Your life must have changed a lot after your little one came into this world, right? Along with that joy, sometimes minor health problems can arise. One such thing is the headache that comes after having a baby, that is, postpartum headache . Many new mothers have this experience. So before you get scared about it, let's talk about it in a few details.
Is it normal to have a headache after having a baby?
Yes, it's actually quite common to get headaches during the first six weeks after having a baby (this is also called the postpartum period). Just think about how your body goes through many changes to get back to its pre-pregnancy state. Some of these changes can make you more likely to get headaches.
Besides, taking care of a newborn baby isn't easy. With all the new responsibilities like nighttime naps, stress when your baby cries, and diaper changes, headaches can be a real pain. But the good news is that headaches usually subside after the postpartum period. In the meantime, there are things you can do to manage them.
What are the types of postpartum headaches?
Most of the time, after having a baby, we get the same types of headaches that we usually get: tension headaches and migraines . Cluster headaches are a little less common, but they can happen. As annoying as this pain can be, most of the time it's not serious.
Simply put, even if you feel a throbbing, throbbing, or constricting pain inside your head, it is usually not a serious condition.
Sometimes, if you have an epidural to relieve pain during childbirth, you may get a headache called a spinal headache . While most people can manage this at home, in some cases, treatment may be necessary.
However, sometimes these headaches can be a sign of a more serious condition that requires emergency medical attention. This is called postpartum preeclampsia. In this case, you may experience a severe (often throbbing) headache and vision changes. These symptoms usually start within 48 hours of giving birth. However, they can sometimes start as late as six weeks. These headaches are not relieved by painkillers such as acetaminophen (e.g. Panadol).
If you have symptoms of postpartum preeclampsia, you should go to the emergency room immediately. This can be life-threatening if not treated quickly.
How many people experience this condition?
Roughly speaking, about 40% of people experience headaches in the first few weeks after having a baby. Most of the time, these are annoying, but not serious.
About half of women who have had migraines before pregnancy continue to have them after giving birth. This is also common in women who have menstrual migraines. These symptoms often subside in the second and third trimesters of pregnancy and then return after giving birth.
What are the symptoms of postpartum headache?
These symptoms may vary depending on the type of headache:
- Tension headache: A mild to moderate pain that feels like pressure on both sides of the head. It may feel like a band is being tied around the head.
- Migraine: A severe, throbbing pain on one side of the head (or sometimes both sides). This may be accompanied by nausea, vomiting, and sensitivity to light and sound.
- Cluster headache: A severe, burning, stabbing pain that starts behind one eye and spreads to the surrounding area.
- Spinal headache: A dull or throbbing pain that worsens when sitting or standing and is relieved when lying down.
When should we worry about this headache? - Warning signs!
As we mentioned earlier, most tension headaches and migraines are not serious. However, if you have a sudden, severe headache accompanied by other unusual symptoms, it could be a sign of a more serious condition, such as postpartum preeclampsia or a blood clot in the brain.
Here are some signs to definitely keep an eye out for:
- Blurred vision or sensitivity to light. You may see dots or floaters in front of your eyes.
- Mood changes, confusion, or a feeling of brain fog.
- Swelling of the face, hands, feet, or body.
- Nausea and vomiting.
- Pain, usually in the ribs.
- Difficulty breathing.
- Seizure.
If you have any of these symptoms, go to a hospital emergency room immediately. This is very important!
Why does my head hurt after having this baby? What are the causes?
There can be several causes of postpartum headaches:
- Decreased hormone levels: Hormone levels, such as estrogen , which increase during pregnancy, return to normal within six weeks after delivery. For many people, headaches decrease during the second and third trimesters of pregnancy due to this increase in estrogen. This sudden drop in estrogen after delivery can be a cause of headaches, especially migraines.
- Challenges of taking care of a baby: When taking care of a new baby, you may not have time to eat, drink, or sleep properly. The stress of a crying baby and the constant worry about your baby's needs can all contribute to a headache. Imagine how your head feels if you can't sleep properly for two or three nights.
- Epidural: Sometimes a small amount of cerebrospinal fluid can leak out during an epidural injection. This loss of fluid can cause pressure around the brain to change, which can cause a headache. If you are at risk for this side effect when you are given an epidural, the medical staff should inform you.
During pregnancy, your body changes, and you may be more susceptible to serious conditions that are not just a symptom of a headache. For example, during pregnancy, your blood vessels change to provide the necessary blood supply to your baby. This can increase your risk of postpartum preeclampsia. You may also be at higher risk of having a stroke shortly after giving birth. Headaches are a common symptom of both conditions.
How does a doctor recognize this?
Your doctor will first determine whether you have a common headache, such as a tension headache or migraine, or whether it is a symptom of a more serious condition. He or she will ask you about when the headache started, where the pain is, and how long it has been going on.
If your doctor suspects that your headache is a symptom of a serious condition, they may perform a neurological exam or imaging tests (e.g., CT scan, MRI scan). They may also order blood tests.
What can be done to treat this headache?
Treatment for postpartum headaches is similar to treatment for any other headache. Here are some things you can do:
- Taking painkillers: Medications such as acetaminophen (e.g., Panadol) and NSAIDs (e.g. , ibuprofen , naproxen sodium) can help relieve headache symptoms. However, if you are breastfeeding, be sure to ask your doctor about which medications are safe. For example, painkillers called aspirin and triptans can pass through breast milk to your baby. Depending on the dosage, these may be unsafe for your baby. So, consult your doctor.
- Hot or cold therapy: You can relieve pain by applying an ice pack or a heating pad to the painful area. Experiment to see what works best for you.
- Take care of your basic needs: After having a baby, think about your health. That means eating nutritious meals on time, drinking at least 8 glasses of water a day, and getting at least 7 hours of sleep. This may seem like a dream, but try to sleep when your baby sleeps as much as possible.
- Stress Management: Find ways to manage stress that work for you. Sometimes things like massage, mindfulness , and yoga can help. Often, the problem is that you need extra help. This is the time to ask for help from your family and friends. Even a little help can go a long way.
Treatment for headaches caused by epidural injections
This spinal headache may require a treatment called an epidural blood patch . This involves sealing the hole where the epidural is inserted with a blood clot. This stops the fluid from leaking.
What can you expect with this headache?
Headaches are usually most common in the first week after having a baby. For most people, these will subside after the first six weeks. The important thing is to give your body and mind time to adjust to these big changes.
Can Postpartum Headache be Prevented?
Not always. There's nothing you can do about the hormonal changes that increase your risk of headaches. But you can prevent headaches that are caused by lifestyle factors, like neglecting your health while taking care of a newborn.
However, this is not as easy as it sounds.
Sometimes it's best to plan ahead. Keep a snack handy for when you feel hungry and have a headache. Keep a doctor-approved painkiller handy so you can take it as soon as your headache starts.
What questions should you ask the doctor?
You can ask your doctor these questions:
- What is the most likely cause of my headache?
- What type of headache do I have?
- What kind of treatment do you recommend?
- What kind of painkiller should I try first?
- How can I identify and avoid my headache triggers?
It's hard to think about your own health when you're caring for a newborn. But by doing so, you can prevent the pain that makes caring for your baby even more difficult.
Finally, remember this.
Although headaches are common after giving birth, if they bother you, you should definitely see a doctor. Especially if you have severe headaches along with warning signs of postpartum preeclampsia (such as blurred vision and swelling), go to the hospital immediately without delay.
Taking care of your health is important for you and your little one. Reduce stress, seek help if needed, and keep your doctor-approved medications safe for you and your baby (if you're breastfeeding). Even though this is a challenging time, remember that you're not alone.
` Postpartum Headache, Headache after childbirth, Migraine, Postpartum Headache, Preeclampsia, Headache treatment
💬 අදහස් (0)
තවමත් කිසිදු අදහසක් පළ කර නොමැත. ඔබේ අදහස පළමු වරට මෙහි එක් කරන්න.
ඔබේ අදහස එක් කරන්න