Headache after a C-section

After a caesarean birth, sleep loss, missed meals, dehydration, muscle tension, or changing hormone levels can contribute to headache. A headache that becomes worse when sitting or standing and improves when lying flat can occur after spinal or epidural anaesthesia; tell the maternity or anaesthetic team about this pattern.

Headache can also be a warning sign of high blood pressure after birth, including [Pre-eclampsia](/conditions/pre-eclampsia/). The timing of the pain, its severity, vision changes, blood-pressure readings, and other symptoms help clinicians decide how urgently to assess you.

Tell your maternity team about any new headache, particularly if you had spinal or epidural anaesthesia. Rest, drink fluids, eat if able, and use only pain relief approved for you and compatible with feeding plans. Check your blood pressure if you have been given a monitor and report a high reading to your care team.

Keep a note of when the headache began, what position changes it, and whether medicine helps. Recovery support such as [Postnatal Physiotherapy](/treatments/pelvic-floor-and-rehabilitation/postnatal-physiotherapy/) may help general muscle tension, but it is not a substitute for assessment of a new severe headache.

Seek urgent medical help for a severe or rapidly worsening headache, vision changes, confusion, weakness, trouble speaking, chest pain, shortness of breath, seizures, fever, or marked swelling. Contact your maternity team promptly for a headache that does not improve, is worse upright after anaesthesia, or occurs with high blood pressure. Do not wait for a routine postnatal visit.

Ask: Could this relate to my anaesthetic or blood pressure? What reading should prompt a call? Which pain medicines are suitable while feeding? Do I need an anaesthetic review or further tests?