When to worry about severe headache in pregnancy with pre-eclampsia

Pre-eclampsia can affect blood vessels and organs during pregnancy. A severe headache that does not settle may indicate that the condition needs urgent review, especially when it comes with flashing lights, blurred vision, pain beneath the ribs, nausea, vomiting, or sudden swelling.

Do not assume the headache is a usual pregnancy symptom or simply a migraine. Clinicians may check blood pressure, urine, blood tests, reflexes, symptoms, and fetal wellbeing to decide how urgently treatment and observation are needed.

Call your maternity unit or emergency service immediately and say that you have pre-eclampsia with a severe headache. Give the time it started, whether it is worsening, any blood pressure reading, and any changes in vision or fetal movement. Do not drive if you feel faint, confused, or visually impaired, and do not delay care while trying additional home remedies.

Call emergency services for a seizure, collapse, confusion, one-sided weakness, difficulty speaking, severe breathlessness, chest pain, or loss of vision. Go for immediate assessment for a severe persistent headache, even without bleeding. Reduced or absent fetal movement, upper abdominal pain, or repeated vomiting makes urgent review especially important.

Ask how your blood pressure and blood tests will be monitored, which symptoms mean you should return immediately, which medicines are safe for you, how the baby will be assessed, and whom to contact at any hour.