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A Major Pain

Migraine Headaches and Pregnancy

By Jennifer Lacey

iversity of Michigan Health System in Ann Arbor, Mich. Despite these two scenarios, medical experts agree that though the mom-to-be may be suffering, there are no dangers to her developing baby during a migraine attack.

For women trying to conceive, most specialists agree that they should discontinue medication wherever possible. Prescription migraine medications such as Imitrex, Zomig and Relpax and barbiturates taken during pregnancy (including the period of time before a pregnancy has been confirmed by a primary care physician) are dangerous to the developing newborn. These medications are known to cause birth defects, including retardation, malformations and possible stillbirth. However, painkillers such as acetaminophen (found in Tylenol) are widely considered to be safe to take during pregnancy for pain relief. A mom-to-be should always consult with her physician prior to taking any medication during pregnancy.

Non-medicinal migraine treatments may include the practice of several forms of relaxation techniques, including meditation or yoga. Some women find relief just by lying down in a darkened, quiet room.

Also make sure you are maintaining a regular eating schedule, as low blood sugar may bring on a migraine attack. A way to avoid this is by eating smaller, yet more frequent portions of food throughout the day. Up your fluid intake, advises Dr. Chames. "It is important for pregnant women to keep themselves hydrated [because a lack may bring on an episode]," he says.

Because fatigue is such a common side affect of pregnancy, make sure you get plenty of rest. "Listen to your body," says Dr. Raymond O. Powrie, an obstetric internist at Women and Infant's Hospital in Providence, Rhode Island. "A headache is a warning sign that you may be overdoing it. It's important for expectant women to make certain lifestyle adjustments [such as] learning to let go of things in order to get the proper rest."

If you have suffered from migraines prior to conceiving, it is highly recommended that you learn to understand exactly what triggers your attacks. Common triggers of migraine attacks include emotions such as stress, anxiety and anticipation; environment changes in light, weather and altitude; and foods such as red wine, aged cheese and chocolate. Try writing down your migraine attack triggers and experiences in the form of a journal. "This is really recommended so you can learn when an attack occurs, how often and what you were doing prior to an attack," says Dr. Powrie.

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• Talk about it!

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