Chronic Migraine, Resources, Treatment

Migraine & Pregnancy: 5 Must-Read Articles

Most pregnant women want to avoid all medications during pregnancy, but that’s not always practical with a health issue like migraine. Doing so can lead to other problems, like severe weight loss, that could be even more dangerous than taking certain medications. These must-read articles answer questions about migraine during pregnancy and breastfeeding, which medications are safe, weighing your migraine management options and more.

Migraine and Pregnancy
A brief overview migraine and pregnancy, this article from Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston starts with advice for women considering becoming pregnant and answers common questions about migraine during pregnancy and while breastfeeding.

You Are Pregnant (or Planning to Have a Baby)
Is your migraine frequency or severity likely to change during pregnancy? Can having migraine attacks while pregnant harm your baby? The National Headache Foundation shares statistics and answers questions.

What To Expect With Pregnancy and Delivery
This excerpt from The Woman’s Migraine Toolkit provides detailed and easy-to-understand explanation how hormones during pregnancy and after delivery can impact migraine. (Diana Lee of Somebody Heal Me, who is expecting a baby in July, recommends this book.)

Expert Answer: How can I manage my migraines during pregnancy?
A headache specialist talks about the importance of creating a migraine treatment plan for use while pregnant, which medications are safe to use during pregnancy and what alternative treatments a pregnant woman can consider trying.

A Migraine Mama’s Advice on Balancing Medication Usage During Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
A chronic migraineur reconsidered her resolve to avoid all migraine medications during pregnancy after her migraines spiraled out of control and she lost 15 pounds before her first OB appointment. She describes the emotional wrangling of finding the balance between getting the treatment she needed without endangering the pregnancy.

And remember, your particular situation may be different than those addressed in any of these articles. Work with your doctors to find the safest, most effective treatment approach for you. Having migraine attacks while pregnant isn’t harmful, but they are a physically stressful event. Your body is already stressed enough with the changes of pregnancy, so it’s extra important to take good care of yourself and treat your migraines appropriately.