In plain words
A migraine is a common type of headache. It often causes throbbing pain on one side of the head. Nausea, light sensitivity, and noise sensitivity are common too. Migraines can start, stop, or change in pregnancy and after birth. Many people notice their pattern shift with sleep, stress, or hormones, though triggers vary. A migraine is a diagnosis a clinician makes, and it is different from a headache with warning signs. A sudden, severe headache, vision changes, weakness, or confusion is a reason to call 911 or go to the emergency room now.
The deeper version
Migraine is a primary headache disorder defined in the International Classification of Headache Disorders, third edition (ICHD-3; Headache Classification Committee of the International Headache Society, 2018). Attacks last 4 to 72 hours and feature pulsating pain with nausea or photophobia and phonophobia, with or without aura. Migraine often changes with the hormonal shifts of pregnancy and the postpartum period. The perinatal period also concentrates secondary causes that are rare and time-critical, including hypertensive disorders, , , and . The main controversy is how to manage migraine acutely and preventively in pregnancy, since most medication data are observational and limited.
Where it comes up
- Headaches and migrainesPregnancy: Your Body
- Headaches after birthPostpartum: Your Body
- High blood pressure and preeclampsiaPregnancy: Your Body
What mothers here say about migraine
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Sources
- Headache Classification Committee of the International Headache Society — International Classification of Headache Disorders, 3rd edition (ICHD-3), Cephalalgia (2018)