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How to Treat Migraines in Early Pregnancy?

August 26, 2024

Pregnancy causes several changes in the body as the hormone levels fluctuate throughout their pregnancy. So, you can notice several changes in your body during pregnancy. You may also suffer from specific pregnancy symptoms like nausea, vomiting, dizziness, headache, etc. Some may suffer migraine during their early pregnancy due to changes in their body. Usually, migraine triggers are more intense in the early pregnancy stage and improve during the second and third trimesters. There are safe migraine relief pregnancy treatments to manage and ease the pain. Continue reading for a detailed outlook on the treatment available for migraines during early pregnancy.

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What is Migraine Pain?

You may experience migraine during your early pregnancy. Migraines are similar to headaches, where intense and sharp pain is experienced on one side of the head. You may feel a dull pain in your head that intensifies into a throbbing pain. Usually, migraines vary in intensity and last 6 hours to 2 days.

Symptoms of Migraine

All pregnant women do not suffer from migraine pain. Migraines are usually accompanied by dizziness, nausea, vomiting, light or intense sound sensitivity, blurred vision, numbness and chills. These are the common symptoms of migraine during pregnancy. Pregnancy can worsen the above symptoms of migraine.

Causes of Migraine Pain During Pregnancy

It is usual for pregnant women to experience migraine. The exact cause of migraine is unknown. Fluctuating hormone levels are the primary cause of migraine pain in pregnant women. The rise in oestrogen levels in the first trimester can also be a cause of early pregnancy migraine. Specific triggers, namely stress, food, weather, and hormonal changes, cause migraines in pregnant women. Lack of sleep, skipping meals, and improper lifestyle can also trigger migraine attacks during pregnancy.

Treating Migraine during Pregnancy

Migraines are unpredictable pain that lasts for a few hours or one or two days. If you find it challenging to manage migraine pain during pregnancy, you can look for various treatment options. Here is a detailed outlook on pregnancy migraine treatments.

Natural Ways of Treating Migraine

Pregnant women look for natural relief options. Here are natural migraine remedies during pregnancy; if you’re suffering from migraine and related symptoms during your early pregnancy,

● Increase your fluid intake. Staying hydrated can help you ease migraine and related symptoms.

● Try avoiding the migraine triggers.

● A short nap can help you ease the migraine pain.

● Move to a dark room as you may experience sensitivity to light due to migraine.

● Practice relaxation techniques to relax the muscles surrounding your neck and head. This helps release pressure on your head.

● Offer a cold pack on your head to ease the pain.  

● Practising a healthy lifestyle can help ease the symptoms of migraine.

● Intake of magnesium supplements can reduce the chance of migraine during pregnancy.

Prescription Medications to Ease Migraine

Consult your healthcare provider when you find it challenging to manage migraine pain and its associated symptoms. Your doctor may prescribe certain preventive medications to avoid migraine during pregnancy. Acetaminophen is a safe medicine for migraine pain during pregnancy. Non-steroidal and anti-inflammatory drugs, including ibuprofen, toroidal, and naproxen, can be taken in limited dosages during the second trimester. These medicines are effective in treating migraine during pregnancy. All these medicines are entirely safe to use during pregnancy.Beta-blockers are commonly prescribed for preventing migraine pain. Sumatriptan and triptans are safe preventive migraine medicines that do not harm your growing baby.

If you suffer from nausea along with migraine, your doctor may suggest medicines, including metoclopramide, prochlorperazine, and diphenhydramine. Never consume these medicines for a prolonged time, especially when you’re pregnant.

In case of extreme pain, your doctor may prescribe you opioids, but it is not suitable for regular use. Nerve block injections containing lidocaine and bupivacaine are injected into the scalp for immediate pain relief. These local injections are safe to be administered during pregnancy. Doctors also suggest using a nasal spray containing liquid lidocaine 4% twice daily.

Alternative Therapies for Migraine

You can try out specific non-pharmaceutical treatment options to alleviate migraine pain during pregnancy. Please consult with your doctor before taking these.

● Acupuncture: It is an effective alternative treatment for treating migraine where the therapist works on the pressure points to relieve pain.

● Use of Essential Oils: Essential oils are usually applied topically to the affected area or used in a diffuser. Peppermint, eucalyptus, chamomile, lavender, and rosemary are essential oils for treating migraines. Be careful not to ingest the oil. It is best to dilute the essential oil before you use it.

It is possible to manage the symptoms of migraine and get rid of the pain by choosing any of the above treatment options or a combination of treatments.

Conclusion

Migraine is common during pregnancy. The intensity of migraine pain varies based on its symptoms. Prevention and treatment can help you get rid of migraine pain. There are comprehensive treatment options available for treating migraine during pregnancy. It is up to you to choose the proper treatment to alleviate migraine pain during pregnancy. Make sure you choose safe treatment options that do not affect your growing baby.

FAQs

1. How do you treat migraines in the first trimester of pregnancy?

● Increase your water intake.

● Use cold packs on your head.

● A short nap can ease migraine pain.

● You can intake non-steroid and anti-inflammatory drugs recommended by your doctor.

      2.   What can I use for headaches in early pregnancy?

You can try cold packs or massage your head to eliminate headaches in early pregnancy. You can also use paracetamol to get rid of headaches in early pregnancy.

     3.   How do you get rid of a migraine at 37 weeks pregnant?

It is better to opt for natural remedies for treating migraine at 37 pregnant.

● Rest in a dark room

● Drink plenty of fluid

● Give a cold compress

● Stay active throughout your pregnancy

● Use safe drugs recommended by your doctor

     4.    What makes pregnancy headaches go away?

Ample rest, drinking plenty of fluids, and staying relaxed can help pregnancy headaches go away independently. Identify the trigger that causes pregnancy headaches. This can help you ease the headache during pregnancy.

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