Blog Post

Preliminary Study Links Migraines and Pregnancy Complications

Jeffrey Haddad D.D.S. • Mar 04, 2020

New research suggests that women with severe migraines may be much more likely to experience complications during pregnancy and childbirth. Although the study couldn’t link migraines or their treatment to the complications explicitly, it does remind us that alternate treatments for migraine might be good during pregnancy. TMJ treatment is a drug-free approach that can reduce or eliminate migraines. Since many women develop TMJ during pregnancy, this might be an ideal time for women to determine if they will benefit from treating their TMJ.

Mother holding her new born baby

Complications for Mother and Child

This study looked at a small sample of women (90) who sought emergency care for migraines during pregnancy. It found that these women had much higher rates of pregnancy complications than the general public.

For example, 20% of the migraineurs had preeclampsia, compared to about 8% in the general population. Women with preeclampsia experience dangerously high blood pressure, swelling in hands and feet, and protein in their urine, evidence of kidney damage.

About 30% of women with migraines had a preterm birth, compared to only about 10% of the general population. And 19% of women delivered a low-birth weight baby, compared to just 8% in the general population.

Women with migraines who were also aged 35 and over had a much higher risk of complications than others: about seven times more likely to experience complications.

What Is the Cause?

Researchers pointed out that they couldn’t attribute the pregnancy complications as being caused by the severe migraines, so we have to be careful thinking that migraines cause pregnancy and birth complications. It may be that, in some cases, at least, the migraines are actually caused by the complication. The high blood pressure associated with preeclampsia, for example, could contribute to migraines, which are neurovascular headaches.

Most of the women in this study (62%) received a combination of pills and intravenous drugs to treat their migraines. Again, though, researchers pointed out that their study didn’t allow them to attribute a causal role to the drugs, although many drugs are associated with pregnancy complications.

TMJ and Pregnancy

Many women experience TMJ during pregnancy. Some common causes of TMJ during pregnancy include:

  • Stress-related clenching and grinding
  • Sleep disruption
  • Morning sickness
  • Swelling
  • Posture changes
  • Relaxin

Some women start clenching and grinding their jaw because of the stress of pregnancy. Sleep disruption can also contribute to clenching and grinding. Morning sickness can also cause significant stress on the jaw joint. Others experience pressure on the jaw joints related to swelling during pregnancy. Still others may find that postural changes related to pregnancy can impact their jaw joints. Finally, the hormone relaxin helps the body's joints loosen to make delivery easier. However, it can also disrupt the function of other joints, including the jaw. 


Sometimes TMJ was an intermittent annoyance before pregnancy, then worsened, but other women develop TMJ with no previous history.

Treating TMJ During Pregnancy

No matter what the cause of pregnancy-related TMJ, it is possible to get treatment without drugs. You can start with home care. Apply ice to sore joints. Ice works better for joints because joint pain is often related to inflammation, and heat can make inflammation worse. Apply heat to sore jaw muscles. Heat helps them relax. Some studies show that chocolate might also be effective for TMJ relief. Since chocolate has also been linked to happy babies, this seems like a harmless home remedy to try--just don't overdo it!


If home care isn't helping and your TMJ is disruptive or persists for more than a week, you should see a professional for care. We offer several drug-free TMJ treatments that can be effective during pregnancy. One is TENS (transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation), a kind of mild electric massager. This is safe during pregnancy--it's often used to help with back pain--and can provide immediate, short-term relief from sore jaw muscles. TMJ treatment can also involve an orthotic that can hold your jaw in a more relaxed position. After your pregnancy, we can evaluate the state of your TMJ and determine whether ongoing or alternate treatment is necessary.

If you are experiencing TMJ symptoms such as migraine, jaw pain , or tinnitus during pregnancy, we might be able to help. Please call (248) 243-7711 for an appointment with a Detroit TMJ dentist at the Michigan Center for TMJ & Sleep Wellness.

By Dr. Jeffrey Haddad D.D.S. 06 Aug, 2020
For many people, TMJ is a transitory condition, one that doesn’t require professional treatment. For these people, TMJ is often related to stress. In these cases, managing stress can help get TMJ under control. Here are some basic stress management techniques that may be able to help you if you think stress is causing or [...]
By Dr. Jeffrey Haddad D.D.S. 14 Jul, 2020
Stroke is one of the deadliest complications of sleep apnea . People with sleep apnea are more likely to experience a stroke, but the risks don’t actually end there. Actually, in some ways, the risks go up for people with sleep apnea after their first stroke. That’s because even if they survive their first stroke, sleep apnea can increase their risk of additional strokes. And, according to a new study, sleep apnea can also increase a person’s risk for another complication: post-stroke depression. Doctors need to increase screening for sleep apnea in people at high stroke risk. However, they also need to make sure that all people are screened for sleep apnea following a stroke. Treating sleep apnea at this time can improve a person’s chance of recovery.
By Dr. Jeffrey Haddad D.D.S. 01 Jul, 2020
One of the major problems with snoring is that it is a problem not just for the snorer, but for everyone who sleeps around them. If you are a snorer, you’ve probably experienced your spouse’s complaints about the loud, disturbing noises you make all night. But maybe you haven’t acted on those complaints yet. Guess [...]
By Dr. Jeffery Haddad 16 Jun, 2020
We all know that it’s important to get enough sleep. But how much sleep is that, exactly? Fortunately, there are several recommendations for the amount of sleep people need. Following these recommendations can help you get the right amount of sleep. Here’s a guide to getting the right amount of sleep at any age.
By Dr. Jeffery Haddad 02 Jun, 2020
TMJ is associated with many symptoms, but the most common are and caused by overworked and spasming jaw muscles. But not everyone is equally susceptible to these symptoms, because we have different types of muscles in our jaws, and these muscles work and fatigue differently.
mature man relaxing at home on the couch while smiling
By Jeffery Haddad 19 May, 2020
One of the biggest problems with sleep apnea is that it is so underdiagnosed. Perhaps 80% of people with the condition don’t know they have it. If they don’t know they have it, they can’t get it treated, and instead continue to suffer all the serious health effects of the condition. Often, they don’t know they have sleep apnea until a major complication, such as a car accident or heart attack, leads them or their doctor to start asking the right questions.
Man stressed at work
By Dr. Jeffrey Haddad D.D.S. 14 Apr, 2020
In the face of the widespread illness and economic fallout related to the novel coronavirus pandemic, people often feel they need to put aside other concerns.
By Dr. Jeffrey Haddad D.D.S. 02 Apr, 2020
Inflammation is a sign of a body in stress. It is part of the body’s healing response to injury, and it occurs in response to infection. It also occurs when the body is experiencing stress related to hypopnea episodes during . We know that people with sleep apnea experience high levels of inflammation. It’s [...]
young female doctor stressing over a patient's chart
By Jeffrey Haddad D.D.S. 19 Mar, 2020
As one of the leading sleep dentistry practices in Michigan, sleep physicians often recommend their patients to us. Here’s why we are one of the most sought-after sleep dentists by sleep physicians.
By Jeffrey Haddad D.D.S. 20 Feb, 2020
As a U of M alum, Dr. Jeffrey S. Haddad still follows the teams of his alma mater. And while he is more apt to cheer for the Wolverines on the gridiron, he does love to watch some basketball, as well, especially around tourney time. And while Michigan probably isn’t going to make it into the Big Dance this year, they’ve at least discovered one thing that might have been holding them back: sleep apnea . Michigan player Brandon Johns was recently diagnosed with sleep apnea, and since he’s started treatment, his quality of play has improved dramatically. If this continues, he could be a real force and help to energize next year’s team for an appearance in the tournament. As a sophomore, he has a long time to mature, and with this major obstacle overcome, he will be able to achieve his full measure of greatness.
Show More
Share by: