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What to do if…
you develop a new severe headache shortly after giving birth

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

Short answer

A new severe headache after giving birth needs medical care immediately. Call 911 now if the pain is sudden and extreme, or if you have weakness, numbness, trouble speaking, confusion, vision changes, fainting, a seizure, chest pain, or trouble breathing.

Do not do these things

  • Do not dismiss a new, severe, or quickly worsening headache as normal recovery.
  • Do not drive yourself if you feel faint, confused, unsteady, or severely unwell.
  • Do not take more pain medicine than the label or your clinician’s instructions allow.
  • Do not assume the headache is only a migraine or only related to an epidural.
  • Do not stay alone with the baby if you feel at risk of fainting, becoming confused, or being unable to hold the baby safely.

What to do now

  1. Get urgent medical help.

    • Call 911 now if the headache started suddenly and is extreme, or if you have weakness, numbness, trouble speaking, confusion, fainting, a seizure, chest pain, or trouble breathing.
    • If you are stable but the headache is new and severe, call your OB-GYN team or delivering hospital only if you can speak to someone immediately. Say: “I recently gave birth and I have a new severe headache.”
    • Go to the nearest ER if you cannot get immediate instructions. Do not wait for a callback.

  2. Make the next few minutes safer.

    • Ask another adult to stay with you and care for the baby.
    • If you feel faint or unsteady, place the baby somewhere safe, such as a crib or bassinet, and sit or lie down somewhere safe.
    • Do not carry the baby while standing if you feel faint, confused, or unsteady.

  3. Share the symptoms that may affect urgency.

    • Say how many hours, days, or weeks it has been since you gave birth.
    • Say whether the headache started suddenly, is getting worse, or feels unusually severe.
    • Mention any vision changes, dizziness, fainting, weakness, numbness, speech difficulty, confusion, swelling of your face or hands, upper belly pain, nausea, vomiting, fever, chest pain, or trouble breathing.
    • Mention any history of high blood pressure during pregnancy, preeclampsia, or current blood-pressure medicine.

  4. Check your blood pressure only if you already have a cuff and it will not delay care.

    • Write down the reading or take a photo of it.
    • Tell the clinician the result.
    • Do not delay calling for help if you cannot take a reading.

  5. Mention any epidural or spinal anesthesia.

    • Tell the clinician if you had an epidural or spinal.
    • Say whether the headache is worse when sitting or standing and improves when lying down.
    • Ask whether the anesthesia team needs to be involved. Do not assume this explains a new severe headache.

  6. Call 911 if symptoms worsen while you are arranging care.

    • Stop packing or waiting for instructions if you develop sudden vision changes, weakness, numbness, trouble speaking, confusion, fainting, a seizure, chest pain, or trouble breathing.

What can wait

  • You do not need to work out the cause yourself.
  • You do not need to research every possible explanation.
  • You do not need to decide about later appointments or paperwork now.
  • You do not need to make feeding decisions before getting medical help.

Important reassurance

Seeking urgent care for a new severe headache after giving birth is appropriate. There are treatable causes, and getting assessed promptly is the safest next step.

Scope note

These are first steps only. Later decisions may need guidance from your medical team.

Important note

This is general information, not medical advice or a diagnosis. If you feel in immediate danger or develop emergency symptoms, call 911.

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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