Women's Health Journey

Pregnancy effect on migraine
It leads to reduction in frequency and severity of attacks of migraine without aura.

Aura
Aura involves fully reversible phenomenon of vision, sensation, motor power, balance and speech.
It could be flickering lights, spots, zigzag lines ( fortifications spectrum), tingling, numbness and visual holes Scotoma).
The symptoms evolve over more than 5 minutes and resolve within 60 minutes and may occur in succession.

Migraine
It is classically unilateral, pulsating, build up over minutes to hours, could be moderate to severe in intensity.
It can be associated with nausea, vomiting and/or sensitivity to light and/or sound disabling.
It can be aggravated by routine physical activity eg climbing stair.

Management
Simple measures

Avoidance of precipitating factors

Rest

Hydration

Regular meals

Relaxation

Medicines

Paracetamol

Anti-emetics
Anti- migraine preparation

May be needed

NSAIDs can be given in first and second trimester

Triptans, best reserved for severe migraine that is refractory to treatment.

Prophylaxis
Prophylaxis May be considered if woman is experiencing 3 to 4 headaches a month and especially when headaches are unresponsive to simple analgesia.