Postpartum Headaches: What’s Normal and When Should You Worry?

Of all the symptoms I experienced after having my second baby, postpartum headaches were probably one of the most stressful. Not necessarily because the headaches themselves were unbearable, but because I had just delivered early after developing high blood pressure and severe preeclampsia.

By that point, I had been told over and over that a bad headache could be a warning sign. So when my headaches continued after delivery, it was very hard for me to just assume they were from hormones, exhaustion or having a newborn.

My headaches started around the time I went into the hospital to deliver and continued for weeks postpartum. They eventually sent me to a headache clinic and even led to brain MRIs, which thankfully came back normal.

By around six weeks postpartum, they had gradually gone away. But those six weeks taught me something I think every new mom should know: headaches can happen after having a baby, but there are also certain postpartum headaches you should not ignore.

Are Postpartum Headaches Normal?

Headaches can be common during the postpartum period. Your body is going through major hormonal changes while you are also likely sleeping less, eating at strange times, dealing with stress and possibly not drinking as much water as you normally would.

There are also several different types and causes of postpartum headaches. Some can be related to things like hormones, dehydration, lack of sleep or a history of migraines, while others can be associated with an epidural or a medical condition that needs attention.

That is why I do not think postpartum headaches are something you should automatically brush off as just being tired. Most headaches are not caused by something serious, but your symptoms and medical history matter.

Headaches were not the only unexpected symptom I experienced during those first few weeks. I also dealt with pretty intense postpartum night sweats after both pregnancies.

My Experience With Headaches During Pregnancy

Interestingly, my headaches actually started before I was postpartum. During the first trimester of my second pregnancy, I started experiencing headaches even though I had never dealt with them during my first pregnancy.

Those headaches eventually went away during my second trimester and into my third. For a while, headaches were not really something I was thinking about anymore.

Then I developed high blood pressure later in my pregnancy. At that point, my doctors specifically told me that a severe headache could be a warning sign and that I needed to take it seriously.

Right before I ultimately went into the hospital and delivered my daughter early, I developed a bad headache. Suddenly a symptom that had seemed relatively harmless earlier in my pregnancy had a completely different meaning.

My Headache Continued After Delivery

I think I assumed that once I delivered, the headache would disappear along with the pregnancy. Instead, it stuck around for almost a week postpartum.

Because of my recent blood pressure complications, my doctors were monitoring the headache along with my other symptoms. It was one of the reasons I remained in the hospital longer for monitoring.

At one point, my blood pressure medication was changed and the persistent headache seemed to improve afterward. I cannot say that the medication was definitely causing the headache, and I would not want to make that assumption, but I remember noticing an improvement after the switch.

Unfortunately, that was not the end of my headaches. Even after that initial headache improved, I continued getting headaches for several weeks after I went home. At the same time, I was also navigating my C-section recovery, which made those first few weeks feel like a lot physically.

What My Postpartum Headaches Felt Like

My postpartum headaches were mostly concentrated around my forehead and behind my eyes. I would wake up with one almost every morning, which made them especially hard for me to ignore.

Sometimes I would wait it out and the headache would be gone by lunchtime. Other mornings, I would take Excedrin, which was the one thing that reliably helped me.

I wondered whether the headaches could be related to dehydration, lack of sleep or just everything my body had been through, but I never knew for sure what was causing them. They sometimes felt like what I imagined a tension headache might feel like, but I was never diagnosed with tension headaches and did not want to diagnose myself.

The fact that they responded to medication was reassuring based on the instructions my doctors had given me. But because they kept returning morning after morning, I was still concerned.

Why My Postpartum Headaches Scared Me

I had just experienced a serious pregnancy complication, so I was very aware that a headache could mean more than simply being tired. I was also still checking my blood pressure at home, which made me even more focused on every symptom I was experiencing.

My doctors had told me to pay particular attention to a headache that was severe or would not go away with medication. Thankfully, mine consistently improved when I took medication, but the fact that they kept coming back still made me nervous.

I was not sitting at home thinking, this is probably just a normal postpartum headache. I was worried that something could be seriously wrong.

Looking back, I was probably paying extremely close attention to my health during that period, but given what I had just experienced, I think it made sense that I wanted answers.

I Eventually Went to a Headache Clinic

Because the headaches continued for weeks, I kept bringing them up with my OB. Eventually, I was referred to a headache clinic at my hospital so they could look into them further.

That evaluation ultimately led to brain MRIs. I do not remember exactly what every scan was looking for, so I do not want to speculate, but thankfully everything came back normal.

Getting normal results was obviously a huge relief. The headaches did not disappear immediately after that, but they gradually became less frequent and were essentially gone by around six weeks postpartum.

There was never one morning where I woke up and suddenly realized they had disappeared forever. It was more of a gradual improvement until eventually I noticed I was not waking up with headaches anymore.

What Can Cause Headaches After Giving Birth?

There are a lot of possible reasons you might develop headaches after having a baby, and most postpartum headaches are not caused by something dangerous. Hormonal changes, sleep deprivation, dehydration, stress and skipping meals can all contribute to headaches during those first several weeks.

Some people can also develop headaches related to an epidural or spinal anesthesia. Those headaches often have specific characteristics, including becoming worse when sitting or standing and improving when lying down.

There are also more serious causes of postpartum headaches, which is why your doctor may ask about your blood pressure, other symptoms and what the headache actually feels like. Your personal medical history can make a big difference in how a postpartum headache should be evaluated.

Postpartum Headaches and Preeclampsia

This is the section I would have wanted to read when I was Googling postpartum headaches at home. A severe or persistent headache after having a baby can be one of the symptoms of postpartum preeclampsia, particularly when it occurs alongside high blood pressure or other warning signs.

Postpartum preeclampsia is a serious high blood pressure condition that can develop after delivery. It is most common shortly after birth, but it can occur up to six weeks postpartum.

A headache associated with postpartum preeclampsia may be severe and may not improve with pain medication. Other warning signs can include vision changes, swelling, nausea or vomiting, pain near the ribs, shortness of breath or chest pain.

Because I had already experienced high blood pressure and preeclampsia during pregnancy, my doctors were monitoring me closely after delivery. That is also why I was checking my blood pressure at home and taking my recurring headaches seriously.

When Should You Worry About a Postpartum Headache?

This is one symptom where I would rather call my doctor and be told everything is fine than assume a headache is normal postpartum exhaustion. If a headache is severe, sudden, persistent, getting worse or not improving with medication, contact your healthcare provider.

You should also seek medical attention for a postpartum headache accompanied by symptoms such as vision changes, shortness of breath, significant swelling, nausea or vomiting, pain near your ribs, confusion or a seizure. High blood pressure alongside a headache also needs medical attention.

Your own doctor may give you more specific instructions based on your pregnancy and delivery. Mine had specifically told me what kind of headache they wanted me to call about, which gave me a much clearer framework once I was home.

If you recently had a baby and something about your headache feels wrong, you do not need to wait until you can perfectly categorize it. Tell your healthcare provider what you are experiencing and let them decide whether you need to be evaluated.

What Helped My Postpartum Headaches?

For me, Excedrin was the one thing that consistently helped when I needed medication. There were mornings when I tried to wait the headache out, and sometimes it would gradually disappear by lunchtime without me taking anything.

I also wondered whether hydration, sleep and everything else going on postpartum were contributing, although I cannot say for sure. With a newborn and my own recovery happening at the same time, there were plenty of reasons my body could have been under stress.

Medication safety can depend on your individual health history and whether you are breastfeeding, so I would ask your own healthcare provider what they recommend taking for postpartum headaches. What worked for me is not necessarily the right medication for everyone.

There were also a handful of postpartum recovery essentials that made those first few weeks at home more comfortable while my body recovered.

How Long Did My Postpartum Headaches Last?

Mine continued on and off for about six weeks postpartum. They were much more concerning in the beginning and gradually became less frequent as the weeks went on.

By around six weeks, I realized they were essentially gone. That gradual improvement was reassuring, especially after my MRIs had come back normal and I had been evaluated by the headache clinic.

Interestingly, six weeks is also roughly the traditional postpartum recovery period. Headaches often become less frequent as your body moves further out from delivery, although there is no exact timeline that applies to everyone.

What I Wish I Knew About Postpartum Headaches

I wish I had understood that two things can be true at the same time. Headaches can happen during postpartum recovery for plenty of nonemergency reasons, and a postpartum headache can also sometimes be a warning sign that deserves medical attention.

Because of my pregnancy complications, I was terrified that my headaches meant something was seriously wrong. That worry ultimately sent me down a rabbit hole of appointments and brain scans, but I am grateful that I spoke up about what I was experiencing and got evaluated.

I would never tell another new mom to assume a headache is just dehydration, hormones or lack of sleep, especially if it feels severe or different from what she normally experiences. I also would not want someone to panic every time her head hurts after having a baby.

For me, the answer was to keep communicating with my doctors, follow the warning signs they had given me and get evaluated when the headaches kept happening. Thankfully, my scans were normal and the headaches gradually went away by around six weeks postpartum.

FAQs About Postpartum Headaches

Are headaches normal after giving birth?

Headaches can occur during the postpartum period and can have many possible causes, including hormonal changes, dehydration, stress and lack of sleep. Most postpartum headaches are not serious, but severe or persistent headaches can sometimes be a sign of a medical problem and should not be ignored.

How long do postpartum headaches last?

There is no single timeline that applies to everyone because it depends on what is causing the headache. My headaches continued on and off for several weeks and gradually disappeared by around six weeks postpartum.

Can dehydration cause postpartum headaches?

Dehydration can contribute to headaches, and it can be easy to forget to drink enough water while recovering from delivery and caring for a newborn. However, you should not automatically assume that dehydration is causing a severe or persistent postpartum headache.

Can lack of sleep cause postpartum headaches?

Lack of sleep and stress can contribute to headaches, both of which are obviously common when you have a newborn. But if your headache is severe, unusual, persistent or accompanied by other concerning symptoms, contact your healthcare provider.

Can postpartum preeclampsia cause headaches?

Yes. Headache can be a symptom of postpartum preeclampsia, a serious high blood pressure condition that can develop after delivery and up to six weeks postpartum. A severe or persistent headache, especially with high blood pressure, vision changes or other concerning symptoms, needs medical attention.

When should I call my doctor about a postpartum headache?

Contact your healthcare provider if your headache is severe, sudden, persistent, worsening or not responding to medication. You should also seek care if it occurs with symptoms such as high blood pressure, vision changes, significant swelling, shortness of breath, chest pain, pain near your ribs, confusion or seizures.

Sources

• Cleveland Clinic, Postpartum Headache

• Cleveland Clinic, Postpartum Preeclampsia

• Cleveland Clinic, Preeclampsia

  
  

Disclaimer

This article shares my personal postpartum experience and is for informational purposes only. It is not medical advice and should not replace guidance from your doctor or another qualified healthcare provider. Seek medical attention for a severe, persistent or otherwise concerning headache after giving birth, particularly if it occurs with high blood pressure or other warning signs.