Headache After C-section – Causes, Symptoms and Treatments

Although a natural birth is always the preferred way to deliver your child, a caesarean delivery may make itself necessary given the presence of certain medical conditions or complications. In this, a small cut is made in the woman’s abdomen that allows the uterus to be opened up and the baby to be delivered. The entire process of caesarean delivery takes around 45 minutes to an hour, although the baby’s delivery is usually completed within the first 20 minutes of the surgery. Prior to the surgery, an anaesthetic is given to the woman via an epidural or by injecting the spinal cord. This regional anaesthesia plays an important role in numbing the lower portion of the body, allowing doctors to conduct the procedure. This is the very reason why many women do tend to experience a spinal headache after a C-section.

What Causes Headache After Caesarean Delivery?

The injection of the anaesthetic in the lower region of the back might cause some pain in that area, but there is a splitting pain that accompanies the head as well as the neck later on. This is the direct result of the anaesthesia that was administered for the procedure. Not all women experience it, but at least one per cent of women opting for caesarean delivery, do. Since the epidural has to be given in the spine, the needle of the injection pretty much ends up puncturing a lot of layers that cover the area. In this procedure, there is a good chance the injection goes deeper than needed and punctures the layer that covers the spinal cord. This leads to the spinal fluid that resides inside it, leaking out and filling the empty areas around the cord. The interaction of this fluid with all the other portions is what causes the headaches to be so strong.

Other Causes of Headache After C-Section

While postpartum headaches are common after a C-section, they are typically associated with the anesthesia or spinal tap used during the procedure. However, there can be other underlying causes contributing to post-C-section headaches. It’s essential to identify these causes for appropriate management and relief.

• Dehydration: Lack of proper hydration can lead to headaches after a C-section.
• Hormonal Changes: Fluctuations in hormone levels post-delivery can trigger headaches.
• Stress and Anxiety: The stress of childbirth and adjusting to the new baby can cause tension headaches.
• Lack of Sleep: Sleep deprivation, common after childbirth, can exacerbate headaches.
• Pre-existing Conditions: Conditions such as migraines or tension headaches may worsen post-C-section due to the stress on the body.

Symptoms of Headache After C-Section Surgery

Identifying these severe headaches after cesarean delivery is not difficult for a pregnant woman since they make themselves easily felt when they begin. These are not immediately observed after the caesarean delivery but take a while to begin. Symptoms of spinal headache after c-section include:

• Mild pain escalating to severe pounding inside the head
• Aggravation of pain upon standing or sitting up
• Difficulty in nursing the child or walking due to exacerbated pain
• Nausea or stomach problems
• Potential indication of a significant puncture in the spinal cord, requiring immediate medical attention.

Treatment for Post C-Section Headache

When it comes to treatment of spinal headaches post cesarean section, lying down on the bed seems to bring a big difference in the severity of the pain as most women have mentioned a reduction in headaches when they lie down. Rest, time and some medication might be required to get relief from it. No general painkillers or headache medication should be self-administered without receiving prior approval from your doctor since the body is just recovering from the delivery and you would be nursing your child soon as well. At times, if the puncture is severe, doctors opt for using a technique called a blood patch to seal off the wound. It entails taking some of your own blood and reinjecting it into the region where the anaesthetic was given originally. This might seem counterproductive but the supply of blood ends up coagulating in the area where the spinal cord is punctured, thus stopping the leaking of the fluid. Women have experienced relief very soon as a result of it.

FAQs

1. How soon after a C-section can headaches start?

Bad headaches may not immediately occur after a C-section but can gradually develop over time, starting from mild pain and escalating to severe pounding inside the head.

2. What exacerbates headaches after a C-section?

Head pain after a c-section can worsen upon standing or sitting up, making it difficult to nurse the child or walk around. Other symptoms like nausea or stomach problems may also accompany the headache.

3. When should I seek medical help for headaches after a C-section?

If headaches after cesarean worsen significantly or are accompanied by symptoms like vomiting or suspicion of a significant puncture in the spinal cord, immediate medical attention is necessary.

A severe headache after a C-section is a problem that plagues some women when they undergo a caesarean delivery. Although it can be quite discomforting, it usually lasts for no more than a week and can be treated with simple rest as well. Giving your newborn the time and attention he needs can help you get your mind off the pain as well.

References/Resources:

1. Cesarean Section; Kaiser Permanente; https://healthy.kaiserpermanente.org/health-wellness/health-encyclopedia/he.cesarean-section.tn8162

2. FAQs: Cesarean Birth; American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists; https://www.acog.org/womens-health/faqs/cesarean-birth

3. Postpartum preeclampsia; Mayo Clinic; https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/postpartum-preeclampsia/symptoms-causes/syc-20376646

4. Tsenov. D, An alternative method for treating headache after spinal anesthesia in cesarean section (Akush Ginekol (Sofiia)); National Library of Medicine; https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9254576/

5. Postpartum Headache; Cleveland Clinic; https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/postpartum-headache

6. Boushra. M, Rathbun. K; Postpartum Headache; National Library of Medicine; https://ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK537101/

7. New moms with migraine: understanding postpartum headache; American Migraine Foundation; https://americanmigrainefoundation.org/resource-library/postpartum-headache/

Also Read:

Back Pain After Pregnancy
Joint Pain Post Delivery
Stomach Pain After Pregnancy
Recovering After a C-Section Delivery
Foods to Eat and Avoid After Caesarean Delivery

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