Wunderlich

In the first trimester, studies have shown that migraines in pregnancy are more likely to improve. The circulating estrogen and progesterone levels are believed to be responsible for this improvement. However, the migraine attacks usually return after the pregnancy and while women are having their menstruation period again.

The only danger that pregnant women with migraines have to worry about is when the headache they experience is a symptom of something else. A healthcare provider must be consulted when the headache is accompanied with fever because it may signal infection, when the headache attack persists for more than few hours or it frequently returns, and when blurred vision is experienced. It is always necessary to let the healthcare provider know when the headache attacks are experienced and give all the details about the attack however insignificant.

Migraines in pregnancy can be treated through proper personal identification of the cause of the headache attack and avoidance of those triggers. The common triggers of migraines are stress, chocolate, cheese, drinking red wine, weather, hormones, and too little or too much sleep. The cause of migraine in pregnancy is different for each individual. It is advised that they keep a headache diary in order to keep track and identify the cause for an attack.

Many healthcare providers prescribe acetaminophen as pain reliever for migraine in pregnancy. However, women must always take precaution prior to taking any drug treatments. A health care provider must be consulted first because a pregnant woman should not take any drugs containing aspirin unless it has been prescribed.

Most of the drugs are dangerous to the fetus during the first trimester in pregnancy, where the development takes place. Any prophylactic treatment must also be discontinued if the woman is trying to become pregnant. A common herb used in the treatment of migraine called feverfew, must also be stopped during pregnancy for it has the potential to cause miscarriage.

Women who have migraines in pregnancy must be assured that the attacks are more likely to improve in the second and third trimesters though the attacks seems to be at their worst in the early stages of the pregnancy. Pregnant women also needs to be advised about the safety of the fetus if they unknowingly taken a medication before they discovered they are pregnant.

For the safety of the fetus, women with migraines in pregnancy may also avert to non pharmacologic treatment such as light exercise, cold therapy, trigger avoidance, biofeedback and massage and relaxation therapy. Having sufficient sleep and rest is also beneficial in the treatment of migraine. An increase in fluid intake is also helpful if nausea and vomiting is experienced in the first trimester of pregnancy. Complementary therapies may also be used as an alternative during migraine in pregnancy. These therapies may include acupuncture, yoga and reflexology. All of which have been found to have no effects in pregnant women with migraines. However, some women find it helpful for them to avert in therapies such as these during their pregnancy.

Find out more about migraine prevention at John Rodgers site at http://migraine-treatment.info