Migraines & Pregnancy

Re: Migraines & Pregnancy

• LoriZ

  February 2009

  I only get migraines every one to two months, so I only take medication once I feel one starting.  The medication I was on at the time wasn't safe during pregnancy (sorry, forget the name of it), but I ended up only getting one migraine the whole time I was pregnant, and it only lasted about four hours.  I mentioned it to my doctor, and he said that's not totally uncommon.  I guess some people just stop getting migraines while they're pregnant.  Maybe you'll be lucky like me!
  

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• cops_wife member

  February 2009

  I have always gotten hormonal migraines and took BC continuously for a long time to prevent them. I'm allergic to the ingredient in all the major migraine medications anyway. I was terrified they'd be bad once I got pregnant. However, I didn't get migraines pregnant. I can't remember if I had any at all, but if I did, it wasn't many. So I'm with Lori, maybe you'll get lucky!
  

  
  
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• suprchicy

  February 2009

  I get migraines!  I was prescribed Midrin by my OB since I cannot take the other migraine meds during pregnancy.  Midrin does cross the placenta, but is not associated with any adverse effects in the baby.  I haven't had to take it yet, but I've had a couple of mild migraines in the past week.  I was also on beta blockers (atenolol) for a while as a preventative which is also safe during pregnancy. 

  Definitely look into getting off BCP if you are on them, it made a world of difference for me.  I went from having weekly migraines that lasted up to 3 days straight, untouchable by any meds, to now about 1 every 6-8 weeks that only lasted 1 day at most, and able to treat with meds almost immediately when I stopped BCP.    

   If you have neck triggers (like if your neck stiffens or is sore on one side when you get them) massage can help relieve that.  I was also told to take Vitamin B6 supplements.  I use a migrastick that is great for aromatherapy (you can get them at a health food store, it's lavander and peppermint oil).  Caffeine also sometimes helps when I get one.

  I hope you are able to get some answers.  Migraines definitely suck.   
  

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• mrs.george2be04

  February 2009

  I can't think of anything you can take to prevent migraines while pregnant, but a neurologist (or one of our helpful pharmacist nesties) coud tell you for sure.  I have had migraines since I was 10 so I was very worried about migraines during pregnancy.  I had some pretty severe migraines in the early 2nd trimester (one was the most severe migraine I've ever had) but once I was 16w pregnant they stopped and I have not had a migraine since and DS is 9m old.  I still haven't had AF so I'm guessing at least some of my migraines were due to hormones.  I took Fioricet for my pregnancy migraines and it worked well for me.  Good luck with everything!

  
  

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• firegirlkorb1

  February 2009

  **Daves_** - I am not on BC.

  Thank you all for the great feedback!  I really hope I am one of the lucky ones and my hormones change when I become pregnant, but will be talking to my OB & Neurologist this week.

  No Migraines = Heaven! 

  Thanks again

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• shellbug79

  February 2009

  I get awful migraines but like some I am allergic to most ingrediants in migraine medicine so when not pregnant I typically only take Excedrin Migraine, but I'm really good at knowing when I'm going to get one so I can take medicine really early.  The great thing for me is that my migraines actually go away when I'm pregnant! If I get a minor headache while pregnant I take Extra Strength Tylenol for relief or just go to sleep.  My sister in law gets really bad ones when not pregnant & even worse ones when pregnant & takes Midrin, she said that it takes the edge off but she'll still have a dull pain but refuses to take anything else.

  Michelle

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• Meg41208

  February 2009

  I was on topamax pre-pg to prevent migraines.  I went off that a few months before TTC.  I didn't have many headaches at all during my pregnancy, except for a few weeks in the early second trimester.  I was prescribed fioricet to take when my head hurt, but I only took it a few times. 

  

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• Lyons_in_2007

  February 2009

  I've suffered from migraines since the age of 15; however, I too have been extremely lucky in that I haven't had a true migraine since the first few weeks of my pregnancy.  I've read that it is not uncommon for women who typically suffer from migraines to experience some (if not complete) relief during pregnancy...however (not to be a Negative Nancy), there are also cases reported where the frequency and severity of migraines actually increase during pregnancy, so it would definitely be beneficial to discuss preventative measures with your doctors now, so that you are educated on all of your options before the time comes.  When I asked my midwife for advice (just to be safe in the case that one hit), she told me that Tylenol was the only option she could recommend, but advised me to speak to my PCP for a better/more detailed course of action should the need arise.

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