Migraines and Pregnancy - Agawam,MA

If I remember correctly, I started with really bad headaches around either 4-6 weeks then cleared by the end of the first trimester. It's really normal. Easier said than done, mine were not migraines. I wish you luck but I think it will pass if this is the stage you are in.

When I was in high school (long, long ago), my best friend had horrible, recurrent migraines. She finally went to a nutritionist and she never had another migraine again. From what I can remember, her new diet was just really high in fruits. I would definitely recommend visiting one and definitely avoid caffeine. Good luck - I know how harsh migraines are. I can't imagine that on top of pregnancy.

Hi M.,
I suffered horrible blinding migraines when I was pregnant. The miracle drug combo that seemed to work for me was B-12 and Nytol, I know sounds crazy. My doctor said it was not something docs are encouraged to prescribe but I rathered that than the vicodin that did nothing but made me tire. Talk to your doc and maybe do some online research (I don't see much out there), it really was a life saver for me. I would definintely talk to a doc and maybe a place that sells herbal suppliments. Good luck I understand how awful it is to be pregnant and suffer from migraines, not fun!
C.

I had the same issues when I was pregnant with my second, a boy. They said the hormones were to blame and that I should take it easy. My kids were about the same distance apart as your 2 will be. My pregnancy with my daughter was a breeze and had no headaches whatsoever. I would think the male hormones had lots to do with it.

I had migraines before pregnancy and they were even worse when I was pregnant. The worst was that I knew there were meds that worked, but I couldn't take them pregnant. Absolutely take what they give you, even though it might not work all that well. Even if it takes the edge off, it's something. You can also try: alternating heat and ice on the back of your neck, taking a rediculously long shower, making sure that you aren't straining your eyes reading/typing/watching TV, and/or drinking something with a little caffeine in it (one cup of coffee is absolutely fine for the baby). You can also try to figure out if something is "triggering" your migraines other than the pregnancy. I figured out for me it is chocolate (a common trigger) and as soon as I cut that out I went from a migraine every other week to one every couple of months. So worth giving up chocolate. Other common triggers are soda, cheese, wine and strong smells.

Hopefully you just get the one, but in the event that more come, take the meds as early as possible. The longer you wait the harder it is to make the headache go away, and then the more you end up needing to take in the long run.

Good luck and feel better!

I suggest finding a bodyworker who specializes in craniosacral therapy. Massage therapists usually are the best pick then physical therapist or chiropractors. Acupuncture is also something to try. The hormone shifts that occur in pregnancy are large and as you open up the restriction patterns in your body you will be able to decrease the migraines. it is worth the cost and time.

go to Joanne under Reliv r us which is under nutrition The Reliv nutrition will help you and is great for the baby we use this nutrition for prenatel It works fantastic for migraines!!!good luck , P.

I wish I could help - I have been getting migraines SINCE having my baby and it's gotta be the breastfeeding hormones. I refuse to take drugs but the days I have the headaches get pretty rough. I am working with a chiropractor, on a gluten-free diet, and using some acupressure and essential oils as well. I strongly recommend trying a chiropractor and/or acupuncturist. Those are great people to see in pregnancy anyway! =) You may have to do some experimenting to find something that works but it will be worth it to be off the drugs!

Are you positive it is a migraine? I had horrible headaches when I was pregnant, at about 3 or 4 months. So bad I had to stop anything I was doing (pull to the side of the road if I was driving, lay down for several hours). The doctor was no help - prescribed something or other that did nothing for me. Then I read somewhere that iron deficiency could cause anemia which can cause headaches, and that at some point in pregnancy the baby starts using up all your iron resources. Got a bunch of iron pills, took them regularly (even though I was taking the prenatal vitamins) and after a day or so the headaches vanished.

I recommend going to a health food store to get the Bach Flower Essence called Rescue Remedy it is a natural remedy, put 4 drops in water & sip it. It is amazing!

Drink more water, with a pinch of sea salt in it. Dehydration can trigger migraines. Other drinks that have electrolytes are fine too but watch the sugar content.

Take a good B vitamin supplement. B vitamins are water soluble and we need to get them each day. Water soluble also means you cannot overdose on them because your body gets rid of excess each day. B vitamins support a healthy nervous system and a sustained energy level. Trader Joe's has some that you put under your tongue, those are good.

Anti-oxidants are anti-inflammatory. Vitamin C, omega 3 oils and/or any of those berry drinks that people sell like Isagenix, Mangosteen, Acia berry, Xango, etc. would be good. You probably know someone who is a distributor for one of them. Trader Joes's has Omega3 oil and Vitamin C. The chewable C is good but brush or rinse your teeth afterward you don't want it to damage your tooth enamel.

Whatever you put in your body say a little something before you take it that it heal your migraine.

Blessings.

M. -
I have had migraines all my life and with both pregnancies (I am now pregnant - 15 weeks - with number 2) I have had migraines throughout. Do not be afraid of taking medicine. Here's what I do: (and this has been approved by both my OB at MGH and my neurologist)

- at the VERY first sign of a headache take 2 tylenol extra strength. if you are somewhere this is possible, also lie down with an ice pack for 20 minutes.

- if this does nothing, after an hour, try caffeine. a can of coke, a cup of coffee.

- if this does nothing or little, after another hour, use one of the meds your dr. gave you. i have both fioricet and tylenol 3 (with codeine). and go to bed if you can.

- if this is still bothering you after 4 or 6 hours depending on your prescription, you can take another pill.

- the last thing to do is go to the hospital. i have had to do this. they just hydrate you and give you a few other things to try.

and always be hydrated, always.
good luck. it is a terrible thing to suffer migraines and after YEARS i found the above to be the only things that work.

-Holly

M.,
The key to any migrane relief is to catch it when the headache first starts. Playing catch up with pain is very hard to do.
remember that your ob/gyn knows whats save during pregnancy and wouldn't give you something thats harmful.
rest and fluids do a lot to prevent them in the first place.

nicki

Hi M.. I've been where you are and know how painful and scary migraines can be when you're pregnant. My recommendation is to take the medicine that was prescribed. Your OB would not prescribe anything that was dangerous to your baby. You don't mention what your OB prescribed, but if it would make you feel even better about taking it, you should Google it to find out what class the drug is and if there are any known side effects. I sincerely believe this will make you feel better and I believe in turn, make your baby feel better, too. They can sense stress. Good luck and congratulations!

Hi M.. I don't usually get bad headaches, but I did during both of my pregnancies. The first time they lasted through week 18 and the second time they lasted a bit longer. My ob prescribed a medication that combined Butalbital/APAP/Caffeine which got rid of the headaches (and was obviously safe to take during pregnancy since it was prescribed by my ob). Sometimes I needed to take the meds every day for nearly a week and sometimes days would go by without a headache. It was pretty unpredictable, but I was grateful the meds worked when I needed to take them. I hope your migraines don't last much longer and that you are able to find relief in the meantime. Good luck!

Hi M.:

Congratulations on your pregnancy! If it's any consolation, I get migraines on a regular basis and during my pregnancy they became much worse. My OBGYN did prescribe meds. I found that the things that helped most were black tea with tylenol. When you have some down time, sit it a dark room with a cold cloth on your forhead or the back of the neck. These were a few things that helped me. I hope you feel better...good luck:)

When I was pregnant I also suffered from migraines at the beginning. My doctor told me all I could do was a homemade saline rinse twice a day. I can't remember a huge difference, but maybe I avoided some by using the saline rinse. Here is the recipe.

Nasal Wash Treatment

Why should you do nasal wash?
Many people with both acute and chronic sinus congestion can benefit from the daily cleaning of this congestion from the sinuses. Some individuals may also find that a chronic chough or sore throat will improve as well. The simplest way to do this is with a nasal wash. The removal of congestion allows nasal sprays to be more effective and decreases the chances of having a bacterial infection.

Making the Nasal Wash
Pharmacy prescribes solutions are available and go by names like ocean spray or… You can also make the solution at home. Here is how:

First wash your hands.
Second, using a clean glass,
Mix a solution of one-half teaspoon non-iodized salt in 8 oz of warm water
Add a pinch of baking soda.

If you are congested, use he entire 8 oz of solution; otherwise 4 oz should be adequate. Any unused solution should be discarded and a new solution prepared before the next nasal wash.

Nasal Wash Technique
Position yourself for the nasal wash by leaning over the sink wit you head down.
Use a large rubber syringe (available at most pharmacies),
fill the syringe with nasal wash
Insert the tip of the syringe just inside your nostril
Pinch both nostrils around the syringe
Gently squeeze the bulb and release it several times
Swish the solution around in your nose
Blow your nose lightly
Repeat the process

Nasal washes are usually done twice a day unless instructed differently by your doctor.

Cleaning the Equipment
You must thoroughly clean the equipment between each use to prevent the growth of bacteria that would be introduced into your sinuses with washing. Each family member should have their own set of equipment. Periodically clean your bulb syringe with vinegar or rubbing alcohol and thoroughly rinse it before the next use.

Hi M.,

If you have never had a headache like this before, I would not simply accept the diagnosis of "migraine".

Please, if the headache persists or is getting worse, go to the emergency room. Be sure the ER you go to is at a hospital which also has maternity services so they will have OB/GYN's available.

Though rare, it is possible a more serious problem could exist.

God bless and best wishes.

J. L.

Hi M.,
I had migraines with my third and fourth child. It is hormones. It took until I was unable to sleep at all due to the pain before i went to my OB. She prescribed Vicoden. A godsend.
Like others said, the sooner you hit the migraine with pain meds, the better. Start with ibuprofen, if that does not do it, caffeine, and if it gets bad, vicoden (a codeine med). Also very helpful is going to a massage therapist for a head massage - but that is expensive, and often by the time you know one is coming on, they are booked!
Good luck, take care of yourself. -H.

M.,
I never had a migrane before getting pregnant and I am convinced that the headaches that I have had (for 5 days or more) are not migranes (my doc said that if I didnt get migranes before pregnancy then they were likely just nasty pregnancy related headaches). The two best solutions that I have found are:

1) Gatorade. My headaches are caused by dehydration. Despite the fact that I drink a TON of water every day, for some reason my body just wont absorb the liquid properly. Ive found that drinking a gatorade/vitamin water (anything with electrolytes in it) makes me feel almost immediately better

2) Coke. Not diet or caffeine free (or Pepsi for that matter). This is an immediate feel-great solution (helps with the nausea as well as the headaches). However, the back side (with the dehydration) can be worse. Best to drink a gatorade or something before the delightful effects wear off.

If neither of these work, you should ask your Dr. to look at your sinuses. I have a TON of friends who have had sinus infections misdiagnosed as a migrane (one of them had to have CAT scan because when the migrane medicine didnt work... they thought she had a brain tumor...the doc was super embarassed). But- often times the symptoms are similar.

Good luck!
K.

Hi
I am an Occupational Therapist who specializes in CranioSacral Therapy, Massage and other types of bodywork. Many times people get migraines because something in their body is congested......namely those darn hormones. I do not know if you are using or have ever used any type of alternate modality but Acupuncture ( which I do not practice), massage and even CranioSacral Therapy are fabulous ways to naturally help with migraines. Hope this was helpful. Good Luck!
C.

I had a migraine for three weeks with my pregnancy, I feel for you, it was awful. I'd had them before and always on the same day in my cycle so it was hormonal for sure. The doctors told me to take Tylenol, nasal wash and steam. Nothing really worked for me and it finally went away. After the pregnancy I went on Mirena birth control and haven't had a migraine since. Good luck to you and remember it will be all worth it when you hold your new baby in your arms:)