Congratulations! You're pregnant, the little miracle in your tummy is growing day by day. But this pregnancy journey can come with a few headaches - literally! Migraines are an unwelcome guest that many women experience during their pregnancy. If you're one of the unlucky ones, don't worry; we've got you covered.
Understanding Migraines
Migraines are recurrent headaches that most often affect one side of the head and cause moderate to severe pain. They typically last between four and 72 hours and have different characteristics such as throbbing or pulsing sensations, sensitivity to light, sound or smells (which may make being around noisy toddlers even harder).
They can also be accompanied by nausea or vomiting, making it hard for you to keep food down -- especially if your partner decides fish and chips should be dinner tonight!
There's no cure for migraines but there are treatments available that can help relieve their symptoms.
Migraine Triggers
If you want to avoid migraines while pregnant (who wouldn't?), these are some triggers that may trigger them:
- Hormonal changes
- Stress
- Fatigue
- Weather changes
- Certain foods e.g., chocolate
- Strong odours e.g., perfumes
Avoiding these triggers altogether could reduce migraine episodes during pregnancy.
However- who’s actually capable of avoiding stress anyway? It's like trying not to laugh at an unfortunate typo on social media (good luck with that!). No matter how organised we try to be having a baby comes with its own inherent stressors so do what you can but don’t fret too much about what’s beyond your control!
Treating Migraines During Pregnancy
The first thing any expectant mother wants when they have a migraine is relief from its crippling pain. Howeverr...the treatment has become a subject of controversy among medical professionals as certain medications that were once considered safe for treating migraines before pregnancy may be harmful during this period. It's advisable to consult your doctor before taking any medication.
Here are some ways you could treat a migraine other than medication:
- Apply a cold or warm compress to the affected area
- Get plenty of rest
- Stay hydrated by drinking fluids (but avoid caffeine as it can further exacerbate headaches)
- Massage on essential pure oil (highly recommend lavender!)to forehead and ears
In conclusion, if you're experiencing migraines while pregnant, take solace in knowing that they won't last forever. With proper care from your attending physician and adherence to healthy living practices ,you can manage them effectively without compromising the health of your unborn child.
Tips for Preventing Migraine During Pregnancy
It’s always better to prevent migraines rather than waiting until they happen! Here are some tips for preventing migraines during pregnancy:
1. Drink Plenty Of Water:
Dehydration is one major trigger form of migraine attacks so make sure,you drink enough water frequently during the day ( at least eight glasses).
2. Eat Small And Regular Meals:
Low blood sugar is another common trigger factor.So ensure you have small regular meals spread throughout the day keeping hunger at bay ,avoid extreme lows hence lowering chances of acquiring unpleasant complications like nausea etc.
3.Some women swear by ginger :
The powerful antioxidant properties found within ginger actually act also work towards reducing inflammation so include ginger tea/even capsules alongside dietary routine .
4.Manage Hormonal Changes
Hormones play a huge role in bringing about complex changes during pregnancy ;where there’s no clear rule book.Maintaining hormonal balance has been shown an effective option at controlling these head pounding conditions.Therefore good self-maintenance/ psychological well-being should be key .
### 5.Massage We already know how much women love going to a spa and getting rubbed down. Give your partner the hint you wanting to be spoilt abit extra this trimester with Alice massage bookings! Massages have been received accolades for being a non-pharmacological treatment option ( especially head, neck and scalp massages) in relieving migraines.
### 6.Seek Outside Support Don’t hesitate sharing about these uncomfortable experience with family members /and or health practitioners amongst other support group(s).Even if usual drives will not act as effective solutions they surely add up to the mental strength while dealing with migraine attacks
When To Seek Medical Advice
While some migraines can be handled independently , there are times when consulting healthcare professional is crucial:
- Migraines that last more than three days.
- Any sudden changes in vision e.g double vision or flashes of light accompanied by headache.
- High fevers.
If experiencing any of these symptoms immediately seek medical attention .
In summary,Migraine isn't your typical horrendous guest; it hits too hard and stays too long- but we hope our guide on duration during pregnancy has provided insight into better understanding triggers,prevention mechanisms/treatment options.Amazingly half of those who experience migraines before pregnancy find that their suffering decreases dramatically soon after embarking on baby journey.Until then take care,new mommy-to-be!!