Headache and pre-eclampsia after delivery

After delivery, headache can follow tiredness, dehydration, tension, migraine, or a spinal or epidural procedure. It can also occur when blood pressure related to pre-eclampsia remains high or rises again. Do not assume that delivery has removed the risk. Tell the care team about visual symptoms, upper abdominal pain, nausea, breathlessness, swelling, confusion, reduced urine, or pain that is worse when upright after an epidural or spinal.

Call your maternity unit or urgent medical service for advice and arrange a blood-pressure check. Continue prescribed medicine as directed, keep your discharge information nearby, and ask another adult to stay with you if you feel unwell. Do not wait for a routine postnatal visit when the headache is significant. Antenatal care records and birth details can help the team review your pregnancy; previous induction or caesarean details may also matter to follow-up.

Seek emergency care for a sudden severe headache, vision loss, seizure, confusion, weakness, chest pain, severe breathlessness, fainting, or severe pain beneath the ribs. Get urgent review if the headache does not improve with advised treatment, returns, or occurs with high blood pressure. Seek prompt assessment for fever, a stiff neck, or a headache after spinal anaesthesia that is markedly worse when sitting or standing.

Ask how long to monitor blood pressure, which readings or symptoms require emergency care, how prescribed medicines fit with breastfeeding, and whether your headache could relate to anaesthesia, infection, or pre-eclampsia. Confirm who to contact overnight.