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What to do if…
you are pregnant and notice a sudden severe headache or vision changes

Produced and maintained by PanicStation.org Published: Last reviewed: Editorial policy UK guide

Short answer

Treat sudden severe headache or vision changes in pregnancy as urgent. Call your maternity unit now if you have the number; if you cannot reach them, call NHS 111. Call 999 now if symptoms are severe, stroke-like, or you feel seriously unwell or unsafe.

Do not do these things

  • Do not try to sleep it off before getting urgent advice.
  • Do not drive yourself if you have blurred vision, dizziness, faintness, confusion, weakness, or feel unwell.
  • Do not take extra painkillers beyond the label dose, and do not start leftover or new medicines unless a clinician tells you to.
  • Do not assume it is “just migraine” if this feels sudden, severe, unusual, or comes with vision changes.
  • Do not minimise it when you call; say clearly: “I am pregnant and I have a sudden severe headache or vision changes.”

What to do now

  1. Call 999 now if any emergency symptom is happening. This includes fainting, a seizure, weakness or numbness on one side, facial drooping, trouble speaking, severe confusion, severe breathlessness, sudden loss of vision, or the worst sudden headache you have ever had.
  2. If it is not a 999 emergency, call urgent maternity care now. Use the maternity triage, maternity assessment unit, or maternity unit number in your maternity notes or hospital app if you have it. If you cannot find the number or cannot get through, call NHS 111 and say you are pregnant with a sudden severe headache or vision changes.
  3. Use clear words when you speak to someone. Say how many weeks pregnant you are, when it started, whether it came on suddenly, and what the vision change is, such as blurred vision, flashing lights, spots, or partial loss of vision.
  4. Mention any other symptoms. Say if you have pain below your ribs or upper abdomen, vomiting, sudden swelling of your face, hands, feet, or ankles, feeling very unwell, breathlessness, dizziness, or any history of high blood pressure or pre-eclampsia.
  5. If a home blood pressure monitor is right there, take a reading, but do not delay the call. Write down the number and the time, then tell the clinician.
  6. Make waiting safer. Sit or lie on your side, avoid driving, dim bright lights if they worsen symptoms, and ask someone to stay with you or come over.
  7. Be ready to be assessed urgently. Gather your maternity notes, medication and supplement list, any blood pressure readings, your phone, and a charger. If you need childcare, send one simple message or make one quick call, then keep your focus on getting medical advice.

What can wait

  • You do not need to work out whether this is migraine, stress, dehydration, or pre-eclampsia before getting help.
  • You do not need to finish work, chores, errands, or non-urgent appointments first.
  • You do not need to decide now about tests, treatment, admission, or birth plans.
  • You do not need to search for every possible cause online before you call.

Important reassurance

You are not overreacting by asking for urgent help. Sudden severe headache or vision changes in pregnancy are symptoms maternity and urgent care teams want to hear about quickly, even when the cause turns out to be treatable.

Scope note

These are first steps only, to help you get assessed safely and quickly. Later decisions may need advice from maternity triage, a midwife, a doctor, NHS 111, emergency services, or another specialist involved in your care.

Important note

This is general information, not medical advice, diagnosis, or a substitute for urgent assessment. Sudden severe headache or vision changes in pregnancy can be urgent and should be checked immediately by an appropriate UK health service.

Additional Resources

Closely connected guides that may be useful during the same situation or its immediate aftermath.

About this guide

This guide was produced and is maintained by PanicStation.org using its published editorial process. Official and specialist sources are checked where relevant, and AI-assisted tools may be used for drafting, organisation, and consistency checks. The site operator remains responsible for publication, revision, and removal decisions.

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