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Among headache preventive medications, beta-blockers have the best track record for a combination of effectiveness and safety in pregnant women. Propranolol (Inderal) is considered the best first-choice prevention drug during pregnancy for most women. Even though it is considered relatively safe, some problems have been noticed with women using blood pressure medications during pregnancy. Beta-blockers, such as propranolol, can increase the baby's risk of having low blood sugar, slow heart rate, low blood pressure, or slowed breathing at birth. Ideally, beta-blockers should be tapered within the last few weeks of pregnancy (starting around week 36) to minimize effects on labor and the newborn baby. Early use of another beta-blocking medication, atenolol (Tenormin) at conception or during the first trimester has been linked to low birth weight.

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The Woman's Migraine Toolkit: Managing Your Headaches from Puberty to Menopause (A DiaMedica Guide to Optimum Wellness)
Migraines are a common, controllable type of headache that affects one in every six women, more than 20 million in the United States alone. The Woman’s Migraine Toolkit helps readers take charge of...
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Important: This content reflects information from various individuals and organizations and may offer alternative or opposing points of view. It should not be used for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. As always, you should consult with your healthcare provider about your specific health needs.