Migraines during pregnancy, know the causes and how to deal with them

In one study, it was found that as many as 39% of pregnant women experience headaches. One type of headache that commonly occurs in pregnant women is migraine. Quoted from the Mayo Clinic, migraines can cause a sharp throbbing headache. You can also experience other migraine symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, and a sense of extreme sensitivity to light and sound. Find out more about the causes of migraines during pregnancy and some ways to treat them here.

Causes of migraines during pregnancy

The most common causes of migraines are changes in nerve pathways, neurochemistry, and blood flow in the brain.

The researchers found that when you have a migraine, there are brain cells that stimulate the release of chemical compounds. These chemicals irritate the blood vessels on the surface of the brain, causing them to swell and stimulate a pain response.

Apart from problems with the transmission of nerve pathways, several studies have linked the onset of migraines to hormonal changes. Women experience hormonal changes more often than men at certain points in their lives, such as during menstruation and pregnancy. That's why migraine headaches are more common in women than men, especially during pregnancy.

Some of the common causes of migraines that you can feel and usually occur in the first semester of pregnancy are:

Hormonal changes and increased blood pressure.
Dehydration or lack of water intake.
Fatigue, dizziness, nausea, and vomiting also occurs.
Lack of rest that is not accompanied by proper sleep time.
Do a little physical activity.
Senses sensitivity when looking at light.

Migraine symptoms in pregnant women

Children and adolescents can experience migraine type headaches. Symptoms can develop from the prodrome, aura, attack, and postdrome phases. However, there is no need to worry because not all migraine sufferers pass these stages, including migraines during pregnancy.

Migraine in pregnant women usually starts with a dull ache and eventually becomes a throbbing, constant pain in the area of the temples, in front of the head, as well as the base of the head. Some of the symptoms of migraine in pregnant women that you can feel are:

A throbbing headache that corresponds to nausea than usual
You feel like throwing up.
See lines or flashes of light.
There is also a blind spot or the blind spot when you see something.

How often do migraines occur during pregnancy?

As previously explained, if you have previously experienced migraine headaches, it is not something new when migraines occur when you are pregnant.

Moreover, the hormones when you are pregnant are easy to change. This includes triggers that cause migraines in pregnant women, such as:

Fatigue due to a lot of activity.
There is a decrease in blood sugar.
Physical stress on the body due to fatigue and emotional.
Nasal congestion and heat.

However, if you have a history of migraine headaches during menstruation, it is possible that migraines will rarely occur in the second and third trimesters. This is due to the possibility of estrogen withdrawal that occurs before menstruation so that estrogen levels during pregnancy are more consistent.

Migraines during pregnancy can feel better. However, the pain can also get worse after childbirth due to sudden hormonal changes.

What are the dangers of migraines that occur during pregnancy?

According to an ongoing study, untreated migraine in pregnant women can increase the risk of pregnancy complications such as:

Premature or early birth.
Preeclampsia.
Babies are born weighing less than they should be.

Migraines that occur while you are pregnant will be dangerous if other symptoms occur besides headaches. Immediately see your doctor if any of the following occurs:

Your migraine headache is accompanied by fever.
Migraines last more than a few hours or come back frequently.
You experience blurred vision for a long time.

Another thing you need to do is make a note about migraine headaches to find out what triggers and symptoms you usually have. This can also help doctors find out what really happened.

Some of the things you can write about are the specific areas when the pain occurs, such as what the pain is, as well as other symptoms such as vomiting, dizziness, or sensitivity to sound and light.

Then, also write down how long it took to experience migraines during pregnancy. Coupled with what foods you consumed before the migraine occurred. Do not forget to include what has been done to deal with pain.

How to deal with migraines in pregnant women

There are several treatments that can be done when migraines occur in pregnant women. However, this depends on the frequency and severity of the migraines you feel. Then, overcoming migraine headaches is also aimed at stopping symptoms and preventing future attacks.

Apply a cold compress to the head. Not only on the part of the head that hurts, you can also apply it to other areas such as the neck and eyes to relieve pain. Compress for 15 minutes and give it a break before you do it again.
When the first symptoms appear, rest in a quiet and dark room. Then, try to get plenty of sleep to relieve the throbbing pain.
Drink water to keep yourself well hydrated. It also aims to improve your blood circulation.
Avoid anything that can add to your mind and cause stress. It should be noted that stress is a common trigger for migraines during pregnancy or in pregnant women. Calm down by doing meditation.
Exercise regularly to treat migraines and prevent recurrence during pregnancy. Some of the sports that are safe for you are swimming, walking, cycling, and yoga. However, when a migraine comes, avoid exercise because it will make the pain worse.
Migraines in pregnant women can also be treated by taking drugs such as paracetamol. However, don't forget to consult your doctor first to avoid side effects.