Postpartum Headache

Adv Emerg Nurs J. 2017 Oct/Dec;39(4):258-265. doi: 10.1097/TME.0000000000000162.

Abstract

Approximately 40% of all women report experiencing headaches during the postpartum period, regardless of a previous headache history. This case narrative describes the clinical case of a 22-year-old woman who presented for the evaluation of an intractable headache for 2½ weeks. It demonstrates the inherent difficulty in diagnosing patients not presenting with "textbook" symptoms and highlights the fact that signs and symptoms of eclampsia/preeclampsia, such as elevated blood pressure, may fall below the threshold for hypertensive emergencies and not be considered in the differential. Emergency department providers must possess a strong knowledge base and skill set to recognize subtle presentations and direct care accordingly to ensure positive patient outcomes.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Analgesics / therapeutic use*
  • Antihypertensive Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Atenolol / therapeutic use*
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Drug Therapy, Combination
  • Female
  • Headache / diagnosis*
  • Headache / drug therapy*
  • Humans
  • Magnesium Sulfate / therapeutic use*
  • Pain Management / methods*
  • Pain Measurement
  • Postpartum Period*
  • Pre-Eclampsia / diagnosis*
  • Pre-Eclampsia / drug therapy*
  • Pregnancy
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Analgesics
  • Antihypertensive Agents
  • Atenolol
  • Magnesium Sulfate