Throbbing headache during pregnancy

Hormonal change, tiredness, missed meals, dehydration, stress, caffeine change, heat, or poor posture can contribute to headache. Allergic Rhinitis, a Common Cold, COVID-19, or sinus symptoms may add facial pressure. A headache can also be associated with high blood pressure or pre-eclampsia, particularly later in pregnancy; this cannot be judged by pain quality alone. Tell your maternity team about a new pattern rather than assuming it is routine.

Rest in a cool, quiet room, drink fluids, eat a small regular meal, and reduce screen glare. Keep a record of timing, severity, blood-pressure readings if provided, visual symptoms, swelling, upper abdominal pain, fever, and medicines. Check every medicine, including supplements and herbal products, with your maternity clinician or pharmacist before taking it. Do not stop prescribed treatment without advice.

Seek urgent maternity or emergency care for severe or sudden headache, visual disturbance, confusion, weakness, seizure, fainting, fever with a stiff neck, chest pain, shortness of breath, marked swelling, or pain beneath the ribs. Contact your maternity team promptly for a headache that persists, returns, or does not improve with advised measures. Reduced fetal movement should be reported through the maternity service without delay.

Ask whether your blood pressure and urine need checking, which pain-relief option is suitable at your stage of pregnancy, and which symptoms should send you to emergency care. Share your pregnancy stage, medical history, readings, and full medicine list.