Pregnancy What Causes Postpartum Headaches, and Can You Prevent Them? Headaches are common after giving birth. Learn about postpartum headaches, including causes, treatments, and prevention. By Donna Murray, RN, BSN Updated on July 8, 2024 Medically reviewed by Alyssa Dweck, MS, MD, FACOG In This Article View All In This Article Symptoms Causes Treatment Complications When To Call the Doctor Prevention Close After nine months of pregnancy, it’s exciting to meet your new baby. It’s also a relief to finally say goodbye to some of those annoying pregnancy symptoms. Unfortunately, you may be saying hello to some new discomforts, including postpartum headaches. Common in the first six weeks following childbirth, postpartum headaches are usually fleeting. But in rare cases, they could be a sign of a bigger issue. Here’s what to know about postpartum headaches, including what causes them, how to get relief, and how to prevent them from hampering quality time with your new baby. Parents / Ellen Lindner Postpartum Headache Symptoms Studies show that one-third of new parents report a headache in the week following childbirth. Tension headaches and migraines, in particular, are common as you recover from delivery. Different types of postpartum headaches will have different symptoms. Tension headache The following symptoms are common with tension headaches: Ache that comes on slowlyDiscomfort on both sides of the head that may also involve the back of the head or neckFeels like a tight band around the headMild to moderate pain Migraine headache Sometimes it's not easy to tell the difference between a bad tension headache and a migraine. But a migraine often features: Throbbing on one side of the headNausea with or without vomitingSensitivity to light and soundVision changes such as flashing lights or spotsSevere pain Causes of Postpartum Headaches Most postpartum headaches are no different than regular headaches, but changes in your body and lifestyle may trigger them. Some typical triggers for postpartum headaches include: Hormones: In the postpartum period, estrogen levels drop dramatically. At the same time, in the early weeks of breastfeeding, oxytocin and prolactin surge. These hormonal fluctuations may lead to headaches. A steady level can keep hormone-related head pain at bay. Some migraine sufferers find relief in pregnancy, when estrogen levels are high, but have headaches in the postpartum period when they drop again. Breast engorgement: A headache can also develop if your breasts become engorged during breastfeeding. Engorged breasts become hard, swollen, and overfull. The swelling may even extend into the armpit. If untreated, engorgement can sometimes lead to a breast infection called mastitis. One of the symptoms of mastitis is overall body aches, which can include headaches. Stress: The postpartum period can be stressful and overwhelming. Stress and worry can lead to tense muscles and a headache. Exhaustion: When you’re a new parent healing from childbirth, taking care of a newborn, and adjusting to your baby’s schedule, it can be exhausting. Fatigue and lack of sleep are headache triggers. New parents are often tired and sleep-deprived, so it’s no wonder fatigue is so common in the postpartum period. Not enough food and water: It’s easy to ignore your hunger, skip meals, or forget to drink enough liquids when you’re caring for a newborn. If you don't take in enough fluids through the foods you eat and beverages you drink, you can become dehydrated, which can lead to irritability, exhaustion, dizziness, and, yes, headaches. Similarly, if you don't eat enough, your blood sugar levels can drop, which can cause headaches. But even short-term dehydration and malnutrition can cause a headache. Muscle Strain: If you choose to breastfed your newborn, it can cause soreness and pain in the neck or upper back, and this kind of strain commonly leads to headaches. Looking down at your baby, maintaining an uncomfortable position for a long time, and holding your baby in an awkward position can all lead to back and neck pain. Postpartum Headache Treatment There's no reason to suffer through a postpartum headache. Try these natural and medical treatments to relieve the pain, so you can spend more time bonding with your baby! Lifestyle changes Some lifestyle tweaks can help an aching head feel better. Here are some non-pharmacological remedies that may ease postpartum headache pain: Rest. Turn off the lights, park your phone out of reach, and get comfortable in a dark, quiet room. Sleep may be hard to come by, but a simple rest break can be healing. Have a drink of water and eat something. Drink plenty of water throughout the day to stay hydrated, especially if you're breastfeeding or chestfeeding. Eating a small, healthy snack, especially if you haven't eaten in a while, may help, too. When you get a headache, try drinking a glass of water first to see if your symptoms subside. Have a little caffeine. Caffeine is a drug that can treat headaches; it's even an ingredient in some over-the-counter headache medicines. Consider grabbing a cup of coffee or some caffeinated tea if you feel a headache coming on. (While you don't want to overdo it, consuming caffeine in moderation is OK when you're breastfeeding.) Relieve breast pain: If you are breastfeeding you can feed your baby or pump your breasts to relieve engorgement. Between feedings, a cold compress may relieve pain and swelling. Relax. Postpartum yoga, meditation, stretching exercises, or a warm bath or shower can help you relax and ease muscle tension. Use warm and cold towels. Place a warm or cold compress on your head. Use what works best for you or alternate between warm and cold. Relieve muscle strain: If your muscle hurt while breastfeeding, pay attention to the strain and discomfort, and don’t ignore it. Shift your position and get up and stretch. Ask for help. Don't be shy about calling a family member or friend to babysit. You'll feel much better if you can get a little rest and have a few moments to take care of yourself. Medications You can try to get through an occasional postpartum headache without taking any medicine. However, some headaches and migraines may be just too much to bear. If you need relief, you don't have to suffer. Some of the options are: Tylenol (acetaminophen) Motrin or Advil (ibuprofen) Aleve (naproxen) Aspirin Prescription medications for pain, nausea, or other symptoms An over-the-counter pain reliever is usually strong enough for most headaches, but you may need a prescription if you experience migraines. Talk to a Health Care Provider Talk to your doctor, especially if you're breastfeeding, before using any medication. You want to be sure you're choosing one that's safe for you and your baby. Postpartum Headache Complications A postpartum headache is usually normal and harmless, but in some cases, it can be a symptom of another condition. Things like allergies, hay fever, and sinus infections can cause pain and pressure in your head. You can also develop what is known as a spinal headache if you had an epidural or a spinal block during delivery. If you’re having severe or frequent headaches, consult your doctor. They may want to order some tests, such as: BloodworkCT scanMRIOther tests A severe postpartum headache can be a sign of the following postpartum complications. Spinal headache A spinal or postdural puncture headache (PDPH) develops when fluid from your spine leaks out of the spot where your epidural was placed. You may have head pain that feels worse when standing or sitting upright. People who have PDPH may also experience nausea, neck pain, dizziness, and blurred vision. Rest, IV fluids, caffeine, or medication can help to relieve the pain. An anesthesia headache may go away on its own, but if it continues, you may need a blood patch. A blood patch is a surgery that injects your blood into the puncture site to stop the spinal fluid from leaking. Preeclampsia Preeclampsia happens when your blood pressure spikes and you develop protein in your urine after 20 weeks of pregnancy or just after childbirth. Studies show that preeclampsia occurs in 1 in 25 pregnancies in the U.S. The signs of postpartum preeclampsia include a severe headache, high blood pressure, vision changes, and swelling in the body. If you experience any of these symptoms, call your doctor or seek medical care right away. Doctors treating postpartum preeclampsia will focus on bringing down your blood pressure and preventing the seizures that blood pressure spikes may cause. When To Call the Doctor When paired with other symptoms, severe headaches may warrant immediate medical help. Rarely, headaches can be a sign of serious conditions that may be unrelated to pregnancy, including stroke, bacterial meningitis, or certain types of tumors. Seek immediate medical attention if you have terrible head pain that lasts longer than 24 hours or is accompanied by one or more of the following symptoms: High feverStiff neckNausea and vomitingDizzinessBlurry visionSeizures Generally, if you’re getting headaches more often or they’re worse than usual, it’s time to notify the doctor. They may want to perform some tests and connect you with a neurologist. How To Prevent Postpartum Headaches After having a baby, taking the time to care for yourself is easier said than done. But thoughtful approaches can lower your risk of headaches and better equip you to be the best parent you can be. Here are a few things you can try to avoid postpartum headaches: Stay away from triggers. Headache triggers aren't always obvious, but if you can figure out whether any particular foods, plants, or smells tend to bring on a headache, you can try to avoid them. Pay attention to your diet. Hunger, low blood sugar, and dehydration can cause a headache, so don't skip meals and drink plenty of fluids. Try to eat at least three well-balanced meals a day (a postpartum meal delivery service can help) and keep your refrigerator, pantry, and diaper bag stocked with easy snacks. Have a bottle of water to sip throughout the day and stay hydrated. Try to rest. Is it difficult with a newborn? Yes. But, do your best to get some extra rest by going to bed earlier, grabbing a nap during the day when the baby is sleeping, or asking your partner, family member, or friend to stay with the baby for a few hours. Some experts suggest napping when the baby naps. Lower your stress. Use some relaxation techniques to help you reduce stress and relax. You can listen to music, talk to friends, enjoy some relaxing postpartum stretches or yoga, practice meditation, or engage in safe activities and hobbies that you enjoy. Engage in regular physical activity. Of course, you need to start slowly after having a baby, but exercise is healthy for your body and mind. Studies show that regular exercise can lead to having migraines less often or migraines that aren't as severe. Watch your posture. Poor posture can strain the muscles in your back and neck. You can help to avoid that tension by sitting and standing up straight with your shoulders back. Take care of your eyes. If you spend a lot of time reading or in front of a screen, take frequent breaks to prevent eye strain. You can also make an appointment with your eye doctor to see if you need glasses or an adjustment in your current vision prescription. Try alternative approaches. Alternative care such as massage, chiropractic care, or acupuncture may help to relieve and prevent headaches. Just be sure to choose a licensed professional for all your natural health care needs. Make healthy lifestyle choices. Limit alcohol consumption and avoid smoking and drugs. Talk to a counselor or therapist. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, anxious, or depressed, talk to your doctor or another health professional. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit Sources Parents uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Postpartum Headache: Diagnosis and Treatment. BJA Education. 2022. Headache and Pregnancy: A Systematic Review. Journal of Headache Pain. 2017. Tension Headache. National Library of Medicine. 2021. Sleep features and central sensitization symptoms in primary headache patients. The Journal of Headache and Pain. 2014. Association between Malnutrition and Migraine Risk Assessed Using Objective Nutritional Indices. Nutrients. 2023. Maternal Diet. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 2024. 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