ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses the diagnosis and treatment of the major primary and secondary headaches during pregnancy. From headache to neuromuscular disease to stroke and movement disorders, neurologic disorders are common. In fact, pregnancy may have an effect on neurologic condition; in turn, neurologic disorders may have an effect on pregnancy or outcome of pregnancy. The coverage will include headache, multiple sclerosis, neuromuscular disorders, epilepsy, movement disorders, and stroke. Headache is perhaps the most common complaint in medicine and is a common complaint during pregnancy. Most headaches during pregnancy are due to primary headache disorders. Migraine headaches are usually a moderate or severe unilateral or bilateral throbbing or pulsating headache with associated increased sensitivity to light, noise, or physical movement and may be accompanied by nausea and vomiting. Migraine headaches affect up to 18% of women during their lifetime and are common during the childbearing years.
