Migraine headaches are different from stress and tension headaches. They occur due to dilated blood vessels in the brain. Women who are prone to migraine headaches may experience an increase or decrease in the occurrence of these headaches during pregnancy. Some women experience their first migraine headache during pregnancy. Hormonal fluctuations affect the frequency and intensity of migraine headaches.

Symptoms of a migraine
A migraine headache generally starts as a dull ache which gradually increases in intensity and becomes a throbbing and pulsating pain in the temples, front, or base of the head. Apart from a headache, pregnant women suffering from migraine complain of symptoms like nausea and vomiting, tunnel vision, blind spots, and aura (the appearance of dots of flashing lights, wavy lines or jagged lines before a migraine).

Migraine in pregnant women
Migraine headaches are usually not dangerous for pregnant women. But if the headache is a sign of an underlying condition, it may be dangerous. Pregnant women should consult their doctor immediately if they have a headache accompanied by fever, if the headache is persistent and returns frequently or if they experience blurred vision.

Treatment of migraine in pregnant women
Pregnant women should keep a diary about their headaches. They should note down the time, duration, and trigger of the headache. In this way, they can identify triggers and stay away from them. Some of the common triggers of migraine headaches are stress, coffee, weather, hormones, chocolate, lack of sleep, and foods that contain MSG and nitrates. The triggers of migraine vary from person to person, and maintaining a diary helps to identify the unusual ones.

Home remedies for treating migraine
Pregnant women can try home remedies to manage and control migraine headaches. These remedies are safe as they do not have any side effects.

• Take a cold shower
• Place a cold towel on the head
• Take a nap
• Exercise regularly
• Use relaxation techniques like meditation and yoga
• Place heating or cooling pads on the eyes, head or back of the neck to get relief from pain
• Drink a lot of water
• Get a massage using essential oils
• Opt for treatments like acupuncture and biofeedback

Medications for migraine during pregnancy
Pregnant women should avoid taking migraine medications as many of these medicines can lead to severe side effects like birth deformities in babies, excessive bleeding, miscarriage, and intrauterine growth restriction.

Most healthcare professionals prescribe acetaminophen to treat migraine in pregnant women. But is advisable to speak to a doctor before starting any treatment or taking any medicine.

Medications to avoid during pregnancy
It is not advisable for pregnant women to consume certain medications.

• Aspirin
• Anti-inflammation medicines like ibuprofen and naproxen
• Narcotic medicines like hydrocodone
• Sodium valproate
• Topiramate
• ACE inhibitors and ARB medications

To prevent the occurrence of complications, pregnant women should avoid taking medications unless prescribed by their doctor.