Having headaches during pregnancy is intolerable enough, what more migraines. Migraines can last for hours and they may even result in sensitivity to light, and even nausea in some really bad cases.
A bad migraine is not just painful, but it can leave you feeling weak and lifeless too. Sometimes, pregnancy may make migraines worse or may alleviate the symptoms. If you’re one of the former, here are some ways to deal with it, safely.
Firstly, avoid triggers at all costs!
Stress, fatigue, loud noises, tobacco smoke, blazing lights, excess heat or cold, and certain foods, like chocolate, caffeine, and even artificial sweeteners are known to trigger a migraine for many people. Even if you have never had migraines before, pregnancy may cause migraines in some pregnant women. So, to be safe, whether or not you’re a typical migraine sufferer, avoiding all known migraine triggers will help, keep them away!
Use a cold compress
Migraine during pregnancy can be bad, but it doesn’t help if you’re feeling tired too. Stop whatever you’re doing and lay down for a while. While you’re resting, hold a cold compress on your forehead or neck. It’s a cooling, soothing way to get rid of that throbbing migraine. Don’t wait for a migraine to get worse before doing this. As soon as you feel a migraine is surfacing, lie down at once and do this.
Migraine medications
Doctors may recommend to stay off medications during pregnancy unless they are really necessary. Paracetamol has been considered safe during pregnancy and breastfeeding, but do talk to your doctor if you think you need to take medication.
Have a routine
For some women, following a daily routine helps. This is because, in many cases, factors such as sleep disturbances, or going hungry because of having skipped a meal, are known to trigger migraines in pregnant women. Eat at regular intervals and avoid skipping meals. Keep everything that you do at certain times of the day going on at that same time, each day.
Exercise may help!
There is evidence pointing out that physical workout can reduce the severity and frequency of migraines. It helps reduce stress. Stress, as everyone knows, is one of the many triggers of migraine. If you are prone to migraines, start exercising slowly, and gently. Avoid sudden activities, for that, may cause a headache!
Walking is a great way to begin exercising, especially if you’ve never exercised before. However, do not attempt to exercise when you’re already having a migraine, for that will only worsen the situation. Try a cold compress as mentioned earlier to help the migraine subside before you begin your exercise.
Always talk to your doctor before taking any drug therapy or treatment, be it natural or herbal. Also, be sure and double-check with your obstetrician or certified midwife about the safety of any kind of medications during pregnancy. Migraine pain may be agonizing; however, using the above ways can help relieve them during this new and wonderful phase of your life.
