Terrible headache in early pregnancy: what to know

Early pregnancy may bring hormonal shifts, tiredness, nausea, reduced food intake and changes in caffeine use, all of which can provoke headache. Nasal blockage from allergic rhinitis, a common cold or sinus inflammation may create pressure around the face. Dehydration can follow vomiting or difficulty drinking. Migraine may cause throbbing pain, nausea, light sensitivity or an aura. A severe new headache still needs clinical judgement because infection, blood pressure problems and other conditions can require treatment.

Move to a cool, quiet space, rest your eyes and take frequent small sips of fluid. Try a light snack if nausea allows, and avoid overheating. Keep a brief symptom record, including vomiting, fever, visual disturbance, neck stiffness and medicines already taken. Ask a clinician or pharmacist before using any pain medicine, herbal product or decongestant, since pregnancy changes what is suitable.

Get urgent medical help for an abrupt worst-ever headache, confusion, collapse, seizure, weakness, numbness, speech difficulty, severe visual symptoms, fever with a stiff neck, repeated vomiting or trouble breathing. Arrange prompt review when a headache is persistent, worsening, unusually strong for you, or accompanied by marked dizziness, inability to drink or a high blood pressure reading.

Ask how your blood pressure should be monitored, whether dehydration or migraine is likely, which medicines are acceptable at this stage, and whether vomiting or infection needs treatment. Bring your symptom record.