Posted 7/25/2017 5:00 PM (GMT 0)
Hello!
I am exactly 1 month from my pregnancy due date! While I am excited, my headaches are progressively getting worse. I suffer from daily chronic headaches with migraines. I am currently only on Benadryl shots, oral magnesium, magnesium shots (which I need to fill) and Percocet for the really bad days. (I have to admit that the Percocet doesn’t help too much). As I have gotten closer to my due date, my headaches are progressively getting worse. I was to the point where I was crying at my neurologist office last week and he offered the ER to me (something he only would do in an emergency). My threshold pain level has risen from around 4-5 to 6-7 every day.
After 10 years, I have my own coping mechanisms to help me with dealing with the pain. However, I am really afraid that my headaches are going to go completely out of control when in labor/giving birth. If this trend continues, then I know what I’m in for when labor does occur. The additional stress on my body, including more pain, lack of sleep, etc is going to escalate the headaches to the point of no return. I am trying to make a plan with my doctors to help me deal with the pain, but the last one I saw I feel didn’t take me seriously. It was the first time I saw her at the practice and I did not feel reassured by anything she said. I did take a birthing class where it said that I could get narcotics during labor, but this doctor doesn’t want to prescribe them. I understand why, but I also feel like my situation is different than most peoples. Understanding the risks, I wouldn’t ask for them unless I truly needed them. I handle pain very well after all these years. Additionally, she also kept saying that my headaches might not get that bad and her sister-in-law has something similar to me. (Trust me, I did not feel reassured). Then she said that I could move to an emergency C-section if my headaches get that bad. (I really felt dismissed, but I plan on talking with the other doctors the next time I see them). However, she doesn’t know my difficult history that I have suffered through over a decade and I am not sure how to proceed with her. I am hoping that she is not going to be my doctor when I give birth, but I don’t have much of a choice when it comes to that.
Does anyone have any words of wisdom or advice on dealing with my doctor or the very real potential of an out-of-control migraine during labor? I completely understand that labor is not easy, and I am prepared for that. However, I could really use some reassurance or advice on dealing with the HEADACHE.
I appreciate your help and “listening” to me rant.
Take care, and wishing you all pain free days.
Peace.
Michelle