Which lifestyle choices and supplements for migraine are safe during pregnancy?
Description
Both magnesium and vitamin B2 for migraine prevention are safe during pregnancy, and exercise, hydration and quality sleep are highly recommended.
Transcript
“OB’s are OK with both magnesium, and B2, which is riboflavin, during pregnancy. There's been some recent concern about doing IV magnesium more than maybe five days in a row. But for the woman wanting to prevent migraines during pregnancy, B2 and magnesium, both about 400 mg a day, are OK.
“I think exercise is huge for all women, whether they're pregnant or not. It's such a good way to reduce stress. I think it helps oxygenation of blood flow. And I know for me personally, it makes a huge difference in my migraines. So whenever I have my patients come back, whether they're pregnant or not, I always ask them about exercise. I ask them about diet. In particular, are they getting enough protein in their diet? I ask about hydration: Are they drinking enough water? I also ask about things like alcohol consumption, caffeine, and I want to know about sleep. And not just amount of sleep, but quality of sleep. So those kind of lifestyle questions I think are huge.”
Discussion
Women with migraine disease can safely take magnesium and vitamin B2 during pregnancy for migraine prevention. Lifestyle choices, such as exercise, quality sleep, and adequate hydration, all are highly encouraged both during and after pregnancy, as well.
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Susan Hutchinson, MD
Author - The Women's Guide to Managing Migraine
Orange County Migraine & Headache Center
Dr. Susan Hutchinson is a headache specialist and board-certified family practice physician. In February 2007, she founded Orange County Migraine & Headache Center, dedicated to serving patients with headache and mood disorders. Although she is not a psychiatrist, she has developed a special interest in treating mood disorders as well as headache. The mood disorders she treats include depression; anxiety; bipolar disorder; ADHD; and panic attacks. Dr. Hutchinson suffers from migraine headaches which gives her an empathy with her patients.
She felt such a calling to help patients with headache and mood disorders that she decided to specialize and devote her career to alleviating the suffering caused by both headaches and mood disorders. She lectures nationally on the subject of headache; has written dozens of articles for medical journals; participated in headache research projects and is very active in numerous professional organizations such as the American Headache Society and the National Headache Foundation.
She is the immediate post-chair of the Women’s Issues section of the American Headache Society after serving in the chair position for 5 years. Dr. Hutchinson is a dynamic and sought-after speaker. She speaks for community groups as well as professional groups. In 2010 she became the President of The Orange County Chapter of the California Academy of Family Physicians.