Pregnancy is a life-changing event both to a woman and her partner. A woman with a pre-existing condition may put herself and the fetus at risk for complications once she becomes pregnant. Migraine, although not as severe as other life-threatening conditions, can place the pregnant woman and her fetus at risk with the medications she takes. A medication used in preventing migraines Topamax has been associated with development of hypospadias, a birth defect in males. It is a drug that is used in preventing migraine attacks as well as epilepsy but was later reclassified from Category C to Category D because of Topamax’s high association with birth anomalies. Pregnancy is a time at which a woman can be very stressed due to several physical changes and stress is a triggering factor for migraine.

When Will You Call Your Headache, Migraine Attack?

Prior to learning the ways on how to manage migraine, we first should be able to recognize migraine headache over stress or tension headache. Migraine is a vascular headache which is a result of the dilatation of the blood vessels in your brain. Usually, people with frequent migraines experience an aura before the attack which could be a dot, line or jagged flashes of light. This can also be accompanied with nausea and vomiting.

How Can I Manage Migraine?

The saying “An ounce of prevention is better than a pound of cure” holds true when talking about migraine. The best way for anyone to prevent migraine attacks from happening is to know what triggers them. Usually, stress and hormones are the factors greatly contributing to migraines. Studies have shown that women are likely to experience migraines than men because they tend to have more hormonal disruptions. In pregnancy, hormonal fluctuations happen frequently which is why pregnant women are more at risk to have the attacks. With that being said, it is advisable to keep a migraine diary so you’ll be aware of your triggers. On the onset of migraine, go to a room that is quiet and dim and take your rest or nap. A lot of people with migraine are sensitive to light and noise as it can worsen the attack. Relaxation techniques such as deep breathing and yoga are also helpful in dealing with migraine. Application of warm or cold compress on the sides of the head, eyes and at the back of the neck can help soothe the pain away. If the pain is beyond your threshold and the discomfort is intolerable, you can try and take some drugs. Before taking any medications, be sure to check with your doctor as some can put you and your baby at risk, like Topamax side effects [http://www.topamaxbirthdefectlaw.com/updates/hypospadias-a-topamax-birth-defect-that-may-be-corrected-through-surgery/]. In your next doctor appointment, it is advisable that you ask for a migraine medication from your physician to guarantee that it is safe for you and the fetus.