Migraine in pregnancy

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Does anyone else suffer with migraines in pregnancy?
I'm 10 weeks pregnant and getting loads at the moment, in the last 2 weeks I've had about 5, and obviously can't take anything stronger than paracetamol which doesn't touch it.
I've always suffered from them but not this much, does anyone have any tips for how to deal with them in pregnancy, or if this frequency is something to be worried about?

Hey @BumpLoading I'm only 5w5d and I seem to get migraines/ headaches most evenings. Like you, I suffered with them before pregnancy too. Im hoping they wear off after a few weeks (wishful thinking). I find that holding something cold or hot against my temple seems to give me some relief.

Hi Op, I suffer from migraines both before and whilst I am pregnant. I spoke to my GP about continuing my medication and was given the green light. There is no testing of the drug in pregnancy (obviously) but also no noted harms. My GP thought the benefits of the drug I take, outweighs the risks of continuing having numerous migraine attacks I was having. Additionally, My midwife said she knew several women who also take it so was satisfied it was safe. I’m pleased cos I don’t think I could function without them (and I had morning sickness until 16 weeks!)

You can take co-codamol safely in pregnancy (I tried this on prescription before going back to my original medication) so perhaps ask your GP what the best course of action.

I hope they pass for you soon!

Thats good to know you can take medication, perhaps a visit to my GP then to check what I would be allowed to take would definitely be worth it!
Also thanks for the tip of something cold or hot, I've got some of those sticky head strips that are cooling and they do all soothe it a tiny bit, maybe I'll experiment with a heat pack or ice block next time too!

I was told not to continue my medication as it was too risky to the babies and known to cause birth defects so it depends on your medication. Basically they said it's only pain, push through (they meant the medication is also used for epilepsy and in that case they sometimes continue to prescribe it because that unlike migraines can obviously kill you, they weren't just being unsympathetic. My neurologist is lovely 😊).
I ate something salty, something sweet and something caffeinated at the first sign, usually Diet Coke, crisps and sugary sweets. I also had HG which made the migraines worse as low blood sugar is a trigger for me.
Hot pack on neck, cold pack on head (those strips are good and I kept a pack in the freezer all the time), soak in the bath with lavender oil, use tens machine, lie in the dark and sleep it off. And just remember it's only temporary and keep drinking water x

I did for a while, they were awful. I was given cocodamol but told to only take it if I was desperate, I did once and it made zero difference. I wore sunglasses all the time, even inside and found this helped lots. They lasted about 5-6 weeks and then I wasn't too bad.

Definitely not worth taking anything if it risks birth defects then, I'd rather push through the pain and then if it gets too bad I'll book a doctors appointment and see what they say before I take anything.
Lots of helpful tips though thankyou!

I suffer from migraines and take sumatriptan for them, even while pregnant. I’d definitely speak to your GP though for guidance.

My migraines got better after 16 weeks in both my pregnancies. In my last one I didn’t have any from 12 weeks onwards.

This leaflet might be useful:

www.ouh.nhs.uk/patient-guide/leaflets/files/36096Pmigraine.pdf

Hi, I've been prescribed cocodomol and an anti sickness drug for my migraines. I am 9 weeks. I have had them prior to pregnancy also

A hot shower followed by suddenly turning the water on freezing cold. The shock can help disperse it. Wear 4Head stick all the time.
And get your blood sugars checked. My pregnancy migraines were a symptom of gestational diabetes.

I’m a migraine sufferer and they got so much worse in early pregnancy however they disappeared at 13 weeks and I haven’t had one since, currently 39+3. Fingers crossed the same happens for you. I’m not looking forward to them returning😫😫 this is my 3rd baby and the same has happened each time. I just used paracetamol, drank lots of water and went to bed if I got one

I had horrendous migraines with all four pregnancies but they stopped around 12 weeks

Yes. I always had migraines but they were almost constant for the first 12-14 weeks of pregnancy approximately (alongside hyperemesis). You could get prescribed codeine and paracetamol, in my case I couldn't keep them down.

The good news is that for me the migraines seemed in both pregnancies to coincide with the higher progesterone phase. From 12-14 weeks onwards I had hyperemesis but not a single migraine for the rest of the pregnancy. 3 days post birth, first migraines returned. Gah.

If you can afford it, you could get a Cefaly (TENS device for migraine). I've started using one and it's made quite a difference. AFAIK it's safe in pregnancy though obviously check that.

Hi. I don't suffer from migraines but since about 4 weeks have had a headache almost every evening. Infact headaches were one of my earliest symptoms. Certainly not migraines but bad enough to send me to bed. I'm 9w5d now and no sign of letting up yet.

Definitely speak to your GP as they may be able to give you something to ease them. Fingers crossed they pass by 12w!!