Headache During Pregnancy

Headache in pregnancy is a common problem but diagnosis and management can be challenging. Most headaches in pregnant women are either migraine or tension types and can be easily treated. Rarely, the headache in a pregnant patient signals a life-threatening condition. Obstetricians should be able to effectively manage the common causes of headache as well as recognize the warning signs of potentially serious conditions. Diagnosis and management should be systematic yet individualized. Target Audience: Obstetricians and Gynecologists, Family Physicians Learning Objectives: After completion of this article, the reader will be able to list the various types of headaches that occur during pregnancy, to describe the features that are characteristic of the more common types of headaches, and to outline a treatment strategy for headaches during pregnancy.