Migraine with aura help please

[pregnantaura]

Has anyone experienced migraine with auras in pregnancy please?

I'm on my third pregnancy, and each time they kick off a little sooner. Currently 18 weeks and have had my 4th episode of this pregnancy today.

With my first pregnancy it didn't start happening as frequently until end of second trimester, with my second it was mid second, and this time it was end of first.

I find the vision changes quite debilitating, and I get such a bad headache after 50% of the time. I obviously knew this could potentially happen, but would love any experiences and advise that can help mitigate these. 🙏🏼

My GP / maternity care aren't concerned at all (or helpful) as there's no risk to baby.

I’m so sorry that in pregnancy. I haven’t experienced these in pregnant - yet (I’m 9.5 weeks) - but when I’ve had aura migraines before the most important thing for me is to get into a darkened room as soon as the vision changes begin, don’t look at any screens and take a painkiller. It massively reduces the severity and duration of the headache for me. I would speak to your GP to ask what a pregnancy safe painkiller is. Mine are caused by a sudden change in light intensity (looking at a bright parking screen trying to park on a dark day or a sudden opening of the curtains / turning on lights)

For me, it’s a painkiller and wait the aura out. I also find a dry textured crisp, like hula hoops/pringles and ready salted, plus a full sugar coke help avoid the pain afterward.

Discuss medication with your GP and ask to see a different GP at your surgery if yours is dismissive. I was prescribed Amitriptyline in both my pregnancies to take in the second trimester only, and my GP said that ibuprofen is safe then as well. I was getting about three a week ad each lasted at least a day, that was several days aweek where I felt too ill to eat and was losing weight. Push how you are struggling to do everyday tasks, including looking after the children you have.

I had repeated aura and vomiting during my labours too. The vomiting was fixed with anti sickness. Honestly, the aura during labour was manageable, odd but all part of the strange process! Ended immediately once the DC were born too.

And caffeine when I felt one starting helped a tiny bit, it works in the same way triptans do (cant remember if they are safe to take or not). I kept those cans of iced coffee in the fridge.

As Blarn said too, do return to GP. Triptans are brilliant for some people and absolute game changers.

Thank you all, I really appreciate it! I'll try the coke & salty crisp combo; I'd noticed salty food cravings straight after so I'll indulge in them next time.

And great to know about the medication options. I get a great illness package at work but I ideally would like to stay operational until the third trimester minimum. Feeling a little silly I didn't factor this in fully when planning baby #3 tbh, so this is helping me feel proactive about it.