Persistent headache in pregnancy: what should you know?

Pregnancy may bring changes in sleep, fluids, meals, hormones, vision, and caffeine intake, all of which can contribute to headache. A persistent headache can also occur with migraine or tension, but pregnancy-related high blood pressure disorders must be considered, especially when pain is severe or comes with visual symptoms, swelling, upper abdominal pain, or feeling unwell. Headache location does not diagnose cancer. A clinician can check blood pressure, urine, neurological signs, and other causes; brain imaging may be considered when symptoms point to a neurological problem. Information about [Brain Tumour](/conditions/brain-tumour/) can provide context, but a headache alone is not proof of one.

Contact your maternity team or doctor for advice rather than waiting for the headache to pass. Note its start, duration, location, severity, vision changes, swelling, medicines, fluid intake, and blood pressure readings if you have been told to measure them. Rest, eat regular meals, drink fluids, and reduce bright light if these measures help. Do not start, stop, or increase a pain medicine, supplement, or migraine treatment without checking that it is appropriate in pregnancy.

Seek urgent maternity or emergency care for a sudden severe headache, blurred or lost vision, flashing lights, confusion, weakness, difficulty speaking, seizure, fainting, fever with a stiff neck, repeated vomiting, chest or upper abdominal pain, or sudden swelling of the face or hands. If you have a history of cancer, mention it to the team; cancer can sometimes spread to the brain, known as [Brain Metastases](/conditions/brain-metastases/), and neurological symptoms need prompt evaluation.

Ask: Could my blood pressure or urine need checking? Which headache treatments are suitable at this stage of pregnancy? What changes in vision or movement require emergency care? Do my symptoms call for neurological assessment or imaging?