

5. Exposure to bright, intense light.

6. Exposure to strong smells and weather changes.

Are Migraines Dangerous During Pregnancy?

When the headache is the sign of something else, it is dangerous. When the headache is accompanied by fever, it is essential to consult the healthcare provider if there is a persistent headache for more than a few hours or if it returns frequently and experiences blurred vision.

What Are the Symptoms of Pregnancy Migraine Attacks?

During pregnancy, the migraine attack will look a lot like a migraine attack when not pregnant. There can be symptoms like:

• Head pain is throbbing in nature, usually one-sided behind one eye.

• Vomiting.

• Nausea.

• Sensitivity to light, smells, sounds, and movement.

What Are the Possible Complications of Migraines?

If a migraine-like headache occurs for the first time, it is necessary to check for any type of condition that may be dangerous, such as bleeding in the brain, high blood pressure, meningitis, or tumors. Further testing might be needed to find the cause of the headache, and the testing may include urinary and blood tests.

How Are Migraine Headaches Managed in Pregnancy?

Migraine in pregnancy is treated to soothe the pain, and this includes cold packs, a darkened room, and sleep. Certain foods that trigger stress should also be avoided. Medicines should be carefully chosen that will help to treat pain, vomiting, and nausea. Some of the migraine treatments in pregnancy are:

• Most medicines should be avoided in the first trimester, as they can pass through the placenta to the developing baby.

• Small amounts of Acetaminophen and caffeine are safe in pregnancy.

• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medicines such as Ibuprofen should be avoided.

• Medications such as Sumatriptan and opioid pain medicines such as Morphine to treat migraine headaches should be used only as directed by the healthcare provider. Pain relievers containing opioids are prone to have addictive side effects on pregnant mothers and babies.

What Are the Natural Remedies for Pregnancy Migraines?

The symptoms of pregnancy during the first three months can make the migraine worse. Morning sickness will make the feeling of eating and drinking less, leading to reduced blood sugar levels and dehydration. It is essential to be careful to avoid the migraine worsening. To prevent this, eating frequent meals and drinking frequent amounts of water is necessary. The other remedies are:

• Dark rooms will help reduce migraines as they are sensitive to bright lights.

• Short naps by lying down will help to alleviate migraines, and many people report that a half-hour nap will stop the pain.

• Placing a cold pack or damp towel on the head while lying down will alleviate the pain, as the cold pack will constrict the blood vessels in the head.

• Relaxing the muscles around the back, neck, and head can release the pressure causing pain, and these relaxing exercises should be practiced after consulting the doctor.

• Avoiding dehydration and maintaining a healthy and balanced lifestyle can help mitigate migraine symptoms.

How Is Migraine Treated With Medications in Pregnancy?

In pregnancy, if drug treatment is required, there are numerous options to ensure that migraine does not affect the quality of life and interfere with daily activities. Medicines to treat migraines should be used under the doctor's consultation, who will help weigh the benefits of treatment against any risks.

• For mild to moderate pain in pregnancy, Paracetamol is the first choice treatment and has an excellent overall safety profile.

• If Paracetamol does not control migraine pain, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs might be recommended by a doctor in the first and second trimesters. It is very important not to use this drug after thirty weeks of pregnancy as it may affect the baby.

• Sumatriptan is given in case Paracetamol has not controlled the pain and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs cannot be used.

• Codeine can be given if other treatments do not work. Some studies show that certain birth defects are more common after Codeine use in early pregnancy.

Conclusion

Migraine prevention is more difficult when the patient is pregnant. There is the possibility of complications during pregnancy with preventive agents. Therefore, that should be stopped when women are planning to conceive.