Early in my pregnancy, I was warned that headaches are a common symptom went through by expecting mothers as a adverse effect of hormone fluctuations. This news actually worried me. Significant headaches have actually constantly been portion of my life, having been diagnosed along with migraine headaches at The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia as soon as I was 7 years old, however I feared the pain would certainly get hold of worse throughout a time as soon as my physique was going through a great deal of changes.
My life for good stops as soon as I have actually a migraine. Bedridden, side to light and sound, nauseous and sick along with impaired vision … at my worst, I have actually much more compared to a dozen migraines a month. I’m affected by modifications in the weather and barometric pressure, by dehydration, by pressure and not obtaining enough sleep. After attempting several various prescriptions for prevention and treatment, I was provided Maxalt by a neurologist at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston simply prior to I turned 30. I was skeptical concerning attempting Maxalt since no medication had worked before, however it proved to be life-changing for me.
As soon as I discovered I was expecting, my doctor said I couldn’t take Maxalt while pregnant, and the only pain reliever I need to take is acetaminophen. So I returned to the strategy I’ve employed for most of my life as soon as battling a migraine: hot showers, long stints in bed in a dark room, cool compresses over my eyes and relaxation techniques I learned through biofeedback. Basically, I simply ride it out until the migraine subsides. So far throughout my pregnancy, my migraines have actually held stable at one every various other week or so, sometimes lasting for a couple of days. I’ve had a couple of actually inadequate ones, however that’s typical for me in the spring as soon as the weather is changing.
I assumed I simply had to preserve soldiering through my pregnancy migraines until I talked to my obstetrician concerning it again. She told me that I could take Fioricet, which simply so happens to be the medication I was prescribed as soon as initially diagnosed at CHOP. I was grateful to understand I had a safety net to turn to however decided I would certainly take the prescription sparingly, if ever. My doctor assured me that it is safe for pregnant women, however I’m a rather neurotic first-time expecting mother and I found some mixed write-up concerning it online. I filled the script in case of emergency, however I likewise discussed alternative treatments along with my OB/GYN.
At 26 weeks pregnant, Katie Gagnon is attempting her finest to fend off debilitating migraines.
Acupuncture has previously worked wonders for my migraines, and at my mom’s encouragement, I’ve returned to it throughout my pregnancy. In my 20s, I started seeing Sharon Sherman of Empirical Point Acupuncture in Philadelphia since my headaches were so debilitating and were actually interfering along with my life. Sharon was the initial individual to guidance along with the frequency and severity of my headaches. After clearing acupuncture through my obstetrician, I commenced bimonthly appointments in my second trimester. Not only has actually acupuncture helped again along with my migraines, it likewise promotes overall wellness, balancing the two my bodily and mental healthiness throughout pregnancy.
I likewise turn to doTERRA PastTense Tension Blend necessary oil as soon as I am dealing along with a migraine, which I cleared along with my doctor prior to using it. My sister Colleen sent it to me after it was recommended to her as a holistic tool for assisting along with headaches. Meditation is something I employ as soon as I’m battling a migraine, and the smell of PastTense assists along with calming and centering me as soon as I’m in a great deal of pain. At the onset of a migraine, I apply it to my temples and the spine of my neck. The aromatherapy is enhanced by its cooling sensation.
My migraines have actually been a portion of my life for as long as I can easily remember. It’s taken some time, however I’ve created a rather good strategy for battling headaches provided my brand-new circumstances. If you have actually migraines, or are dealing along with headaches throughout your pregnancy, I recommend you talk to your doctor concerning Western treatments and Eastern replacements that might guidance ease your pain. And I’d adore to hear your thoughts and hints concerning exactly how various other expecting mothers are handling their pregnancy headaches, too.
