Causes of severe headache after delivery

After birth, fluid loss, missed meals, disrupted sleep, muscle tension, and emotional strain can trigger headache. A blocked or runny nose from allergic rhinitis, a common cold, or chronic sinusitis can add facial pressure. Fever or body aches may point towards an infection such as COVID-19; heavy sweating, vomiting, or poor intake can contribute to dehydration or heat exhaustion. Dengue fever is another possibility in the right exposure and symptom setting.

A headache after an epidural or spinal anaesthetic may worsen when sitting or standing and ease when lying down. Headache with high blood pressure after delivery can be related to postpartum pre-eclampsia, which may develop even after pregnancy. The pattern, onset, associated symptoms, blood pressure, and recent anaesthetic history guide assessment.

Contact your maternity team or a clinician promptly for a severe, new, persistent, or changing headache. Mention when it began, whether posture changes it, your delivery and anaesthetic history, fluid intake, temperature, and any blood-pressure reading. Rest in a cool, quiet place and take fluids if you can, but do not use these measures to delay assessment. Use only pain relief that your clinician has said is suitable after delivery, especially if breastfeeding or taking other medicines.

Get emergency help for a sudden explosive headache, vision changes, confusion, seizure, weakness, trouble speaking, fainting, severe breathlessness, chest pain, fever with a stiff neck, or repeated vomiting. Also seek urgent assessment for a severe headache with high blood pressure, upper abdominal pain, or swelling. These features can indicate a neurological, blood-pressure, or infectious emergency.

Ask whether your blood pressure, neurological examination, temperature, or recent epidural changes the urgency. Ask which pain medicines are suitable while breastfeeding, whether you need tests, and which warning symptoms should send you directly to emergency care.