Migraines During Pregnancy: Understanding, Managing and Thriving

Pregnancy is a beautiful journey filled with anticipation and joy, but it can also come with its challenges. One of the most common concerns is how to treat migraines during pregnancy. For many expectant mothers, the rollercoaster of hormonal changes can trigger or exacerbate migraines, leading to discomfort and distress. There are also concerns about migraines during pregnancy because migraine medications and pregnancy aren’t good partners. Like over-the-counter painkillers, these meds can have a negative impact on fetal health.

Understanding the nuances of pregnancy migraines—including managing migraines postpartum — is crucial for ensuring a smoother journey into motherhood.

Hormonal Migraines and Pregnancy

Pregnancy migraines are headaches that occur specifically during pregnancy. They can vary in intensity, duration, and frequency, and are often linked to hormonal fluctuations. The surge in estrogen levels during the first trimester, followed by a gradual increase in progesterone, can influence the onset and severity of migraines in expectant mothers.

Additional factors such as stress, fatigue, dehydration, and dietary triggers can contribute to the development of migraines during pregnancy. Additionally, pre-existing migraine conditions may either improve or worsen during gestation, adding another layer of complexity.

While migraines during pregnancy are painful, they don’t pose a danger for fetal health. They can, however, signal a higher risk of stroke—particularly in women who experience migraine with aura during pregnancy.¹

Pregnancy migraine triggers include hormonal fluctuations. While some women may experience relief from chronic migraines during pregnancy, others may find their migraines intensify or become more frequent. These hormonal migraines can occur at any stage of pregnancy, although they are more common during the first and third trimesters.

When asked how to treat migraines in early pregnancy, doctors focus on migraine prevention. The fewer migraines, the less discomfort for expectant mothers may need to avoid migraine medications and painkillers during pregnancy.

Managing Migraines While Pregnant

Managing migraines during pregnancy requires a multifaceted approach that prioritizes both the well-being of the mother and fetal health. While traditional migraine medications may pose risks during pregnancy, there are several natural strategies that can help alleviate symptoms and reduce the frequency of migraines:

1. Lifestyle Modifications: Healthy lifestyle habits can help pave the way for pregnancy headache relief. Maintaining a regular sleep schedule, staying hydrated, eating balanced meals, and managing stress are vital both mother and baby. These lifestyle habits help build resilience to the physical and emotional stresses that can overstimulate the brain and lead to attacks.
2. Identifying Triggers: Keeping a migraine diary to track potential pregnancy migraine triggers such as certain foods, environmental factors, or activities can aid in avoiding them. A diary helps you focus on clues to your own unique triggers. For instance, if wine, celery, soy sauce and spinach crop up in your diary in advance of migraine day, histamine may be triggering your migraines.
3. Load up on vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. You are eating for you and your baby. Obstetricians general prescribe supplements, starting with a multivitamin. But if you are prone to migraines during pregnancy, it’s important to talk to your doctor about magnesium as well.
   Magnesium is found to work at the cellular level to support key functions throughout the body. During pregnancy, magnesium supplementation may be able to increase birth weight and reduce growth restriction of the fetus and pre-eclampsia.² A deficiency in magnesium is associated with migraines, so supplementation may be of value in reducing the intensity and frequency of pregnancy migraines at the same time it helps improve pregnancy outcomes.
   There are specially formulated dietary migraine supplements that are safe to take during pregnancy and include nutrients for whole-body health. In terms of pregnancy-safe migraine treatments, many doctors recommend the Dolovent dietary supplement. Dolovent includes not just magnesium, but Vitamin B2 (riboflavin), CoQ10 and more than a dozen other antioxidants that support brain, heart and whole-body health to boost resilience against migraine triggers.
4. Self-care: Exploring non-medication therapies such as acupuncture, massage, biofeedback, and relaxation techniques can provide additional pregnancy-safe migraine treatment without the use of pharmaceuticals.
5. Acute care: It is essential for expectant mothers to communicate openly with their healthcare providers about migraine symptoms. Healthcare providers can advise how to treat migraines in early pregnancy through the postpartum period. In acute cases, healthcare providers may prescribe medications that are considered safe during pregnancy. These medications are often limited to acetaminophen (Tylenol) for pain relief, as well as certain anti-nausea medications. Again, a good prevention plan can go a long way toward minimizing acute migraine attacks in the first place.

Migraines During Pregnancy: When to Worry

Through migraines are common during pregnancy, there are times when a migraine or other type of severe headache becomes a cause for worry.

Stroke risk. Although strokes during pregnancy are rare, migraines can increase a pregnant woman’s stroke risk. This is especially true if you suffer migraines with aura. So if a headache is severe, or just doesn’t go away, or when you have dizziness, blurred vision, or changes in your vision, contact your healthcare provider.³

High blood pressure. Pregnancy headaches can sometimes be related to blood pressure problems. If they are persistent or severe and happen after 20 weeks of pregnancy, let your healthcare provider know. If you have migraines, report them to your healthcare provider.

A first-time migraine. If you experience a migraine-like headache during pregnancy for the first time, tell your doctor. It’s important to determine if it is a migraine vs. a different cause, such as dangerous bleeding in the brain or meningitis.⁴

Managing Migraines While Caring for a Newborn

The postpartum period brings its own set of challenges and adjustments, including managing migraines while caring for a newborn.

During the postpartum period, hormonal shifts continue as the body adjusts after delivery. Sleep deprivation and stress can contribute to the recurrence or worsening of migraines postpartum. It is important for new mothers to establish a support system and communicate their needs to ensure they can effectively manage migraines while caring for their newborn.

Additionally, breastfeeding mothers should consult their healthcare providers before taking any migraine medications, as some medications may pass into breast milk and affect the baby. Reducing the frequency of migraines is critical. Dolovent (mentioned above) is an option generally considered safe for pregnancy headache relief and postpartum migraines. Consult a doctor before taking Dolovent or any supplement or medication while nursing.

Conclusion

Pregnancy migraines can be a source of discomfort and disruption during an otherwise joyous time. By understanding the triggers, implementing appropriate management strategies, and seeking support from healthcare providers, expectant mothers can navigate pregnancy migraines with greater ease. Remember, each pregnancy is unique, and finding the right approach to managing migraines during your pregnancy may require patience and persistence. With proper care and support, mothers can prioritize their well-being and enjoy the journey into motherhood, both during pregnancy and beyond.