Migraine during pregnancy: symptoms, causes, treatment, prevention

Unfortunately, scientists still know nothing about the exact causes of migraines, except that the main “culprits” are the blood vessels of the brain. During pregnancy, taking into account hormonal changes, there are even more reasons for migraines. And, although a migraine attack in itself does not harm the unborn baby, young mothers have a very hard time, because the most popular methods of treating migraines are not suitable and can be dangerous during pregnancy.

How to treat migraine for expectant mothers?

What provokes it?

Alcohol is a common cause of migraines, even in small quantities

Typical causes of severe headaches in a pregnant woman lie in external and internal negative factors, including a lack of certain microelements in the body and constant stress associated with the news of pregnancy, whether pleasant or unwanted.

The main causes of migraine during pregnancy:

• incorrectly composed diet, consumption of large amounts of sweets, citrus fruits, dairy products;
• bad habits - migraine during pregnancy necessarily accompanies women who have not stopped smoking and drinking alcohol after conception;
• dehydration and lack of fluid in the body, especially in early pregnancy;
• inadequate intake of medications; a woman should not treat headaches during pregnancy with standard medications without consulting a doctor;
• drug treatment of nausea and dyspepsia can provoke migraines during pregnancy, drug overdose, to which the fetus also reacts negatively;
• in the early stages of pregnancy, stress is a dangerous factor, the treatment of which should be carried out in the same way as any other disorder, because it most often provokes migraines during pregnancy;
• insomnia, lack of proper rest and high stress, which is manifested by lethargy, memory impairment, drowsiness, pale skin against a background of severe headache, in this case you need to make attempts to normalize sleep and give the body more rest;
• an allergic reaction in the early stages can cause migraine during pregnancy, the allergen being any product that was normally accepted by the body before pregnancy.

Less commonly, migraines during pregnancy can be triggered by weather conditions and climate change.

In addition to headaches, women always have concomitant neurological disorders, and if nothing is done about it, the unborn child may suffer. In advanced cases, symptomatic treatment and constant well-being at home will be required.

Paracetamol during lactation

With breast milk, the child receives from the mother everything he needs for his development. Therefore, the mother’s diet should exclude harmful substances, such as allergens. Medicines taken by a nursing mother can cause harm. Therefore, treatment must be chosen with caution.

Paracetamol is suitable for headaches and high fever. Especially often, the temperature can rise in the first time after the birth of a child, when lactation has not yet normalized and there is a threat of milk stagnation or mastitis.

You need to take one tablet of a drug containing paracetamol. If the temperature does not decrease, you should consult a doctor.

Eliminating migraines at home

The first aid for a headache is to rest; a woman can take a warm shower, meditate, or sleep. If attacks occur regularly and migraines have become a common condition during pregnancy, you should try to protect yourself from all negative factors.

What to do to prevent migraines during pregnancy?

Eliminating migraines at home

1. Normalize your rest regime, avoid overwork, rest more, but at the same time spend more time in the fresh air, take walks in quiet places.
2. Adjust your diet, include more invigorating and light foods in your diet, and remember to drink enough fluids.
3. Do exercises for pregnant women every day, go swimming in the pool.
4. Get used to washing with cold water; if you have a severe headache, you can apply ice bags to the back of your head and forehead, which will ease the symptoms of migraine without medications, since migraines during pregnancy are better treated with folk remedies and methods rather than with medications.
5. To avoid stressful situations, during an attack you need to lie down in a ventilated and warm room without unnecessary sounds, which will significantly ease the headache.
6. Some women eliminate migraines during pregnancy using relaxation techniques, practicing yoga and meditation.
7. Classic, acupressure, honey massage not only relaxes the whole body, but also affects neurological manifestations, relieving them.

Pregnant women with unpleasant migraine symptoms are advised to try acupressure.

It can be performed by a professional or a trained loved one. This massage is performed with the fingertips, with moderate pressure, which does not cause pain or discomfort. After the procedure, muscle tension and spasms go away, blood flow in the brain and the whole body improves.

Elimination of migraines in pregnant women with the help of drugs is used in extreme cases when other methods cannot cope with severe neurological symptoms. A specialist can prescribe Paracetamol - the safest drug for pregnant women, and the use of any other medications is discussed with the attending physician and requires the exclusion of negative effects on the unborn child.

Preventing the development of migraines

No one suggests enduring a spasm during a migraine. Moreover, modern pharmacology has a huge arsenal of tools:

• Aspirin . To alleviate the condition, 1 tablet per day is enough. For optimal effect, it is recommended to drink drinks with a high caffeine content (coffee, tea). After 15 minutes, the concentration of acetylsalicylic acid in the blood is maximum. It is forbidden to take aspirin during menstruation, intolerance to the drug, ulcers or gastritis of the stomach.
• Analgin . Another representative of the old guard. The budget product is available for any category, is not addictive, and has an anti-inflammatory effect. People with kidney and liver failure, or problems with blood circulation, do not use it.
• Citramon . The tablet restores blood microcirculation in the inflamed area of ​​the nervous system. Take 1 piece 3 times a day. The peculiarity of the drug is that it can be taken by pregnant women with migraine attacks in all stages except the first trimester. Then all organs are formed and it is better to refuse the medicine.
• Ibuprofen . Refers to anti-inflammatory, not painkillers. It is not recommended to take it with aspirin. Otherwise, ibuprofen quickly removes acetylsalicylic acid from the body, causing complications and side effects.

Effective folk methods and recipes

Apply an ice bag to your head

Traditional medicine recommends the following methods of combating migraines in pregnant women:

• drinking strong sweet tea is recommended to eliminate severe headaches against the background of low blood pressure, but this is prohibited in the early stages, for women with diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular diseases;
• a cabbage leaf compress is applied to the forehead, which helps relieve headaches more effectively than some medications;
• Pregnant women can apply ice bags to their foreheads, but for a short period of time, so as not to catch a cold;
• You can wipe your forehead, back of your head and temples with lavender water; inhalation, inhalation of citrus fruit vapors, lemon balm also help, which relieves headaches and invigorates, but only in the absence of allergies, which could trigger a migraine.

Treatment of intense migraine spasms during pregnancy

When a migraine headache begins to hurt severely, you need to act quickly and effectively. Then drugs enter the arena:

1. Excedrin. Quickly relieves pain and prevents reoccurrence. The drug has proven itself for the treatment of migraines and patients of any age. To alleviate the condition, 1 tablet with meals is enough. But there are also contraindications. Do not take the product in parallel with caffeine-containing drinks, tablets, or salicylic acid.
2. Sedalgin-NEO . Recommended for combating seizures for everyone except pregnant and lactating women. It has antipyretic, analgesic and mild sedative properties. Take 1-2 tablets with food.
3. Pentalgin . Analgesic and anti-inflammatory agent made from 5 components. Codeine reduces excitability and relaxes, and phenobarbital acts as an antispasmodic. Pregnant women take them only after a doctor's permission.
4. Naproxen . Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug in gel form. The menthol base calms the nervous system and relieves spasms. Medicinal components relieve nausea, pain, dizziness and weakness. Not allowed for the treatment of lactating women and pregnant women in the third trimester.
5. Solpadeine . This optimal combination of paracetamol, caffeine and codeine will relieve pain and fever in a couple of minutes. Before taking the product, carefully read the contraindications and recommended dosage.
6. Askofen-P . Combined drug of 3 components. Acetylsalicylic acid, caffeine and paracetamol affect the thermoregulation center. This effect removes the sensation of heat and pulsation in a certain area of ​​the head. Contraindications: inflammatory processes of the gastrointestinal tract, pregnancy and breastfeeding

All of the above medicines are heavy artillery, which within a couple of minutes removes the shackles from the head and returns to normal. Potent drugs are prescribed only by a doctor after diagnosis. In case of pathological changes in the vessels of the head, triptans are used. They improve blood circulation and prevent hypoxia. The most popular triptan is Sumatriptan.

All remedies that are used during a severe attack are divided into:

1. Containing caffeine . They tone the nervous system, improve the functioning of nerve endings, and relieve discomfort. Paracetamol is added to enhance the effect of caffeine.
2. Codeine-containing drugs are used to relieve severe pain . They block receptors, suppress cough and have a sedative effect. But prolonged and uncontrolled use provokes addiction. And codeine is listed in medical reference books as a narcotic substance.

( Video : “How to get rid of headaches during pregnancy without medications!”)

Drug treatment

Medicines are prescribed for severe clinical migraine with associated disorders. Citramon and Paracetamol are prescribed. During pregnancy, each drug can cause a reverse reaction, increasing unpleasant symptoms, therefore any drug is prescribed in small doses, exclusively by the attending physician. Experts recommend taking vitamin complexes and magnesium supplements to improve blood circulation.

It is strictly contraindicated during pregnancy to relieve headaches with Aspirin, as it can provoke internal bleeding, which is extremely dangerous for the fetus and the woman herself.

Aspirin in large quantities can even provoke premature birth and miscarriage, which is why it is so important not to self-medicate.

How to deal with migraines during pregnancy

It often happens that painkillers or antispasmodics are prohibited or are not available. During an attack, it is important to quickly eliminate pain and restore functionality. To do this, try:

1. Lie down on your back. If you have a headache right at work, then sit back in a chair and place a cushion of clothing under your shoulder blades and neck.
2. Darken the room, close the blinds, dim the lights. There should also be no sharp sounds.
3. Apply aromatherapy. Essential oils of lavender, eucalyptus, myrrh and cherry will help. Or sew a small pillow and fill it with dried plants. During a migraine attack, place it under your head or neck.
4. Always carry your usual tablets for the treatment of migraines in your cosmetic bag, purse or inner clothing pocket.
5. Menthol ointment or “Star” removes the shackles of pain. Apply a little onto your fingertips and massage into your temples. Practice shows that after 5 minutes it will become easier and you can return to your usual way of life.

Interesting : It turns out that hot tea helps relieve an attack no worse than painkillers. After drinking a dose of caffeine, brew strong green or black tea with lemon or lemongrass tincture. Drink after 15 minutes.

Associated symptoms of migraine

Headaches in pregnant women almost never come alone. Migraine during pregnancy is accompanied by photophobia, changes in taste preferences, and even psychological disorders. Most women complain of a fear of light during the daytime, so they curtain the windows and do not leave the house. For some, migraines are accompanied by intolerance to specific odors, and these could be flowers, foods, or perfumes.

Less often, a pregnant woman withdraws into herself, becomes detached, loses normal sleep, and causeless anxiety and fear appear. Psychological disorders require correction by a psychologist or even a psychotherapist. Against the background of toxicosis in the first or second trimester, women experience constant nausea, vomiting, general weakness, and migraine only worsens this.

Causes

The occurrence is associated with a violation of the nervous regulation of blood vessels, the release of special biologically active substances (serotonin). This leads to a deterioration in the functioning of the nervous tissue, the processing of information about pain, as well as impulses emanating from the senses and internal systems, is disrupted.

Most often the disease can be provoked by:

• strong emotions, including positive ones;
• prolonged anxiety, low mood;
• physical overload;
• fluctuations in atmospheric pressure, temperature, magnetic storms;
• consumption of large amounts of chocolate, smoked meats, red wine, coffee, hard cheeses;
• changes in hormonal levels.

Strong light, loud sound, or a certain pungent odor trigger a cascade of processes leading to the appearance of symptoms.

A few words from the author

Since the age of 16, I have been periodically tormented by headaches. I wake up in the morning and my head already hurts, and the saddest thing is that standard medications like analgin and pentalgin don’t help. Usually, by evening the pain subsides on its own.

At an appointment with a neurologist, he complained of headaches and he advised me to take the medicine Vasobral. I won’t say that it completely got rid of my headaches, but life became a little easier.