Headache during pregnancy and lactation

Abstract

Treating and managing pregnant women with headache is a challenging task. Women who were already prone to headache before becoming pregnant may find headaches worsen, a headache may impact the pregnancy itself, and pharmacotherapy needs to be evaluated in the light of safety concerns both for the mother and the foetus. Any pregnant or postpartum woman presenting with a headache for the first time needs to undergo a diagnostic work-up, including assessment of pregnancy-related conditions that may produce a headache. A woman who is over 20 weeks pregnant and presents with a headache must be carefully assessed to exclude the possibility of underlying pre-eclampsia [1].