Manage Migraines Before and After Delivery: Prescription migraine medications are usually not safe for pregnancy; expectant chronic migraine sufferers are advised to experiment with safe, natural methods for managing migraines.
Which medications are okay to take during pregnancy?
The first trimester of a pregnancy can be an emotional time period; aside from the excitement, hope or anxiety you might feel, you will also experience the effects of dramatic hormonal changes that occur throughout your body. If you suffer from migraines, then you’re likely to see an increase in migraines during pregnancy, as hormonal fluctuations often trigger migraine attacks. Wine, Cheese, Perfume, and other Headache Triggers
During your pregnancy, your OB/GYN will advise against using any conventional medications for migraine headache relief, including prescription migraine treatments. In order to avoid life-threatening complications, you may have to put aside migraine medications and seek natural methods for managing migraines.
Topamax Causes Birth Defects, Says FDA
1) Homeopathy
Homeopathic concoctions such as Belladonna help to alleviate migraine head pain gently and naturally. As with any medication, please consult your doctor before using homeopathic treatments.
2) Biofeedback
Biofeedback is effective for relieving stress-related illnesses, including migraines, anxiety, hypertension and asthma. Biofeedback training involves using electrical sensors to monitor heart rate, temperature and nervous tension. Patients learn to utilize “feedback” to train their bodies how to respond to various stimuli in a healthier manner.
3) Acupuncture
Acupuncture is a safe, practical medical treatment that utilizes the body’s own endorphins to relieve pain, nausea, anxiety and depression, in addition to countless other ailments. Practitioners of ancient Chinese medicine must be board-certified, so insist on seeing accreditation before succumbing to treatment.
4) Natural ingredients for migraines
Several natural dietary supplements do double-duty of supplying migraine sufferers with optimum health benefits while also promoting a safe pregnancy and birth. Government research links riboflavin and magnesium with significant neurological results. Again, ask your OB/GYN before starting any new vitamin regimen.
Migraines: Why Riboflavin is Key
5) Prepare for the postpartum period
After the first trimester, you’ll likely notice a decrease in migraine pain symptoms for the rest of your pregnancy, as your body adjusts to hormone levels and settles in for the long haul. Enjoy the vacation from migraines, but prepare yourself for the postpartum period. Once your baby is born, you will once again go through a series of hormonal imbalances as estrogen levels plummet, and with that, a resurgence of migraine attacks. Postpartum changes often trigger “baby blues,” a softened term for postpartum depression. If you experience depression that lasts more than a few weeks, please visit a therapist. There are several antidepressants which some doctors prescribe for postpartum and while nursing.
6) Breastfeed
Approximately 94% of migraine patients experience increased headache symptoms following childbirth. However, studies have proven that breastfeeding normalizes the hormonal after-effects of child labor and significantly reduces your chances of suffering from migraines. Keep in mind that if you do decide to nurse your baby, then you will not have the option of continuing with your pre-pregnancy prescription migraine medications.
Read more about managing migraines:
Top 20 Websites for Migraine Headache Patients
10 Clues your should Include in your Headache Diary Today
Migraines Caused by Eye Strain? Tinted Glasses can Help
Sources:
http://www.netplaces.com/migraines/women-and-migraines/migraines-during-pregnancy.htm
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15257686
http://www.babycenter.com/0_riboflavin-in-your-pregnancy-diet_672.bc
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/releases/78353.php
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/biofeedback/MY01072
http://www.umm.edu/altmed/articles/sinus-headache-000073.htm
Tags: acupuncture pregnancy, alternative migraine treatments, breastfeeding migraines, chronic migraines, headache relief, magnesium pregnancy, migraine headache relief, migraine headaches, migraine treatments pregnancy, natural migraine treatments, pregnant pain medicine, prenatal migraines, prenatal vitamins, riboflavin pregnancy, vitamins pregnancy
