Headaches after you have had your baby
Headaches are a common complaint and the majority of them are mild and self-limiting.
However, there are some serious causes of headaches that need to be recognised and treated promptly.
Headaches due to tiredness and stress are common in the postnatal period and these can be managed with simple pain killers (paracetamol and ibuprofen), rest and avoiding dehydration by drinking to thirst.
Severe headache:
- always there and so bad it's hard to think or talk
- you can't sleep
- makes daily life difficult to manage
Moderate headache:
- always there
- makes it hard to concentrate
- you can manage to get up, wash or dress
Mild headache:
- comes and goes
- you can manage to sleep
- is annoying but doesn't stop you doing things
Red
If you have any of the following:
- Having a seizure
- Sudden onset of severe headache, reaching maximal pain within seconds.
- Experiencing weakness of arm/legs, loss of vision or double vision
- Difficulty waking up / unable to rouse - cannot be woken up at all
- Any change to your speech including slurred speech
- Any change to your thinking including confusion
You need urgent help.
Go to the nearest Hospital Emergency (A&E) Department, phone 999 or call your local Maternity Unit immediately.
Amber
If you have any of the following:
- Persistent severe or moderate headache which is not relieved within 4 hours of paracetamol and ibuprofen (as directed).
- Postural (worse when lying down or sitting up)
- Symptoms/signs of preeclampsia (raised blood pressure, swelling in your face, arms or legs, seeing “flashing lights”)
- Dislike of bright light
- Fever
- Nausea or vomiting
You need to contact your maternity unit or GP today
Please ring your GP surgery, your community midwife service or call NHS 111 - dial 111